Wood screw

ASME B18.6.1; DIN 95/97 historic, now mostly maker specs

Sizes

Gauge #2-#20, lengths 12 mm to 150 mm

Drive & head

Pozi, Phillips, square (Robertson), Torx or slotted

Materials

Steel, stainless, brass, silicon bronze

Strength / grades

Not strength graded - chosen for corrosion resistance

Hole and pilot guidance

Pilot hole equal to the screw's core diameter in hardwood, slightly smaller in softwood; clearance hole in the top piece so it pulls tight.

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Where it is used

Furniture and cabinet assembly

Tapered shank and coarse thread grip solid timber and plywood

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Watch out for

  • No pilot hole in hardwood splits the timber.
  • Overdriving chews out the fibres and the screw loses its grip.
  • An old hole never holds as well - go one size up or plug and redrill.