Varieties and use of wood screws

Currently, there are a huge number of screws for different purposes, but if you need a device specifically designed for woodworking, then it is better to know in advance everything about the varieties and applications. wood screws.

Wood screws quite often it can be confused with similar types of fasteners. The reason is that they look similar, so it is not always possible to tell at first glance what is in front of you. However, upon close inspection, a significant difference becomes noticeable, and this is the main criterion when choosing a screw.

In appearance this kind of device looks like a cylindrical mount with a thread applied in a certain way. With the help of this thread, it is convenient to make rotational movements, therefore according to GOST, wood screws have their own distinctive features, with the help of which they are easy to recognize:

• the dimensions of such fasteners are somewhat smaller than that of a standard bolt - if you put them side by side, it is noticeable that the leg of the wood screw is shorter;
• the head has a rounded shape, while in other fasteners it is semi-oval;
• the head has a hexagon thread so that it can be conveniently turned with a wrench, and the diameter of the bolt itself is slightly larger than the diameter of the screw;
• the head has a hole into which you can insert a standard screwdriver;
• at the self-tapping screw, the thread extends to the edges of the cap, and the thread itself is quite sharp.

If you refer to the definition from an official document, then you can easily understand how to recognize a screw among all other types of fasteners. It says that a screw is a special fastening device with a rod and an external thread, while it has a threaded conical end and a head on the other side of the product.

Screws come in different sizes, which fit in the table below.

If we refer to such official documents, then according to the information described in them, screws also have a special division into the following sizes:

If we talk about varieties, then the screws are divided into several types, among which the following are the most popular:

• structural, one of the most durable, which is designed to interconnect certain structures, is able to withstand quite a lot of pressure;
• double-sided, which is intended mostly to support a structure that is attached to one side, while the other side is often kept screwed into one or another surface;
• self-tapping screw, which is a combination of a classic screw and a self-tapping screw, and this design combines the best qualities of one and the other product for fasteners;
• long, which is intended to secure this or that device or structure of a large mass, or having a thick and long surface;
• with a press washer, often a sharp screw made of zinc, excellent for fastening particularly durable surfaces;
• black, made mainly of carbon steel, due to which this type of fastener is one of the most durable, it is used to fix gypsum fiber sheets, as well as for wood or drywall;
• for fastening wooden logs that have a tendency to accumulate condensation, therefore, they need a strong fastening, and screws of this type are excellent for such work;
• for balusters, it is mainly made two-sided, made of steel or iron, can be used not only for its intended purpose, but also for fixing various kinds of wood;
• galvanized, these screws are coated with a layer of zinc, which increases the strength indicators, and is also able to withstand large and heavy structures.

Screws also differ in head shape. Among the most famous are the following:

• with a countersunk head, when the head itself does not protrude much, but is slightly concave inside the screw;
• with a semicircular head, when semi-oval features are outwardly visible;
• with a half-countersunk head;
• with a hex head;
• with a square head;
• with an internal hexagon.

Especially for the hexagon, it is necessary to select and instruments, with which you will work with similar types of fasteners. This classification must also be taken into account because:

• the first two varieties are designed to secure fittings;
• a screw with a half-countersunk head is perfect if you want to work with fittings with widened holes;
• the caps also indicate which screwdriver will be most suitable for working with this type of fastener, so if the head has a straight hole, then it is better to use an exclusively flat screwdriver here.

From this position, the screws are distinguished as follows:

• galvanized, which are intended for woodworking and are presented on store shelves mainly in gold and silver shades;
• black phosphated, which are created from special oxide steel, have a cruciform recess, mainly used for rougher work;
• yellow passable, which have the same purpose and look the same as galvanized ones.

In terms of thread, screws differ as follows:

• full thread, which means the passage of the thread from the sharp end to the outer border, sometimes it even reaches the head itself;
• incomplete thread, which does not reach the head, but ends at a distance of a few millimeters from it.

The classification does not only include thread type, material or color. Screws also differ in other properties, among which they are called:

• a mirror screw, which differs from the classic one in that a cap of a semicircular or flat format is put on it;
• double, which can be screwed into one or another surface on both sides, is considered a universal fastener;
• key, which is intended to fasten two parts together as tightly as possible;
• wood grouse, which is quite often used on wood, initially it was intended exclusively for plumbing work, but later it began to be widely used for various work with wood surfaces;
• screw for tin, which is used not only for woodwork, but also for fastening several tin parts, it also easily holds together a metal and plastic surface.

Currently, there is another type of wood screw - anchor, which is mainly used for working on marble, as well as other types of natural or artificial stone.

There are several factors to consider when choosing the right screw for your job.

1. If aesthetics are important to you, it is best to purchase a chromatic head screw, as it will not spoil the appearance of the fixed object, but will only add a little elegance.
2. If you need to do a little work, then you absolutely do not need expensive screws - it is better to choose black phosphated ones. However, here the aesthetic component is already receding into the background, nevertheless, this type of screw will help to fix the structure in such a way that it will serve you for a long time.
3. If you plan to fix a certain structure in a room with high humidity, then it is also worth choosing black phosphated ones, since they are more resistant to this factor.
4. In almost any room, you can use galvanized, both golden and silver shades, since they are universal.

Installation consists of two stages: calculation and technology. At the first stage, you need to determine how many screws are required in the work, and at the second - how exactly to fix the structure. It is necessary to take into account a lot of features, including what kind of hole you need to make, how you need to fix what you have in mind, how to fix it - screw it in without a screwdriver, or, in this case, rationally tighten it with a screwdriver.

In order to produce calculation of the number of screws, it is enough to find a special calculator on the net that will help you find the exact figure. To do this, enter the following data in the field:

• type of screw (or any other fastening material);
• the length and width of the materials and surfaces to be bonded.

Installation technology takes place in several stages.

1. Before screwing in the screw, make the markings, then make a small hole.
2. The screwdriver used must match the thread on the screw head.
3. Next, screw in the screw with or without pre-drilling.
4. If the parts have a small hole, then it is necessary to make a preliminary through hole with a drill, which will be slightly larger than the intended circle.
5. If the parts, on the contrary, have a large thickness, then you will need to make a blind hole slightly smaller than the diameter of the screw.
6. If you are working with plywood or other thin wood, then you need to make the hole yourself with your hands. However, if the tree is dense enough, then you will need to use a drill.

So wood screws differ not only in classification, but also in the type of use.

For information on how to choose the right self-tapping screw for wood, see the next video.