Fasteners: Screw Types and Screw Sizes
Looking to buy screws? If so, it pays to know what you’re looking for. Most screw suppliers supply a wide range of fasteners to customers. What you need will depend on the intended application and scale of the project. That said, the different types of fasteners available all serve specific purposes.
You need to know the different screw types to suit your needs, as well as the best screw sizes. Below are a few different types of screws, a description of each, and what each one is best suited to.
Machine Screws
As their name implies, you use machine screws to fasten various components together in a mechanical system. Those looking to buy screws for fastening tools, machinery, appliances, and more all use machine screws.
You can recognise machine screws by their threaded section, which maintains a uniform diameter. This opposes to other fasteners supplied by screw suppliers, such as wood screws with tapered threads.
Wood Screws
Wood screws, as the name implies, are the various types of fasteners. You use these primarily in applications involving wood. Being very strong, they are well suited to heavy duty applications. Their smooth shank design allows them to be easily screwed into wood. At the same time, they “pull” the wood against itself, creating a secure bond.
They come available in several screw sizes, depending on requirements. Usually, they comprise steel or brass, where brass offers moderate protection against corrosion. They also need drilled pilot holes to before insertion.
Self-Tapping Screws
Known as self-tappers, these screw types cut threads into untapped pilot holes. Self-tapping screws are useful in applications where you cannot tap holes, such as in thin material like sheet metal.
These types of screws are also used when the installation of a rear nut onto a bolt or other type of screw is impossible but required. You also use them on objects that need disassembly at a later stage.
Coach Screws
These types of screws are heavy-duty fasteners, used in bonding metal to wood. Coach screws are also used to fasten heavy timber together. Thanks to their tapered thread, you can screw these fasteners into wood to create a strong bond.
A person would buy screws of this type for the strength they offer in bonding metal to timber and timber to timber. When inserted, the threads dig into the wood and compress the two components together. The head prevents the rest of the screw from slipping all the way through.
Skirting Screws
You use skirting screws in the installation of wall skirting into brickwork. Screw suppliers offer these screws in two primary sizes, 3.9x45mm and 3.9x55mm. Their applications are somewhat limited.
These are not the only types of fasteners used with skirting. You can also use wood screws if the skirting is being attached to a wooden surface. You can also use masonry screws, which are well suited to screwing wood into brick or concrete.
Drywall Screws
As the name suggests, drywall screws secure drywall to a substrate such as wood or metal studs. Available in many different screw sizes, their sharp points and threads allow them to quickly secure drywall to a surface.
These screw types are best inserted with an electric screwdriver and drywall bit. The design of the head is such that once inserted, it sets flush or slightly recessed from the surface. This allows you to fill and paint over the hole itself.
Screw Suppliers of Excellent Reputation
Screw Distributors are professionals in our industry. As screw suppliers, we hold extensive experience. We are able to provide a wide variety of fasteners to our customers as per their needs. We also dedicate ourselves towards assisting the customer wherever possible. As such, you can contact us for any queries or advice on screws and fasteners.
