When you’re building something, one of the most important yet often overlooked questions is how you’re going to put it all together. Depending on the materials you’re using and the type of project you’re working on, some options will be much better than others. Screws are perhaps the most versatile and effective way of fastening materials, and they’re generally incredibly easy to use.
One of the main advantages of screws, aside from how strong they can be, is that you can remove them and reapply them very easily, giving you the freedom to make changes if you need to. With some other methods of fastening, such as nails or glue, this is much more of a challenge. If you’re looking to start work on a new project, here are some of the best screws you can use.
Socket Screws
Socket screws are a type of strong and versatile screw which can be used in almost any project. They look fairly similar to regular screws, as they have the same shape with a normal-looking head, thread and tip. However, the main difference between these screws and other options is that they use a hex drive.
A hex drive is the type of hole used in the head, and this particular one can be tightened and fastened by an allen key or hex key. While regular screws will typically use a Phillips screwdriver, this makes socket screws unique.
The advantage of these screws is that they tend to be stronger than most other screw types. They apply more torque and clamping force when screwed tight, which can create a stronger finish. Not only does more force mean greater strength, but it also means you won’t have to use as many screws, lowering the cost and weight of your project.
Self Tapping Screws
Self tapping screws are unique from other screws because of how they work. Rather than being screwed into an existing hole or thread, self tapping screws are able to be screwed directly into a material in order to create a threaded hole. You can find different kinds of self tapping screws to create threads into wood, plastic and metal.
Because of the nature of self tapping screws, they’re incredibly easy to install, with no need to use a power tool such as a drill. You can use different head types in order to achieve the desired effect, with flat top heads leaving a smooth and barely noticeable finish.
You can use these screws in a variety of different projects, and they’re able to provide a lot of clamping force to ensure that it holds together well. It’s worth noting that before you add the screw, you make sure that the hole you make won’t damage the material in some way.
Machine Screws
Machine screws share a lot of similarities to bolts and look very similar at first glance. They both have a flat point and a long, threaded shaft. However, the main difference between a machine screw and a regular bolt is that the screw has a head that can be tightened with a screwdriver. On the other hand, bolts have a flat head without a drive.
The head of machine screws will always have a drive, but there are different drives depending on the type of screw. You can find Phillips, flathead, hex head, torx head and many other types of machine screws, all allowing them to be fastened in different ways.
Like other types of screws, these can come in different materials, though they’re commonly made of steel. You’ll also find machine screws in lots of different shapes and sizes, and the thread used can be coarse or fine threaded.
