Screws

Just imagine clipping a board to a metal slab. What do you think will be the most trusted way to join these two sturdy items together? We are sure your answer is a durable set of screws. And you are entirely right to say or think so.

Screws are a particular type of mechanical fasteners that generally feature external threads and are capable of securing two or more objects together. It is done by the application of torque of screw head to drive the fastener into two materials that rejoined together. Opposite to bolts, most types of screws do not utilize any mating nut and washer to attach or join the objects together. It means that the action of driving them through both objects create a mechanical joint with sufficient strength to bond any two items together. However, there are some exceptions to this general concept and designed to mate with the matches threaded elements.

Some basic types of screws available in the market

Today we have different requirements for joining materials together. Thus, we have different types available to serve other purposes. In this section of the article, we have discussed many of these types. We have also shaded some words on how they can be of help to the users. Understanding these many types is vital before you head to make a purchase. Because with the wrong choice, you will not only end up wasting your money but can also cause permanent damage to the material you are planning to join together. Although we cannot cover the entire range of screws in one discussion, here are some of the most commonly used types you need to know about.

Barrel and cap screws

The barrel screws are externally threaded components of two-parts fastening systems. Here the barrels are internally threaded nut components and mainly used for binding any two objects together. They are available in different lengths; hence they can accommodate different thicknesses. In contrast, cap styles have a variety of head styles like fillisters and hex. They come with a variety of driver styles like slotted and hex sockets. They are commonly used with tapped holes and threaded nuts. They are everyday items in the assembly of machines.

Deck – Dowel and Driver Screws

Deck screws are threaded fasteners where the threads are much larger in diameter than the shank and are specially designed for constructing a deck. They are used in wood construction and engineered wood decks. In contrast, dowel screws are threaded fasteners with lagged threads on their ends. They are mainly used for fastening soft materials while hiding them within the material. And opposite to that is the driver screw that comes with a larger angle helical thread that is designed to be driven into material with impact tools. They are best for heavy-duty fastening applications and are also used in casting ferrous and nonferrous items.

Machine and set screws

Machine screws are fully threaded fasteners used to secure into tapped holes or with nuts. They are mainly used in the assembly of machinery. These are available in different thread lengths, sizes, drive types and heads. Moreover, you can also find a variety in finish and material in them. On the other hand, the set screws are threaded fasteners used for securing shafts to hubs. They are also available in a range of tip styles including dope point, cone, and cup and knurled and come in different drive types.

Weld and wood screws

Weld types are threaded fasteners designed for permanent attachment to the metal surface by welding to form threaded protrusions on metal sheets and similar materials. They also come in a variety of lengths and sizes with a variety of material options available. The material options depend on application requirements. At the same time, the head style depends on the application and welding process. But the wood types come with aggressive threads designed to drive into the wood. They use self-tapping threads that bite into the wood. The head of wood screws are usually flat, but you can look for an alternative like oval, round or fillister types.