Category: Screws

A Quick Review

Sheetrock screws, which are also known as drywall screws are extremely sturdy and long enough to be applied on drywall or sheet rock surface. These are made up of black phosphate and comprises of finished steel.

The unique cornet-shaped angle present beneath the head enhances the bearing area against the easily ruptured drywall surface.
These fasteners render better holding capacity as compared to nails and hence reduce the chance of popping out, thereby preventing any damage to the panel. These are used for fastening drywall to wooden or metal studs.

Ad Nauseam

Sheetrock® is the business name for USG Corporation’s drywall product, which is also known by several other names in different nations, such as Gibraltar board, plasterboard, gypsum board, wallboard, GIB wall, ceiling linings and rock lath.

It is manufactured in specific designs, so as to meet the construction standards put forward in building codes. The most important feature of this fastener is that it saves considerable amount of time, which is required to upright, the ceilings and interior walls in any form.

Although there are various procedures involved in the sheetrock screws installation, there are certain techniques applied, particularly in new constructions.

Specifications

These screws are designed in various sizes, including 48 inches, 96 inches and even 144 inches. These rivets are used determining the various requirements by different building codes and studs, made up of hollow steel sheets or wooden beams. These studs are used to support the interior walls and are positioned at about 16 inches gap. While the general ceiling height is 8 feet, the sheetrock screws’ dimensions alleviate them both vertically and horizontally, with every step featuring several proponents.

This 16-inch gap signifies the center of each stud. After all the fasteners have been inserted, the walls are then constructed using joint compound. This compound is spread over both the joints and screw holes between each joint.

Once the composite dries up, the walls are then sanded smooth and ready for whitewash.
The countersunk heads of the drywall screws are the most essential features. The entire fastener lies smooth with the surface of the sheet, thereby creating a great finish. The countersunk head helps in restricting the screw from damaging the paper surface, which is usually a common problem with all the nails.

Types & Uses

The sheetrock screws are usually of two types: Type ‘W’ and Type ‘S’. While the first one includes the wooden screws, featuring coarse and wide threads, the later one includes metal rivets, which are used along-with the steel framing members.

Another great feature of these fasteners is that they feature an edged and notched head, which can easily insert into the steel framing and their fine threads help them even penetrate into the steel surface.

The use of fasteners has grown extensively worldwide, increasing the need of coming up with standard screw sizes. Standardization prevents the use of improper screws, and ensures screws are compatible with the materials being used and are appropriate for the project at hand. Screw dimensions include the driver type — such as flat, Phillips or hex — length, shank diameter and threads per inch.

The demand for fasteners has extensively grown globally, especially in the world of online marketing. This growing demand has simultaneously increased the requirement for standard sizing of these hardware supplies.

By classification, the hassle of each time landing up with screws with different patterns and lengths can be greatly avoided. This even ensures that these rivets become comme il faut with the materials, being used in the construction or any build-up project. The various dimensions of these fasteners demand ofr use of various type of screwdrives, such as hex, Phillips, flat determining the shank diameter, length and threads per inch.

Screw’s numbering system

when standardization was done, the screws were put into 2 distinct numbering systems; the metric and U.S numbering systems. The metric measuring system lists out the diameter of these rivets in millimeters first and then secondly in thread pitch. The examples for this category include 6 mm x 1.0, 4 mm x 0.7, 5 mm x 0.8 etc. The U.S stadnard measurement system inlcudes screw with diameter sizes as 0, 1, 2 ,3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14 and 16 and even in fractional sizes ranging from  1/4″ to 2″ in 1/16″. This is followed by threads and dash per inch falling between 6 and 80.

Diameter of screws

The first number metioned in the size charts for diameter must match the inner diamter of the washers ad nuts applied to them. The diameter of the rivet is measured at the shaft, just below the screw head. The diamter size ranging from 0 to 16 is declared by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, thereby enabling the hardware sizing system to be extensively adopted worldwide. This kind of measurement made in standard U.S fractions was recently added and countries outside of America  are also seen following this standardization.

Length of screws

While the pan head screw’s length is measured from the flat end of its round head to its tip, the length of the flat head screws measure from the top of the head to the tip of the rivet.

The length is the third item typically listed in the size chart and is identified by an ‘x’ symbol. For instance, a #8-20 x 3/4″ screw features 20 threads per inch and a shaft measuring 3/4″ in length and a 5/8-24 x 1″ screw has a diameter of 5/8″, 24 threads per inch and has a 1″ shaft.

There are some fasteners, which are measured as per the threads per inch sizing, execpt for their length and diameter such as 5/16 x 1/2″ and #10 x 1″

Threading of screws

This kind of measurement is at number 2 in the chart of standard screw sizes. The hyphen refers to the number of threads of screw shaft per inch. For e.g. a 1/4-28 sized screw has diameter of 1/4″ along-with 28 threads per inch and a #6-32 screw has 32 threads per inch on its shaft.

If you happen to see some kind of odd bow-tie shaped screw slots on your door or window pane, you’ve probably discovered the clutch head screws.  Such fasteners were extensively used in the auto industry from the 1940s through the 1960s. In 1970s, few of these screws also paved their way into travel trailer manufacturing industries as well.

Clutch head screws are also known as ‘One Way Screws‘ and ‘Security Screws‘. These specially designed fasteners are used for lasting installations. These are easy to use and can be installed using a normal screwdriver. The head of such kind of fastener features a normal drive and slanted rear face, which prevents the screwdriver from applying torque when trying to loosen these fasteners.

Once implanted, these rivets require typical drilling application for removal from the holes. However, you can even fetch for a special kind of driver bit to undo them.

In order to unscrew these rivers, you’re required to use a screwdriver bit of the same shape and size. The clutch head one way screws can be unscrewed in the clockwise direction by using a standard slotted screwdriver. This drive system was probably the worlds first security recess.

Unique Design

This unique feature enables such screws to be tamper-proof, thereby enhancing the security of your house and lessening the risk of robbery and making it impossible for the intruders to tamper the screws. Due to their unique design, there are even ideal for higher torque applications.

Thus, these fasteners are also referred as Jail Head. They are usually self-tappers and are used in applications jail cell hinges and even in domestic window locks and exposed door lock screws.

Types

Standard Clutch Head

The clutch head screws are usually of two types: type A and type G. The type A is also known as a standard clutch and usually resembles a bow tie. And the type G resembles a butterfly.

These are zinc plated hardened steel and cannot be removed once they are installed. Besides, the countersunk clutch head screws can only be opened by a flat head screw driver

Uses

The type A screws were widely used earlier and were commonly seen in 1940s’GM automobiles, including trucks and buses. And the type G rivets are commonly used in the construction of mobile homes and recreational vehicles. You can even find them in your windows and doors, if they’re installed with some odd bow-tie shaped screw slots.

These are ideal for

• Public access wooden windows & doors
• Seating & fencing
• Prison fittings & fixtures
• School & college fixings & fixtures
• Also used in timber applications

Added Benefits

A police survey shows that around 30% of the intruders gain access to the houses through windows. Therefore, it’s utmost necessary to keep your windows secured.

Beat the thieves with the clutch head screws!  

Their ‘one way’ design lets you fasten these screws with an ordinary Slotted screwdriver, but unscrewing them is virtually impossible. Hence, these can be of great help, as their unique features make it impossible for them to be unscrewed using a driver, instead a driller is required to undo them.

There’s another kind of screw known as A2 clutch head round wood screws.

These fasteners are also known as Clutchless Screws and are made up of A2 stainless Steel.

These types of hardened steel self tapping screws can be used with various materials including wood, plastic and as a self tapping screw.

Applications

• These fasteners are mostly used by the police and councils to secure number plates
• Construction Security Screws
• Sign Security