The wood screw that we all know today is actually quite ancient—though it's first appearance as the slotted wood screw didn't happen until the 1600s. Nevertheless, not all wood screws are equal. For example, brass wood screws aren't as strong as stainless steel wood screws, which means that one can't be used interchangeably with another.

Below, information is provided to help you in making the most of wood screws—information that will be useful for the boat builder, carpenter and contractor alike.

1. Use the brass wood screw.

2. Rely on bronze wood screws to resist the salt of the sea.

3. Pick the best wood screws for framing and deck screws.

Action Steps
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Pick brass wood screws for their appearance and longevity

Brass wood screws are aesthetically pleasing, especially when used with certain woods like Western red cedar. They also have the advantage of not rusting, which makes them a good choice for outdoor use. However, to ensure the brass wood screws don't break, make sure you pre-drill or screw in a stainless steel wood screw to create a hole before screwing in the brass wood screw. Brass wood screws can be flat head wood screws, Phillips head wood screws or tamper proof wood screws. You can find wood screws online or at local hardware or building supply stores.

I recommend: As with most industries, there is some cross-over in manufacturing of brass wood screws. Two of the many who manufacture brass wood screws are Cornell Industries and Norwoods Screw Machine Parts. Security Fastener is one of many companies that manufacture tamper proof wood screws made of brass.

Avoid the toils of salt water with bronze wood screws

Bronze wood screws are the boat maker's best friend in that these screws work very well and resist the corrosive effects of salt water. Builders like bronze wood screws as well since they work well in outdoor applications.

I recommend: The Dyson Corporation and Clark Craft manufacture bronze wood screws among many manufacturers.

Use stainless steel wood screws for decks and framing

Stainless steel screws work very well for framing and decks because they resist corrosion. Some manufacturers add a corrosion-resistant coating to their deck screws to emphasis this natural ability.

I recommend: Fastenal, that great fastener company, has deck screws as well as stainless steel framing screws. Sure Drive also has a wide selection of deck screws as well as other screws also. Of course, practically all of the manufacturers listed in the other categories make most of the various types of wood screws.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you are not certain which wood screw will work best with your application, contact the manufacturer, who will be more than willing to work with you and your company. Ask for bulk discounts as well.

Choosing wood screws for various projects requires knowledge about the many kinds of wood screws available. Builders, remodelers, cabinet installers and furniture makers all require a certain type of wood screw for each particular job.

Brass wood screws and bronze wood screws work well in furniture making because of their attractive color and finish. Speaking of color, green deck screws add creative flair to the look of an outside deck. Zinc wood screws are another color of wood screw, brightly colored that gets attention. Some things you need to know about wood screws are:

1. Flat head wood screws provide a smooth surface on finished materials. Rounded heads on wood screws stick up from the surface of the material, so colored round-head wood screws show up better for aesthetic appeal.

2. Wood screws come in various thicknesses. Screws for deck building, for example, require greater thickness for support safety.

3. Some wood screws have a cutting blade on the point of the screw and some don’t. Wood screws with points, called “self-tapping,” screw into the material easier.

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Identify the ideal wood screw by getting detailed wood screw information

You can find wood screws online, but realize that the ones pictured on website home pages are confusing if you're not sure what you're looking for.

I recommend: Find detailed charts to print out that picture and explain the different types of wood screws in detail. Boltdepot.com offers the charts free of charge.

Buy wood screws online for great savings and varieties

Choose brass wood screws, bronze wood screws or stainless steel wood screws, just to name a few and save money buying from Woodworker's Supply, Inc.'s online source.

I recommend: Subscribe to a free newsletter from Woodworker’s Supply, Inc. and stay informed about special sales and great bargains on all your wood screw needs.

Discover that tamper proof wood screws take wood screw safety to new levels of security

Some tamper proof wood screws screw in, but can't be screwed out. They have one turning radius that can't be reversed. This feature prevents removing wood screws illegally.

I recommend: Tamperproof Screw Co., Inc. of New York offers a great selection of tamper proof wood screws. One type they offer requires a matching tool to remove it from material. Regular Phillips-head screwdrivers cannot remove this type of wood screw.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Buying wood screws in bulk is more economical for most large projects. Cabinet installers, for example, normally purchase wood screws in 25-lb. boxes.
• •  Tamper proof wood screws are a specialty screw, sometimes difficult to find and usually more expensive than regular wood screws.
• •  Stainless steel wood screws won't rust so they are great for outdoor building projects. Stainless steel wood screws are also great for working with high-end boats.

So learning to use wood screws is no big deal, right? Not according to the pros: there are a lot of tricks and tips you can get from a veteran carpenter about how to successfully join pieces of wood with wood screws, not just in a mediocre way, but in a "perfect union of surfaces." For anything from cabinets to tables, this is extremely important.

You can find some of today's top training and education for wood screws online at sites that show you what kind of options are out there for getting these skills under your belt. Those looking for developing fastening skills might gravitate toward:

1. Site-based classes that cover all of the ways industrial workers or carpenters use wood screws to join surfaces.

2. Comprehensive e-learning course on fastening, including wood screws uses.

3. Specialized workshop on how to work wood screws and other fasteners into superior craftsmanship.

Action Steps
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Connect with screw industry trade groups for educational opportunities

Industry trade groups will keep you up to date on standards in the screw industry, particularly for government contracting.

I recommend: The Los Angeles Fastener Association hosts training sessions for members, leading to a professional certification. Find more training opportunities through other regional fastener associations with this list from the National Fastener Distributor Association. Find a large amount of technical and standards information at the Industrial Fasteners Institute.

Use site based wood screws and fastening courses

One method is to go to a specific 'school' environment to take classes in fastening carpentry and what makes wood assembly work. This kind of training can be just what is needed to get a worker completely knowledgeable about how to use wood screws and fasteners in a shop or work place, whether it's deck screws, screws for framing, flat head wood screws, or other wood fasteners.

I recommend: Texas T and I offers site-based training relevant to carpentry fastening, including uses of wood screws in constructing wood assemblies. Find more carpenter classes in your area through the Education Portal.

Find e-courses in wood screws and fasteners uses

Another route for those who don't have the time or resources for locating a physical learning environment is online training. Specific online education sites will get you toward similar classes in fastening and the use of fasteners like screws for wood online.

I recommend: You can find online options for learning about screw carpentry plus a lot more at the Southern Regional Education Board's Electronic Campus for Adults and E-Learners. Find more in carpentry distance learning at Course Advisor.

Engage in specialized wood fasteners workshops and seminars

Yet another option is to choose a high-powered seminar type course in craftsmanship that will cover fastening. Ask the representatives of these finer institutions specifically how their curriculum will give you insight into fastening with wood screws (such as brass wood screws, bronze wood screws, or other quality wood screw types) or other wood joiners (like glue and putty).

I recommend: Special workshops at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship will assimilate fastener and screw training into more specialized teaching on quality for those who want more skill in detail work. Find more of these seminar type courses at the Center for Essential Education's School of Woodworking.

Check screw manufacturers for how-to tips

Screw manufacturers typically display detailed product specs and useage instructions for the wide variety of wood screws on the market.

I recommend: American Fastener Technologies Corporation presents a mini-library on screws, including a chart of proper drill bit sizes for different screw sizes. Fastenal has a detailed guide on how to use anchor screws.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Don't overlook the role that fastening plays in any particular course. Be clear about your needs with the folks at enrollment to figure out where you can get maximum relevance in your wood fasteners training courses.

Wood screws are the perfect fastener for many wood projects. Where hammering can cause damage to a wood surface, wood screws provide strong binding and easy application. However, builders have to find the right types for appropriate strength and to prevent splitting. Knowing about some of the very basic types of wood screws on the market will help a new buyer or someone just entering a business role in dealing with fasteners for any kind of project.

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Flat head wood screws

Flat head wood screws are models that can screw into a smooth surface without sticking up. This is helpful when a project needs an unblemished surface. Other types of screw heads are better for when the screws may need to be removed in the future.

I recommend: See more on flat head and other head types for wood screws at the Bolt Depot.

Tamper proof screws

Tamper proof screws are screws that are made with attention to their fixed position, to deter vandalism and other events.

I recommend: See more on tamper proof screws at O.E.M. Hardware.

Bronze wood screws

Bronze wood screws are screws with bronze alloy coating that allows for high resistance to corrosion. For this reason, they are often used in boat or maritime projects.

I recommend: Find more details on bronze wood screw models at Eagle Eyes Hardware.

Stainless steel wood screws

Stainless steel wood screws are screw types that contain this heavier, strong metal in a plating or coating. Stainless steel screws are generally the desirable kind for strength, and are more expensive than some other types.

I recommend: Find out more about stainless steel wood screws as well as head types and much more at this page from the New York Times.

Root diameter and shank diameter

The root diameter and the shank diameter are two ways to measure the size of a screw. These two measurements are different and should not be mixed up when ordering thread sizes.

I recommend: Find out about the shank diameter and more fastener measurement terms at ToolingU. For more on the root diameter, check out this wood screw page from WL Fuller (general info is below screw dimension charts).