What kind of screw should I use? Woodworking Basics

Why use screws instead of nails or glue? What types of screws should you keep around your shop? While I prefer glue for most projects, there are certain scenarios where a screw is necessary in woodworking. Here are the basics.

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[michaelrichardson]

Steve I have been recovering from total knee replacement surgery and am now 6 weeks out and recovering nicely. During these past 6 weeks I made some life changing decisions regarding how I wanted to spend my retirement. At 72, I have a few more productive years left before I decide to turn my law practice over to my son. But not being able to predict the future, I wanted to start now to develop my skills as a woodworker so that I can fill my retired days doing something useful. During my recovery I found sleeping to be almost impossible at times and have often pulled out my iPad and watched woodworking videos. Yours are some of the most enjoyable ones I have found. You manage to convey necessary skills in a way that is both entertaining and insightful. There may be more skilled woodworkers out there, more elaborate shops, better equipment, and so forth but few channels convey the warmth, humor, and I think, the general caring about the craft as does yours. Keep up the great work. It may not bring about world peace but you may bring about some inner peace among us mere mortals. Yes I have enrolled in your weekend woodworker course and look forward to the day I can get back in my shop and stand on two good legs. Thanks again.

[rubdulbah]

As I remember from some conversations during my engineering degree. Phillips head screws were made for automotive applications to prevent workers from overtightening parts. The idea was that the head would strip before the fastener could be over tightened preventing parts from cracking.

[mindtropy]

TIP: The distance between head and shank can be used to close the space between two wood parts. If length is long enough to pass threads to other wood, it starts pulling the other one

[artvndly]

Excellent video, this helped me out a lot. I'm a fairly educated guy generally, but I never did a woodshop class unfortunately. At the same time, it's unbelievable how far I'm getting already because of videos like this.

[zan]

Slotted Screws: "Basically, they suck" - Couldn't agree more.

[wendytorkelson]

I'm about 8 months into woodworking and still had no idea what to choose at the hardware store if I wasn't following someone else's project plans. Thank you for posting such great videos that explain all of this!

[clarencebrown]

I always use Robertson screws here, must be a Canadian thing. I remember my dad doing cabinet work and throwing away the slot or phillps screws and using #1 Robertson screws, this was way back in the 60s.
Fantastic videos you have, real pro for sure.

[rockandrollerskater]

This is now one of the few of my most favorite channels on Youtube! You are an engageing speaker getting to the point BONUS you make me laugh and no prevented many DIY project disasters around my house! Really thank you for explaining the basics the way you do so that I can wrap my brain around something as small & simple screw!

[Rylan]

Just a note, if not already mentioned, The robertson screw and the square are two different drive types. The Robertson from Canada has a tapered shape while the square is true and straight. Robertsons taper allows the screw to stay on the driver better. If you put a Robertson driver in a square head it will fit loose, conversely the square will likely jam or not fit in the robertson. Side note if Robertson and Ford had come to an agreement you would likely not have the Phillips at all but... there you have it.

[MarkMcMillen]

Wow, answers to questions that I didn't even realize I had.

[officialWWM]

I'm restoring a 50 year old boat. It's full of flathead screws. I constantly marvel at the patience of the guy who built it. I both love and hate that guy.

[Bearleaux]

I'm late to the party, but I have to say your explanations and videos are among the best for beginner/intermediate woodworking. Others tout big fancy expensive tools and jigs and really don't do a great job of explaining the why's behind what they do, it's more or less just watching someone do it. The time you take to explain the process and details of your pieces and topics is a huge help and a true enlightenment to the world of woodworking.

[Nancy-kqqr]

First time I've watched Steve Ramsey. I was planning to just watch the basics, but he's so entertaining that I watched the whole video. His style reminds me of Bill Nye the Science Guy, fun and informative.

[marcelittalabonitta]

Oh my God! Im a single mom and have done DIY projects on my home for years now. I love it! But i have say the screw aisle in my local home improvement store IS overwhelming! I often wondered what the difference was for each type of screw but felt dumb in asking... you made this so easy to understand... so thank you, thank you, thank you! God Bless 💋

[johnthompson]

I really like the dry wall screws. I keep 1.25", 1.5', 2.0" & 2 .5" on hand all of the time. I always drill pilot holes and counter sinks. I exclusively work in pine, 2x4 or 23x32 plywood. I've never had a breakage problem. Dry wall screws are cheap, And the bigger thread size seems to grip better. The Phillips Head does occasionally break down. A square or star head would be better. I'll keep my eyes open for them.

[Fosterjld]

Steve... out of ALL the woodworkers on You Tube you are simply the easiest to understand and you present your information the best. Keep up the great work..!

[MsKatVlogs]

I love that Steve is open about that this is his opinion and his own recommendations. When researching for a project, you are never going to read one manual and then make whatever you are going to make. You look for various explanations and then choose the information that best suits your project.

This video was well made and I learned a lot, thank you.

[bearthompson]

First one of your vids I’ve seen. One of the best instructional videos I’ve seen on ANY subject! Focused (ie, on topic), thorough for the intended audience, efficiently presented without seeming rushed, and very relatable for this woodworking novice. I always thought camming out when driving Phillips screws was due to my own inexperience and have been very frustrated with ruined heads and driver tips. I also definitely relate to and appreciated your comment re: big box hardware chains. Locally, we have lost a smaller community store and will soon have a Home Depot and Lowe’s right next to each other! Thanks for a great vid!

[lpconserv]

Just an outstanding channel. Cut to the point, give real facts, and clearly indicate when you are having an opinion. As a 47 year veteran engineer, you hit the mark directly on center, and I also agree with you on this screw topic. I am a displaced US citizen, living in retirement in the Philippines. I had 49 one cubic meter boxes shipped here from the states, and have to admit, the SPAX or specialty screws were in several of my boxes, since I knew here, I was not likely to find good screw options. It is a poor country and only the cheapest of fasteners are available and as you say, cause more problems than they solve. Broken off heads are a constant problem. Some of the wood I have to work with, "matamban" being most prevalent here in my small island, is dense and as heavy as osage orange wood, but white. You pre-drill that or learn how to dig out broken screws.

Thanks for your channel and I am subscribed and will be watching. Your glue up tips (glue also imported since here there is almost NO available good glues) are invaluable to me. I have not use the proper glue methods until now, watching some of your repairs. I now know why some of my repairs did NOT hold up. Problem solved... Thanks.

[dane]

Steve Ramsey.... you mean "Bill Nye The Wood Working Guy?"