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Questions tagged [screws]

Questions relating to threaded fasteners and their use.

Screws are a threaded fastener used to join wood, metal, or other materials. Screws come in various diameters, lengths, head shapes, drive shapes, and thread pitch. Screws are made of several different materials and coatings, depending on their intended use.

More information

Wikipedia

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Understanding US Screw Sizes

I'm going to be building a workbench, so I've been 'screw shopping.' I need some explanation on the sizing of screws when they are advertised as (example) 6 x 3/4". I know that 3/4" is the length of the screw, but what does the 6 mean?
Calvin Allen
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How to avoid stripping screw heads?

In at least two different contexts now (installing shower handrails, installing gate on fence) I've found myself stripping the head of the screw beyond all use. I must be doing something wrong, so what is it? The screws I'm driving are two or three…
Paul Price
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What is a NON-self-tapping screw? What does self-tapping mean, really?

Someone on the site suggested that I use "self-tapping screws", and gave me a link to the Wikipedia page about them. So, I went there, saw the definition: A self-tapping screw is a screw that can tap its own hole as it is driven into the material.…
einpoklum
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What is the use for this different threading near the head of a large screw?

I'm inquiring about the strange threading at the base of this screw: These were used in somewhat heavy-duty outdoor construction. What is the purpose of that corkscrew, and is it safe to replace it with a similarly sized regular woodscrew? I…
DarkLightA
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How to unscrew screws that are barely accessible?

I need to remove the face of a fake drawer that is screwed from behind. Unfortunately, a kitchen sink is preventing me from using a screwdriver. There is approximatively 4cm of space. The screw head is a PZ2. Is there a tool can could help me remove…
alecail
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How do I unscrew this screw to disassemble a dresser?

As you see it looks like it should just unscrew, but it doesn’t turn. I guess the little arrow on one side should point up/down — but even when I do that, the screws don’t slide out. The other side of the wood doesn’t have a s
Tim
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How to remove very stuck stripped screws?

These things are caught in hard wood. I made the dumb mistake of not drilling pilot holes. Rubber band trick failed Screw drill and removal bit failed JB welding a bolt worked for 2/5. Trying again, failed for the remaining three a third…
SwimBikeRun
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What kind of screw is this from a bar stool?

I have a barstool that has lost several examples of the screw pictured below, and I do not have calipers to measure it precisely. The screw is pictured atop a U.S. quarter coin. Since the condition of the screw is imperfect, I should mention that I…
Joe Mack
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Screw with two grooves?

Hi there: this screw from my bathroom vanity handle has broken. I'm curious about the two grooves that you might be able to see on the remaining screw. Do they serve any purpose? Should I be trying to find a replacement that offers those two…
spindoctor
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Choosing the right machine screw for a threaded hole in a computer monitor mount

The SENSE M2488C computer monitor pictured here has 4 machine screw holes at standard spacing around the label on the back of the monitor. I plan to mount it from a ceiling mount, not on my desk. I have a ceiling mount bracket with holes of exactly…
talkaboutquality
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What kind of screw has a wide flange with a smaller head above?

What is the exact name of this screw type?
cern
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What is this screw called?

I need a screw for some outside door handles, and I cannot rethread the holes as some parts are brittle plastic and other parts are soft metal. I need an exact replacement for this screw, but I do not know what type it is (e.g. wood, self tapping,…
George
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How can I fasten a low-voltage plate to drywall?

I do not have much experience with home improvement related things. I moved into my first apartment and I saw that the internet coaxial cable was pushed inside the outlet. I loosened the screws and using a knife I cut the thin paint layer around the…
LameDuck31
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How to determine the screw size (No.)?

I have multiple "Damaged Screw Remover" bits. I have another instance of the screw in my hand. The bits are designed for specific screw sizes (No. 4 to 7/No. 8 to 10). How do I determine the "No." size for the screw?
CW Holeman II
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How can I keep a screw from slipping off a screw bit?

I'm used to having magnetic bit holders, which will attract the screw, but sometimes the screw will still slip away sideways while screwing it in. Today I watched an episode of Adam Savage's One Day Builds on YouTube and noticed a kind of bit holder…
Oliver Salzburg
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