Knowing your screw sizes will help you acquire the right fasteners for your projects. Using the wrong size screw can lead to poor holding strength and material damage.
Measuring your screws can be done with a ruler or tape measure and a screw gauge. A caliper provides more precise measurements.
Length
The length of a screw is one of the most important measurements to take into consideration when choosing a fastener. Screws that are too short may not be able to securely hold the material, while screws that are too long can cause damage or protrude out of the material and potentially pose safety hazards.
Measuring the length of a screw is fairly straightforward. For flat heads, length is measured from the bottom of the head to the tip; oval heads are measured from the point where the largest diameter meets the conical bearing surface to the threaded tip. Screws with specialized tips, such as nylon-tip grub screws, are measured differently and do not include the specialised tip in their length measurement.
When buying a screw, it’s important to note the gauge, length and thread per inch (TPI) measurements to ensure that you have the correct size screw for your project. Whether you’re working with wood, metal or any other type of material, having the right fastener for the job is vital to guarantee safety and proper installation.
Diameter
The diameter of a screw is the measurement along the peaks or crests of the thread. It is usually the first number listed on a screw size chart, and combines with the threads per inch (TPI) to determine the screw’s basic size.
For example, a screw with a major diameter of 1/4″ and a thread pitch of 20 is referred to as a #4 wood screw. In general, larger pitches mean coarser threads, while smaller pitches mean finer threads.
The diameter of a screw is also important to consider when selecting screws for spinal instrumentation surgery. One study found that the equivalent stress of the bone-screw interface decreased significantly with increasing screw diameter and length. Because of the slight variations in structure, manufacturing processes, and chemical composition among most fasteners, relying on just one screw for a sample can lead to inaccurate measurements. A more reliable method is to use a screw gauge, which will allow you to test many samples at once and provides an average weight for the entire batch.
Threads
The threads of a screw determine how it fits into the hole in which it will be inserted. Screws with larger diameters take more turns to reach the bottom of a threaded hole than screws with smaller diameters. This is called the pitch of a thread and is often described as “threads per inch” or TPI.
Pitch is the inverse of the lead angle, which measures the distance between a thread’s crest and its root after one rotation. The lead angle is important because it affects the resistance of a fastener to vibration and the torque required to turn it.
The number of threads per inch and the lead angle are usually noted in a thread chart along with the screw’s major diameter. Manuals on machining often include tables and charts to help you match up a tap drill with your screw size. You can also use a screw gauge, which is the first number in a screw size chart, to convert between fractions of an inch and decimals.
Material
Screws are found in a variety of materials and serve many purposes. It’s important to understand how the different types and sizes of screws are made in order to make the right choice for your specific project.
The material that a screw is made from will determine its durability and strength. For example, titanium fasteners are used in aerospace and medical applications because they are lightweight and durable. Stainless steel screws are best for most construction projects because they can withstand moisture and other environmental factors.
The head of a screw may also affect its ability to hold materials together. For example, hex cap screws have a hexagonal head and can attach to both wood and metal. Masonry screws are designed to be driven into concrete, and they are often blue in color for easy identification. Dry wall screws are shortened and intended to hold sheet rock to studs. Jack screws are commonly found in computer and electronic components, and they can be used to connect wires to a motherboard.