DIY is a great way to keep your home in the best shape while also testing out your skills. It can be a lot of fun too, and there are few better feelings than the sense of pride you get over a job well done. The level of skill and knowledge required to complete a DIY project successfully will depend on the type of work you’re doing. However, in almost any DIY project, you should at least have an understanding of screws.
Screws are thin metal rods which have a raised, spiral thread around them. They also have a slotted head, which is used to drive the screw into a material and fasten it in place. The way screws are designed means they’re capable of holding two materials together with a lot of force, making them ideal for a lot of DIY projects. However, there are many different kinds of screws out there, each with its own purpose.
Self Tapping Screws
While most screws need a threaded hole to be screwed into, self tapping screws are unique. These are capable of being inserted directly into a material or pilot hole and creating their own thread. This makes them extremely useful for situations where you might need to regularly fasten and unfasten something. For example, if you’re putting together furniture or using an access panel, being able to disassemble and reassemble might be required.
There are two main types of self tapping screws, and while they both work in a similar way, there is a major difference. Thread forming screws are capable of forming a thread within a material but need a pilot hole to be drilled first. These are commonly used in materials like plastic. On the other hand, thread cutting screws are designed to be screwed directly into the material and form the hole and the thread.
Understanding Screw Heads
The head of the screw, also known as the drive, is how you insert and fasten the screw into the material. It’s important to understand the different screw heads and what they mean, as they’ll affect how you can use them. Certain screw heads can only be used by certain screwdrivers, so you need to make sure that your tools match the screw unless you want to damage them.
Phillips head screws are perhaps the most commonly used type. These are instantly recognisable by the + sign head. The shape of the drive means that you can generate more torque when fastening, meaning the screw can grip with a stronger force. Other types of drives also exist, including flatheads, five and six-point stars and hex heads. Before you choose your screw, make sure you have the appropriate tool to fasten and unfasten it.
Wood Screws
If you’re working with wood, there’s a good chance that you’ll be using some type of wood screw. These are designed to securely grip wooden materials, including pine, MDF and more. They’re often used in wooden furniture and have a coarse thread that extends most of the way up the shaft. Just under the head of the screw, there’s typically a smooth portion which helps ensure a tighter connection.
The head of the wood screw is also designed with its purpose in mind. Typically, the head will be tapered, allowing it to sit flush to the surface or just below the surface. This ensures a smooth finish that looks good and prevents the head from snagging. When choosing your screws, don’t forget to consider the length and thickness, which can affect how much load the screw is capable of supporting.
