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A Practical Guide to Screws, Nails and Bolts
A plain-language overview of how nails, screws, bolts and rivets differ in holding behavior, and how to match a fastener to the material and the load.
Materials, Finishing and Fasteners
Screws, Nails and Anchors
Match fasteners to materials and loads.
Bolts, Nuts and Washers Explained
Learn how bolt threads, strength grades and washers work, from coarse versus fine threads to flat and lock washers, so you can pick matching hardware.
Countersinking and Counterboring Screws
Learn how to recess screw heads so they sit flush or hide beneath wood plugs, including the tools, depth checks and common mistakes to avoid.
Drywall Screws Versus Wood Screws
Why drywall screws and wood screws are made differently, how their heads, threads and metal differ, and where each belongs in your projects.
Nail Sizes and the Penny System
Decode the penny system for nail sizes, see how penny numbers map to lengths, and learn a simple rule of thumb for picking nail length for the job.
Preventing Rust and Corrosion on Fasteners
Understand common fastener coatings, why mixed metals corrode, and why treated lumber and outdoor projects need compatible, corrosion-resistant hardware.
Removing Stripped and Broken Screws
General methods for backing out stripped and snapped screws, from better bit fit and rubber bands to extractors, plus how to avoid stripping them again.
Screw Drive Types: Phillips, Torx and Square
Compare Phillips, slotted, Pozidriv, Torx, square and hex screw recesses, learn what cam-out is, and see how to match the bit to the screw.
Wall Anchors for Hollow and Masonry Walls
A guide to common wall anchor styles, how they hold in drywall, brick, block and concrete, and how to match an anchor to the wall type and load.
Wood Screw Anatomy and Pilot Holes
Learn the parts of a wood screw, what the thread, shank and head each do, and why pilot and clearance holes prevent splitting and stripped screws.
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