At some point, as you are creating your woodwork, you will have to decide on how to fasten one piece to the next. It’s highly likely if the project is not particularly huge or tiny that the final choice may come down to aesthetics, since both fastening methods are likely to get the job done. So, it’s worth it to ask yourself and to take some time in answering the question, do I want to use a screw or hammer in a nail? There are some other considerations too. For example, screws have good tensile strength and gripping ability. But they are lacking in sheer force, that is the force that a fastener can hold from both sides. On the plus side, screws stay put, even when wood expands and contracts. However, sheer force can snap a screw. Generally screws are a good choice for smaller woodwork projects, like deck-building and woodworking. It should also be noted that screws are easier to handle and if need be remove. The gold star reason to go for nails is their sheer strength. They can bend when under huge pressure. Nails are usually the go-to choice for large projects, like house-framing and installation projects.
Key Takeaways:
- When choosing between a nail or screw one wants to consider the grip strength and shear strength.
- Screws are great for small to medium size projects as they tend to be a bit more brittle than nails.
- Nails are good for projects like hardwood flooring or framing a house because of their shear strength.
“You can choose between them correctly after checking on the sizes of wood pieces to be fastened and whether you’re working on a weekend woodworking project or something big like erecting a building or home.”
Read more: https://www.thebasicwoodworking.com/use-screw-or-nail-the-wood/
