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The Essentials - Nails, Screws & Fasteners You Need for Any Project
Having the right nails, screws and other fasteners on hand is essential for completing DIY and construction projects. With the wide variety of options available, it can be confusing to figure out exactly which types you need. This guide will walk through the must-have fasteners to include in any toolbox or supply kit.
Standard Nails
A selection of common nails in sizes from 2d (1 inch) to 16d (3.5 inches) covers most basic nailing tasks:
- Framing nails for building, framing and decking
- Finish nails for trimwork and molding
- Brad nails for delicate jobs like cabinetry and paneling
Get galvanized or stainless steel nails for longevity. Avoid bright steel nails as they are more prone to rusting.
Specialty Nails
Certain applications call for specific nail types like:
- Roofing nails for shingle and tile installation
- Masonry and concrete nails for driveways, foundations and brickwork
- Flooring cleats for securing hardwood, laminate and other flooring
Invest in these project-specific nails as needed for particular jobs.
Wood Screws
Standard wood screws in an assortment of lengths from 1/2 inch to 6 inches handle most DIY woodworking needs. Phillips and square drive allow for centered, powered insertion. Key types include:
- Deck screws
- Drywall screws
- Lag bolts for heavy duty connections
Get exterior grade, corrosion-resistant screws for longevity in outdoor projects.
Sheet Metal Screws
Must-have sheet metal screws include:
- Self-tapping metal screws
- Self-drilling drywall screws
- Thread cutting screws for plastics and sheet metal
These make quick work of metal roofing, siding, HVAC work, and other sheet metal fabrication and repair jobs.
Anchors and Wall Fasteners
A variety of anchors and toggles allow securing items to walls and ceilings:
- Plastic anchors for light duty in drywall and plaster
- Hollow wall anchors for medium duty in drywall or tile
- Toggle bolts for heavy items on hollow walls
- Molly and sleeve bolts for solid walls
Investing in a versatile range of anchors enables hanging shelves, cabinets, fixtures and more.
Having the essential nails, screws, and fasteners on hand makes home and construction projects significantly easier. Focus on accumulating a versatile selection of the most common types tailored to your particular work. With the right fasteners, you can take on just about any DIY or building challenge with confidence.Choosing the Right Fasteners for the Job
With the wide variety of nails, screws, anchors and specialty fasteners available, selecting the optimal ones for each application is key. The wrong fastener can lead to weak connections, damage to materials and joint failure down the road. Follow these tips to choose suitable fasteners for any job.
Consider the Materials Being Fastened
Fastener material must be compatible with the items being connected:
- For wood, use standard steel, stainless steel, zinc or exterior grade wood screws
- For sheet metal, self-tapping screws and rivets provide tight connections
- For masonry, use specialty masonry anchors and tapcon screws
- For softer plastics, thread-cutting and thread-forming screws work well
Matching material hardness and using suitable drill bits prevents stripping screw holes.
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Load Capacity
Larger, sturdier fasteners are required for heavy loads:
- For heavy wooden beams, use large lag bolts instead of standard wood screws
- When anchoring heavy objects to walls, toggle bolts support more weight than plastic anchors
- For metal framing, structural screws and bolts provide superior shear strength
Consult manufacturer specifications for load ratings to select adequate fasteners.
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Environment and Exposure
Choose fasteners designed for the operating environment:
- Outdoors: Use exterior grade, corrosion-resistant stainless steel or coated fasteners
- Treated lumber: Requires hot-dipped galvanized or stainless steel fasteners
- Coastal areas: Opt for stainless steel to prevent corrosion
- Chemically treated wood: May require specialty coated fasteners
Getting the right level of environmental protection prolongs fastener life.
Ease of Installation
Look for fasteners that simplify installation:
- Self-drilling drywall screws eliminate pre-drilling
- Collated screws load directly into screw guns
- Pre-assembled toggle bolts speed hollow wall anchor setting
- Locking screw heads prevent loosening in vibrations
The right fasteners can save significant time and labor on the job.
Appearance
For visible applications, fastener appearance may matter:
- Trim head screws provide a smooth finished look
- Headless pin nails minimize holes in molding and trim
- Colored plastic anchors blend into drywall
- Ornamental iron screws complement wrought iron rails and hinges
Coordinate with overall aesthetics, especially in conspicuous locations.
Taking material, strength, environmental, installation and appearance needs into account enables selection of the optimal fasteners for professional, long lasting results. Consult manufacturers' recommendations and use suitable tools to further ensure proper fastener selection and application.
Must-Have Nails for Every Toolbox
Having a selection of the most useful nails conveniently on hand in your toolbox is essential for DIY projects and home repairs. Here are the must-have nail varieties every toolbox should be stocked with.
Common Nails
These basic nails in sizes from 2d to 60d are available in bright steel, galvanized and stainless steel options. Key uses include:- Framing nails (10d – 16d) for building and construction
- Finishing nails (2d – 8d) for trim, molding and decorative work
- All-purpose nails (8d-16d) for framing, crating and pallet work
Get an assortment of common nail sizes and store them in clearly marked containers for easy identification.
Box Nails
These thin, blunt-tipped nails are ideal for lighter gauge or delicate materials. Typical uses:- Wood and furniture assembly
- Crafting and hobby projects
- Installing paneling, cabinets and finishing trim
Box nails reduce the risk of splitting wood, making them a toolbox essential.
Brad Nails
These tiny headless nails allow nearly invisible fastening. Applications include:- Installing trim and molding
- Wood flooring installation and repair
- Crafts, furniture building and cabinetry
Stock various brad nail sizes including 5/8", 3/4", 1", 1-1/4" and 1-1/2" lengths.
Roofing Nails
Corrosion resistant roofing nails have large, wide heads to securely fasten shingles and tiles. Get:- Standard roofing nails
- Ring shank roofing nails for extra holding power
- Coated or stainless steel nails for longevity
These are must-haves for roof maintenance and replacement jobs.
Masonry Nails
Designed to be driven into concrete and brick, these specialty nails have chisel points and spiral shafts. Useful for:- Securing trim, framing and fixtures to foundations
- Building walkways, patios and masonry block projects
Keep a selection of masonry nails in 3/16”, 1/4” and 3/8” diameters ready for concrete work.
Having the right nails for the job saves time, provides better fastening and prevents injuries. Invest in premium quality nails and organize by nail type, size and quantity for a toolbox ready to tackle just about any project.
Screws - More Than Meets the Eye
Screws might seem like simple fasteners, but there is actually a lot more to them than meets the eye. Selecting the right screw type and size for the job is key to creating solid, long-lasting connections in DIY, construction and manufacturing applications.
Head Types
Screw heads are designed for different driving methods:
- Slot head for standard flat screwdrivers
- Phillips head for powered driving with camout
- Square drive resists camout for high torque driving
- Hex head for use with socket drivers or wrenches
- Torx head with star shape for enhanced torque transfer
Choose a head style that matches your driving tools and application torque needs.
Drive Types
Screw drives grip the screwdriving tool in different ways:
- Slot drives for standard flat blade screwdrivers
- Phillips drives for powered Phillips head drivers
- Robertson or square drives resist camout under high torque
- Hex drives for use with socket drivers or wrenches
- External drives like Torx allow high torque transfer
Match the drive to the forces the fastener will encounter during installation and use.
Thread Styles
Screw threads come in several basic types:
- Unified threads are common for bolts and nuts
- Acme threads provide high strength and resistance to vibration loosening
- Buttress threads offer excellent load bearing along one axis
- Machine screw threads for use with nuts or tapped holes
Consider the strength, security and axial loading needs when selecting thread style.
Materials
Screw materials include:
- Steel - strong, inexpensive, prone to rusting
- Stainless steel - corrosion resistant for harsh conditions
- Brass - decorative, softer than steel
- Nylon - non-conductive, resistant to chemicals
Factor in appearance, environment, conductivity and cost when choosing materials.
Drive Types
Some key screw drive types include:
- Slot - common flat screwdriver style
- Phillips - tapered cross shape that cams out under excessive torque
- Robertson - square recess that resists cam out
- Hex - six-sided shape for wrenches and sockets
- Torx - star shape allows high torque transmission
Pick a drive style that best suits the particular application and tools.
With so many options, it pays to understand the variations when selecting screws. Considering head style, drive type, threads, material and drive allows matching the right screw to the job.
Specialty Fasteners for Unique Applications
While basic screws, bolts and nails cover many common fastening needs, certain jobs call for more specialized solutions. When standard fasteners won't work, specialty fasteners are engineered to provide the perfect fit.
Rivets
These permanent tubular fasteners are ideal for joining sheet metal in applications like:- Aircraft and aerospace manufacturing
- Metal building construction
- Signage, railings and decorative metal fabrications
Rivets provide a solid joint that handles vibration and movement.
Grommets and Eyelets
Grommets and eyelets reinforce holes in materials like canvas, webbing and plastic sheeting. Applications include:- Tarps
- Sails
- Outdoor gear
They protect material edges, provide attachment points and reduce tearing.
Drive Rivets
These fasteners combine the benefits of rivets and screws. Uses include:- HVAC ducting
- Automotive panels
- Appliance casings
Drive rivets offer the permanence of rivets with speedy power tool installation.
Blind Rivets
Blind rivets allow single sided rivet setting without access to the backside. Applications:- Metal building repair
- Automotive panels
- Aircraft and marine fabrication
Hand or power blind rivet tools make installation fast and easy.
Retaining Rings
These circular fasteners snap into grooves to retain parts like bearings, gears and cylinders onto shafts and bores. Used in:- Transmissions
- Pumps
- Valves
Retaining rings prevent movement and provide easy disassembly.
Cotter Pins
Cotter pins secure nuts, bolts, rods and other cylindrical parts from loosening. Seen on:- Farm equipment
- Construction machinery
- Vehicle suspension and drivetrains
The unique shape resists vibration while allowing quick visual inspection.
Don't force a general purpose fastener if it's the wrong fit. For unique fastening challenges, specialty fasteners offer engineered solutions.
