screw VS nail

[klhitman]

i was just wondering if you guys prefer to screw stuff together or nail it. of course i mean wooded item. i like to screw. seems to hold better

 

[Az Scooter]

Depends. Screws are faster for me.

 

[D.J.]

My vote is screw and GLUE if you are not going to be taking it apart and just screw only if you may be taking it apart in the future. I've seen way to many nails pull loose.

 

[Addrock]

In shear and compression, nail.
In tension, screws!

 

[ishiboo]

In shear and compression, nail.
In tension, screws!

Mostly agree.

I screw all of my workbenches/shelves/etc. so I can reuse the wood later with ease or reconfigure things.

Otherwise, almost all nails since I bought a framing nailer... much faster and a much better structural connection! As you said, shear strength is higher.

 

[dlenkewich]

I screw.

Most of my projects are done by myself alone, screws hold together better under tension and at awkward angles don't require leverage and continued blunt force to set in.

 

[DYNA BILL]

Screw & glue whenever possible.

 

[MeentSS02]

I try to use screws whenever possible, but I could see where things like trim would be quicker/easier with a nail gun.

 

[pprince]

Trim gets nailed with my air gun but everything else is screwed.

 

[metalbasher]

I like to use those star, or Torx (I think that's how it's spelled) head screw. They are more expencive, but they don't slip in the bit like the phillips heads screws do.

 

[tomsmith]

Agree with pprince and meentSS02. For trim, I use nails through a pneumatic nailer but screws for everything else.

 

[Torque1st]

In shear and compression, nail.
In tension, screws!

For structural applications which is what I think the OP was asking about I agree.

I find nails easier to get apart than screws when the screw heads are phillips. I hate phillips, I much prefer torx or square drive.

Galvanized and ring shank nails can be a real pain to get apart. The adhesive coated nails used in nail guns can be a PITA also.

 

[neverenoughtools]

My vote is screw and GLUE if you are not going to be taking it apart and just screw only if you may be taking it apart in the future. I've seen way to many nails pull loose.

X2.

 

[slip knot]

If I'm biulding for myself its screws. If I'm building for someone else or on my rentals I usually use the nailers. Nailers are much faster and easier to demo when needed. Try pulling a deckscrew out with a prybar.

 

[fflintstone]

I screw everything, I ad nails for shear only.

 

[Falcon67]

Both. Nails more in structure than screws because nails have a bit more give if the structure moves where a screw may well snap. 15 or 18 gauge nails for trim, screws for most else.

 

[bradleykd]

depends on what i'm building... if i think i'll pull it apart down the road its screws, if not i hit it with a nail gun...

 

[Jack Olsen]

I screw anything that moves. (Which I mean both seriously and as a joke.)

 

[ddawg16]

I screw anything that moves. (Which I mean both seriously and as a joke.)

That might explain all the little "Jacks" out there......


Each has it's purpose....

General framing....nail....especially when your using a nailer....
Shearwalls.....nail...

Subfloor....screw and glue...you never want to nail...the screws won't back out like nails can. AMHIK

Any kind of workbench....anything where there is a chance that you might want to take it apart...screw.

Trim...nail....it would take a lot of wood putty to hide those screw heads..

The wife.....both ways.....I've nailed her with a good screw in several parts of the house....

 

[BLUBAYOU]

Same as ddawg16 though I have used trim screws on occasion, which aren't too bad to fill (square drive with small heads).

 

[NJ Diver]

I screw anything that moves. (Which I mean both seriously and as a joke.)

I was curious how long it would take for someone to go there!! I'm surprised it wasn't sooner.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Lots of people use them, but remember that drywall screws aren't designed for structural use - they're quite brittle.

 

[Frank The Plumber]

In shear and compression, nail.
In tension, screws!

I like this answer and agree, and I do think it may sometimes require a bit of thought applied as to which works better per this.

 

[TN_GARAGE]

Lots of people use them, but remember that drywall screws aren't designed for structural use - they're quite brittle.

For sure.
Regardless of whether you screw or nail, you've got to use the one that is designed for the job (that's why we all have dozens of bins/jars full of nails, screws, bolts, etc. )

FWIW, I typically use screws unless its brad nails for very light stuff such as trim.

I've even been known to use both (quickly tacked up some shelves and boards the other day with my brad nailer because I don't have but 2 hands, and then came back with some screws)

 

[BackTracker]

I screw anything that moves. (Which I mean both seriously and as a joke.)

Ah, I see what you did there.

 

[djjsr]

If you've ever seen a structure that's been demolished by high winds, you'll notice that the majority of the damage is caused by nails that have pulled out. I wonder if anyone has ever tested the nail/screw difference. Build 2 identical structures, one nailed and one screwed and stick them in a wind tunnel. Any of you guys have your own wind tunnel?

 

[Skin]

If you've ever seen a structure that's been demolished by high winds, you'll notice that the majority of the damage is caused by nails that have pulled out. I wonder if anyone has ever tested the nail/screw difference. Build 2 identical structures, one nailed and one screwed and stick them in a wind tunnel. Any of you guys have your own wind tunnel?

screws are far far superior for holding tension. Its the shear load where they lose [usually] and why they arent used for things like framing. It really all comes down to brand though. Drywall screws are terrible, high quality deck/all purpose screws on the other hand can be very robust.

 

[DYNA BILL]

I screw anything that moves. (Which I mean both seriously and as a joke.)

Jack, I hope you don't have any pets!

 

[BLUBAYOU]

Is the Porsche consider a "thing that moves"?

It's okay to love your car. Just don't LOVE your car!

 

[Jack Olsen]

I draw the line if a pulse is absent or paws are present.

And now back to your regularly-scheduled thread.

 

[mhm993]

Other than framing or trim, nails are for chumps.

 

[ddawg16]

Is the Porsche consider a "thing that moves"?

It's okay to love your car. Just don't LOVE your car!

I draw the line if a pulse is absent or paws are present.

And now back to your regularly-scheduled thread.

You know how GJ emails you a copy of a response to a thread that you have subscribed to?

Well.....when you get the above two emails without the added context to which they are responding........you very quickly think WTF?

 

[rburke65]

Jack Olsen...I like the "paws and pulse' quip.

 

[TN_GARAGE]

If you've ever seen a structure that's been demolished by high winds, you'll notice that the majority of the damage is caused by nails that have pulled out. I wonder if anyone has ever tested the nail/screw difference. Build 2 identical structures, one nailed and one screwed and stick them in a wind tunnel. Any of you guys have your own wind tunnel?

Sometimes its because they didn't nail into the trusses. When you are running down a roof with a nail gun, it's easy to do (and not know it).

 

[raskal]

carpenters use nails, woodworkers use screws

each has their purpose.

Robertson screws for the win though!!

 

[3 at 8]

I screw.

Most of my projects are done by myself alone, screws hold together better under tension and at awkward angles don't require leverage and continued blunt force to set in.

This is a really good point. I've done alot of projects alone that due to holding things solo, or; your body being contorted at awkward angles, a screw was the only practical option.

 

[pete379]

In shear and compression, nail.
In tension, screws!

x2!! pete

 

[6brzina]

I couldn't resist

I use screws and glue for most projects around the house.