Article Name: Woodworking Screws - Which Screws Do I Really Need?
Word Count:709
Author: Andy Duframe
Link Reference: https://www.ezwoodshop.com
Article Summary: Whenever I shop for wood screws I’m always amazed at the number of fasteners I see on the shelf. My local hardware store has literally hundreds of different styles of screws, designed for any and every purpose I can imagine. As much as I like variety, do I really need that many different wood screws in my shop?
Whenever I shop for wood screws I’m always amazed at the number of fasteners I see on the shelf. My local hardware store has literally hundreds of different styles of screws, designed for any and every purpose I can imagine. As much as I like variety, do I really need that many different wood screws in my shop?
Probably not. If I think about the type of projects I build, most have the same, basic structure. I use inexpensive pine boards and plywood from a home center, and usually end up building something that resembles a box -- with four sides, a top, and a bottom. If I think about the fasteners I typically use, I can narrow down the list to just a handful of different sizes -- which seem to do the job for just about any project I want to take on.
Face Joints vs End Joints
Probably the most important factor to consider when choosing a wood screw is the type of joint your are using. In particular, I'm talking about the difference between face joints and end joints. Face joints, which bring together the face grain of two boards (the top/bottom surfaces), are one of the strongest types of joint you can make. That’s because face grain is typically the strongest part of a board, and as a result, does the best job of gripping the threads of a screw. That means you can get by using a relatively short wood screw to hold everything together.
In contrast, end joints, which bring together the end grain of boards, tend to be somewhat weaker than face joints. The wood fibers are less dense and are prone to splitting and breaking. As a result, you’ll need a longer size wood screw to help secure joints at the end of boards.
The Only Wood Screws You Really Need
Face Joint: Attaching 3/4" Plywood to 1x Boards
Wood Screw: #8 x 1-1/4"
This is one of the most common types of construction I do in the shop -- attaching a sheet of 3/4" plywood to a carcass made of 3/4"-thick lumber. The #8 x 1-1/4 screw is perfect for bringing these two boards together. Be sure to use a #8 countersink bit to provide room for the shank, and a 3/32" bit for the pilot hole. For hardwoods, you can use a somewhat larger bit, like 7/64".
Face Joint: Attaching 1/2" Plywood to 1x Boards
Wood Screw: #6 x 1"
Another common type of construction I do in the shop is attaching a 1/2" sheet of plywood to 1x boards. These materials work nice for building shop tables and workstations. Use a #6 countersink for the shank, and a 1/16" bit for the pilot hole. For hardwoods, you can use a somewhat larger bit, like 5/64."
Face Joint: Attaching 1/4" Plywood to 1x Boards
Wood Screw: #6 x 1/2"
Another really common type of construction I do in the shop is attaching a 1/4" sheet of plywood to 1x boards. These materials work nicely for building a variety of different style boxes and cabinets. Use a #6 countersink for the shank, and a 1/16" bit for the pilot hole. For hardwoods, you can use a somewhat larger bit, like 5/64."
Face Joint: Attaching 2x4 to 2x4
Wood Screw: #10 x 2-1/2"
Bringing 2x4s together requires a fairly stout fastener to hold everything in place. That’s why I like to use a beefy #10 x 2-1/2" screw to do the job. Be sure to use a #10 countersink to make room for the shank, and a 1/8" bit for the pilot hole.
End Joint: Attaching 3/4 Plywood to 1x Boards
Wood Screw: #8 x 2
This is similar to the face joint construction I talked about earlier, but the difference is that we’ll need a longer wood screw going into the end grain. The extra 3/4" helps to secure the fastener. Use a #8 countersink and a 3/32" bit.
End Joint: Attaching 1/2 Plywood to 1x Boards
Wood Screw: #6 x 1-1/4
The extra 1/4 of this wood screw is just enough to add a little extra gripping power when going in to end grain. Use a #6 countersink and a 1/16" bit.
End Joint: Attaching 1/4 Plywood to 1x Boards
Wood Screw: #6 x 1
Again, this is similar to the face joint in regard to countersinks and bit size, but I like to add a little length to the bit length to compensate for any weakness in the end grain. The extra 1/2" should be plenty to do the job. Use a #6 countersink.
End Joint: Attaching 2x4 to 2x4
Wood Screw: #10 x 3
Sometimes I need to join the end of a 2x4 to the face of a similar board. To compensate for the weakness in the end grain, I like to use a full 3" wood screw to make the joint. Be sure to use a #10 countersink to allow room for the hefty-sized shank on these types of screws.
Author: Andy Duframe
Website: www.ezwoodshop.com
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