Screw or Nail?

[SZR48207]

This, um, is probably not really automotive in nature, but you are all a very helpful bunch.

I would consider myself to be pretty good with my hands and I don't hesitate to fix things myself, but there's one problem.

I don't know when to use a screw or a nail (in the context of woodwork). I never learned, but I do realize there are differences in how they fasten objects together. I guess the question never came up?

I've actually built houses as a teenager for summer work, and we used a pneumatic nail gun for almost all framing work. We might have used wood screws for a few things, but, again, I never asked why.

So I ask -- When do you use a nail, and when do you use a wood screw, and why?

 

[brianl703]

Screws for stairs and floorboards. They don't squeak.

Also, drywall is commonly screwed down, although it used to be nailed.

 

[SZR48207]

Originally Posted By: brianl703
Screws for stairs and floorboards. They don't squeak.


This makes sense. Nails squeaking against wood is a horrible noise.
Originally Posted By: brianl703

Also, drywall is commonly screwed down, although it used to be nailed.


But, why?

 

[WagonBoss]

I don't know of any rule. My experience is it depends on cost, time, and what you are trying to put together. Rough framing is nailed because it is quicker and further depends on the sheathing for strength. Plus there is more give during seasonal weather changes. Finish nails can be filled and painted or stained over. A screw head might not look good.

Screws and glue allow a higher bonding strength for projects that require it. Some antique furniture would have been nailed when today we can easily machine joinery or use glue or screws.

I think it just depends.

 

[Chris Meutsch]

Screws for sure.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

On a house construction: Screws on stairs and decking and railings and door thresholds and anything that gets shock loads and vibrations and movement that would work out a nail. You can "lever" out a nail over time. Also some thing you might want to take apart of "off" for maintenance should use screws. I think some high tornado and hurricane risk areas have codes that require screws to tie-in and strap the roof truss to the wall rim and the wall sill is bolted to the foundataion or footing with lags or rebar bolts. On furnitire and cabinets its all joinery and glue with brads or clamping; then in hidden areas or on large pieces its joinery and screws or dowels.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: Reddy45
Originally Posted By: brianl703
Also, drywall is commonly screwed down, although it used to be nailed.

But, why?

Because nails lever out of anything... Including drywall. You then get "nailpops" in the drywall, which are unsightly.

Screws will not do this, so are superior for a smooth finished job that lasts a long time.

That said, plaster and lath construction had the lath nailed to the studs, and that never popped...

Not sure how you screw in tongue and groove floorboards...

 

[tom slick]

The technical answer is nails are stronger in shear, screws hold better in tension. Nails from a nail gun are 20x faster than screws. Framing gets nails because they are usually holding in shear. Deck planks, drywall, and stair treads get screws because they are holding in tension.

In trim work and fine woodworking you'd use nails because the heads are much smaller (23ga are invisible) and there is generally not much stress on the trim. Nails are also used to hold parts together until the glue sets.

 

[SZR48207]

Originally Posted By: tom slick
The technical answer is nails are stronger in shear, screws hold better in tension. Nails from a nail gun are 20x faster than screws. Framing gets nails because they are usually holding in shear. Deck planks, drywall, and stair treads get screws because they are holding in tension.

In trim work and fine woodworking you'd use nails because the heads are much smaller (23ga are invisible) and there is generally not much stress on the trim. Nails are also used to hold parts together until the glue sets.


Aha. This is what I was looking for. I see what you mean and I can see how that's a good guideline for deciding which is best to use.

 

[The_Jeff]

FIL does carpentry and I wondered about his nail gun nails.

Turns out they have hot glue on 'em, and the friction from racing through the wood temporarily melts the glue, keeping them stuck when it all cools off again.

Local construction seems like I could be the next to meet the Wizard of Oz. Against others' better judgement, I bolted the side wall sills of my garage to the concrete floor. I guess people just count on the weight of their buildings to keep them from blowing away?

 

[tom slick]

In Calif. no bolts into the foundation means your building falls over in an earthquake.

 

[NYEngineer]

I recently made big mods to my last home and I even screwed the studs. In ANY wind, that house never creaked or made a peep. No real reason for it... I just like overkill.

 

[bigmike]

My grandfather always told me:

If you nail it and it splits, you should have used a screw!

I've lived by that motto, along with pre-drilling when needed.