6 Types of Screws Every DIYer Needs To Know
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Wood Screws
Wood screws, popular with DIYers, join two wood pieces together. “If you need screws that work well for woodworking, you need sharp models with a wedge-shaped shank,” Chapman says.
Wood screws have a semi-threaded shank and are available in various of lengths, sizes and drive types. #8 screws are standard and work well for most wood projects. Select a screw with a length that will penetrate half the thickness of the bottom material when fastening wood.
A great choice for a standard wood screw is the Hillman #8 x 1-1/4-in. Silver Zinc-Plated Flat Interior Wood Screw. This is a good size for joining 1x2s and works great for interior woodworking projects.
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Pocket Hole Screws
Pocket hole screws fasten wood together in a pre-drilled pocket hole. Pocket holes are typically used when building furniture and cabinets because they can be hidden. When used with a pocket hole jig, they provide one of the most secure ways to join materials. The screw has a self-tapping tip that drills its own hole, so there’s no need to drill pilot holes before joining two pieces of material.
The square drive of this screw securely fits a driver (drill bit or screwdriver) and eliminates stripping, even with a fast spinning drill. Due to its square shape the driver is unlikely to slip out of the recessed head of the screw. Because pocket screws are hidden inside of pre-drilled pocket holes, it’s important for them to be strip-proof, because it’s difficult to retrieve a stripped screw from inside a pocket hole.
The flat, washer-style head provides a cushion on the wood. It’s designed to avoid over-drilling and countersinking in soft materials
The Kreg pocket hole screw starter kit includes various types of pocket screws for multiple applications.
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Drywall Screws
Drywall screws join drywall directly to wood or metal studs. They feature a coarse thread and flat tip that make the screws easier to countersink just below the surface of the drywall. That makes it easy to conceal the screw when finishing the drywall. Drywall screws provide a stronger hold than a drywall nail.
Purchase 1-1/4-in. #6 drywall screws when attaching standard 1/2-inch-thick drywall to wood studs. Use 1-5/8-in. screws when attaching standard 5/8-inch-thick drywall to ceilings studs. These screw lengths ensure the screw drives completely through the drywall and into at least half the thickness of a standard stud to provide a secure hold.
Grip-Rite’s drywall screws are best sellers. They come in 1-1/4-in. and 1-5/8-in. lengths.
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