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Selecting the Right Type of Screw

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Sheet Metal Screw

 

  • Fastens thin metal to thin metal.
  • Threaded its entire length.
  • Can have flat, oval, round or binding heads.
  • Typical lengths range from 1/8” to 2”.
  • Starting holes are either drilled or punched and should be slightly smaller than the screw diameter.

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    Machine Screw

     

  • Can have round, oval, flat and fillister heads
  • Intended to be screwed into prethreaded holes in metal.
  • Comes in coarse (24 threads per inch) and fine (32 threads per inch) sizes.
  • The round head type is most commonly used. The flat head type is used when the top must be flush with the surface.
  • Oval heads are used in countersunk holes. Fillister heads are used in counter-bored holes.

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    Set Screw

     

  • Prevents bolts from loosening due to vibration.
  • The thumb screw type can be tightened by hand.
  • Headless set screws are tightened with a screwdriver
  • Square head set screws are tightened with a wrench.
  • Socket set screws are tightened with a hex wrench.
  • Used to secure wood together.

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    Wood Screw

     

  • Usually made of unhardened steel, stainless steel, aluminum or brass.
  • Steel screws can have a choice of several coatings: bright-finished, blued, or zinc-, cadmium- or chrome-plated.
  • Threads on this screw run from the point along three-fourths of the length and heads are slotted.

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    Dowel Screw

     

  • Threaded on both ends.
  • Used for assembling pieces of furniture end to end.

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    Lag Screw

     

  • Also called a lag bolt.
  • Similar to wood screws but stronger.
  • Used when ordinary screws are too short or too lightweight and when increased gripping power is needed.
  • Used for wrenching into wood surfaces or for inserting into lag shields in masonry
  • Has a hex head.

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    Drywall/Deck Screw

     

  • Use when installing drywall or decking material.
  • Coated to prevent rust.

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    Power Drive Fastener

     

  • Designed specifically for use with power equipment
  • Usually uses a Phillips or hex screw head for better driving power.
  • Generally has a self-tapping or self-drilling design.
  • Includes a wide variety of special-purpose designs, including special fasteners for particleboard, cabinets, wood, masonry, drywall and decks.

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    Turnbuckle

     

  • Used to tighten wire or for bracing doors.
  • Consists of a barrel-shaped metal device with a threaded rod inserted into each end.
  • Rods have eyes at both ends, or some types have a hook on one end and an eye on the other.

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    Screw Eye/Hook

     

  • A screw eye consists of screw thread at one end and a ring at the other.
  • A screw hook consists of screw thread at one end and a hook at the other.
  • Used to hang tools or utensils or for holding them together.

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    Carriage Bolt

     

  • Has a square shoulder under the head that pulls into soft materials such as wood and prevents the bolt from turning while the nut is tightened.
  • Has coarse, partial threads and a smooth, rounded head.

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    Stove Bolt

     

  • Used to hold light metals or wood
  • Heads can be flat, oval or round.
  • Heads are slotted for a screwdriver
  • Usually supplied with a nut and is intended for use with a nut.

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    Machine Bolt

     

  • Comes with regular, square, hex, button or countersunk heads.
  • Square heads fasten joints and materials where bolt requirements are not too severe.
  • Button heads work best where smooth surfaces are necessary.
  • Use countersunk heads for flush surfaces.

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    Threaded Rod

     

  • Rod with continuous thread from one end to the other.
  • Available in different diameters.
  • Used where extra-long bolts are required.
  • Can be bent to make U-bolts, eye bolts and J-bolts.

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    Washer

     

  • Small metal circles that provide a hard surface against which you tighten a screw
  • It matches the size of the screw it is being used with.
  • Comes in flat, countersunk or flush shapes.

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    Nut

     

  • Screws onto the threaded end of a bolt to help tighten the bolt.
  • Most common are hex and square nuts, also called full nuts.
  • Wing and knurled nuts are used where frequent adjustment or disassembly is necessary.
  • The locknut type has a self-locking feature that allows it to be locked into position without additional lock washers, cotter pins or locking wire.

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    Cotter Pin

     

  • Versatile fastening device.
  • Made of ferrous and nonferrous wire.
  • Comes in various diameters and lengths ranging from 1/32” x 1/2” to 1/4” to 18”
  • Inserts into a hole in a bolt, shaft or similar part. An eye on one end prevents the pin from going through while prongs at the other end are bent back to lock the pin in place.

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    Rivet

     

  • Securely fastens something that can be reached from just one side.
  • The multi-grip type expands to fill over-sized and irregular holes and self-adjusts for misaligned holes.
  • Used in metal, plastic and composite materials
  • Ideal for installing gutters and drop ceilings or repairing large appliances.
  • Available in 1/8”, 3/32”, 3/16” and 1/4” diameters.
  • Can have dome, countersunk and large flange head styles.

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    Courtesy of NRHA.org
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