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Screws & Fasteners
McFeely's has a large selection of Wood Screws, Washers, Nuts , Nails, Staples and other fasteners are all sourced from quality Vendors ... Read More
Screw Sizes and Applications – Square Drive Screw FAQ
Which Deck Screw Should I Use? – Metric Bolt Conversion
If you would like to shop our Flat Head Screws on our Catalog Pages
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Screws & Fasteners
Not all fasteners are created equal. Aspects of screws and fasteners and things to consider when choosing the right one for the project you are building:
- Head Styles for Woodworking Screws
- Screw Size
- Recess Types
- Thread Style/Point Types
- Screw Length
- Pre-Drilling
- Material, Coatings and Plating
Drywall Screws and Wood Screws are not created equal. Do you know the difference and how they are made differently?... Read More
Here are three reasons to give Square Drive a try:
- Maximum driving torque reduces driver bit "cam out" Fits the bit so tightly you won’t have to worry about scratching your masterpiece!
- Decreased wear and tear on your driver bits Less prone to spinning in the screw recess, which prolongs the life of your driver bits.
- Strength, Strength, STRENGTH! – Designed for furniture manufacturers and other demanding industries that use hardwoods and other "tough" materials.
Drywall Screws
Wood Screws are designed for use in furniture manufacturing operations and other demanding industries using hardwoods and other "tough" materials. "Drywall" screws are designed to penetrate a layer of powdery drywall and a soft wooden or thin metal stud.
- They have a thinner shank that Traditional or Production Screws which makes them more prone to snapping off if over torqued driving them into hardwoods.
- The threads are a different design that are other woodworking screws. Because the entire shank is threaded, this will not allow the pieces being joined to pull together and instead may push them apart.
- Drywall screws were originally made for driving into Metal Studs in Commercial Buildings and the point is shaped to pierce that metal as it's being driven into. For this reason, they are hardened and makes them more brittle and snap easier.
- Last, the "Bugle Head" is designed to dimple the layer of paper on Drywall spreading the load across the surface for more holding power.
Double Lead - Twinfast: Two threads are wrapped around the shank. One revolution advances the screw 2 pitch lengths advantageous on long screws or in situations requiring rapid assembly. Drywall screws typically use this thread since pull-out strength isn't as important as speed. These screws lack the pull-out resistance of "Deep" threaded screws.
That's why you should never use Drywall Screws in Woodworking applications.
Screw Length
Not sure which size you need? The drawings above are as accurate as possible to help in deciding which size is required for your job. In addition, the following guidelines may help you select the proper size:
#4 Designed for small crafts, jewelry boxes, attaching hinges, etc. Very lightduty. Available in 3/8 in. to 3/4 in. lengths.
#6 Small crafts, hinges and drawer slides, children’s furniture, toys, light-duty jigs and fixtures, etc. Light-duty. Available in 1/2 in. to 1-1/2 in. lengths.
#8 General furniture construction, cabinets, light construction. Good all-purpose. From 5/8" to 3" lengths.
#10 General construction, heavy-duty furniture, outdoor projects, decks, lawn furniture, boat building, etc. Available in 3/4 in. to 4 in. lengths.
#12 & #14 For heavy-duty construction, hanging solid-core doors, etc. Available in 3/4 in.to 6 in. lengths in selected styles. (#12 shown).
Traditional Wood Screw vs. Modern Production Screw
The difference between a traditional wood screw and a modern production screws is found in the sizing differences between the diameter of the screw shank and the screw threads.
Traditional Wood Screws - The shank diameter on this screw exactly matches the outside dimensions of the threads. Threads on these screws are deeper near the point and begin to shallow as they get closer to the unthreaded shank or screw head. Tapered drill bits are needed with this type of screw as the pilot hole should fit the outside shank diameter of the screw almost perfectly. Creating this tight fit on traditional wood screws yields maximum holding power.
Modern Production Screws - The shank diameter is actually smaller than the major diameter but larger than the minor diameter. The overall reduced shank diameter results in a deep thread profile offering great holding power. Drilling a pilot with a straight drill bit yields excellent results because the shank of the screw is straight through out its entire length. The advantages of this are that straight bits do not require the same critical depth control needed with a tapered bit.
- Minor Diameter: Measurement of the body of the screw between the threads (one side to the other) – Smaller than major diameter and shank diameter
- Major Diameter: Measurement of the outside of the thread (one side to the other) – Larger than shank diameter and minor diameter
- Shank Diameter: Measurement of the bare shank (one side to the other) – Larger than minor diameter but smaller than the major diameter
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| "B" Body Dia |
"C" Thread Dia |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Size | Max | Min | Max | Min |
| #10 Traditional | 0.194 | 0.183 | 0.194 | 0.183 |
| #10 Production | 0.157 | 0.146 | 0.194 | 0.183 |
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