Woodscrews and Self-Tappers

Although originally limited to Slot Head (i.e. for Woodscrews) and Square Head (i.e. for Coach Screws), Screws and Bolts of almost all types are now available with a wide variety of head designs and methods of driving them.

The screws listed here are those with a point, rather than a fully parallel shank, and are used mainly for wood, plastics, sheet metal or similar and some building materials.

For details of screws more suitable for Engineering applications (e.g. Set Screws, Cap Screws and Grub Screws, see the page on Nuts, Bolts and Washers

Woodscrews

Countersunk Head Woodscrews	The most commonly used woodscrew used where the head has to finish flush with the surface. The traditional Slot Head screw is now largely superceded by Philips and Pozidrive head types. They are most commonly available made in Steel, often Electroplated to reduce Corrosion or to improve appearance, but woodscrews made of Brass for example are also common. Note: Brass woodscrews are sometimes used with Oak because of concerns about the effect of Oak's Tannic Acid on steel ones, but it is advised first to screw in (and then out) a steel screw to avoid the screw breaking, since Oak is such a dense Hardwood
Round Head Woodscrews	These can be used where the material is too thin to countersink or where the screw head is intended to add decoration. They are commonly used to fix metal fittings on to wood - an application for which Black Japanned slot head types were used traditionally. Note: Whenever Slot Head screws are used, it is good practice to line up all the screw slots to improve the appearance of the finished product.
Raised Countersunk Woodscrews	These can be used for fixing thicker components on to wood and where strength is required as well as decoration.