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When it comes to hardware, the choices can be overwhelming. But fear not, for the Honest Carpenter is here to help. In this article, we’ll take a look at some must-have fasteners that every homeowner and DIY enthusiast should keep on hand.
But before we dive into the list, the Honest Carpenter has some quick tips on collecting fasteners. First, avoid buying decorative or specialty screws that aren’t multifunctional. Stick to generic screws that come in one-pound boxes. And if you come across extra screws or fasteners, keep them in a jar to avoid the headache of sourcing them later. Now, let’s get to the good stuff.
Quick Tips on Collecting Fasteners
In this episode of The Honest Carpenter show, the host provides some quick tips on collecting fasteners for homeowners and DIYers. Here are some of the tips:
- Avoid buying decorative screws or basic wood screws with a strong silver or bronze patina or finish. They are often softer metals that deform easily when driving, and some are good wood screws but are specialty and often pricey. Instead, opt for one pound boxes of more generic screws.
- Avoid buying screws with strange head patterns like pan heads, truss heads, or oval heads. Many of these are specialty and therefore not as useful.
- Keep all extra screws or fasteners that come with something you buy in a single jar. This can save you the hassle of sourcing them if you lose them.
Now, let’s get to the list of must-have fasteners for homeowners and DIYers:
- Three-inch deck screw: This screw is the workhorse of much pro work and DIY work. It is great for all sorts of exterior applications because of its resistance to corrosion and its catch-all length. It can attach rails, fence posts, and handle a wide variety of other duties with bulky exterior lumber, and it works just as well for a quick interior shop framing.
- Two-inch deck screw: This is a necessary step down from the three-inch screw. It catches a wide range of applications that three inches may be overkill for, like attaching treated one-by which has become very common for fencing and exterior decoration. Really, any material thinner than two-by is eligible for use with two-inch screws because you’re getting about three-quarters of an inch of fastener in the top material and one and a quarter in the bottom material, so it provides a pretty decent hold.
- Two-inch trim screw: This screw is perfect for more delicate operations, like quick trim repairs or installations. It has a much narrower head than other screws, which lets it enter stock without splitting it or leaving a big entry hole. Two inches is enough to get through trim, drywall, and still get almost one inch into studs, making it perfect for light-duty tasks.
- One and 5/8-inch coarse drywall screw: These screws are highly useful for DIYers because they are thin with a fine bugle head, making them really easy to drive and sink. They can handle all sorts of light-duty wood projects, plus they’re obviously great for drywall repair. One and 5/8 inches is a great catch length because they can handle half-inch drywall and 5/8, which you often see on garage ceilings and in some bathrooms.
- One-inch coarse drywall screw: Sometimes, you’re only attaching really thin stuff like paneling on the back of a lot of cabinets, and you need shorter fasteners. In this case, the one-inch drywall screw is as good as any. They’re so thin that they drive very easily and lie very flat in a slight countersink, so they won’t bulge your wood or stand out.
- Half-inch gutter screw: Very few screws work well with sheet metal, but these little guys are great. You can drive them through metal gutters and downspouts, and they pin components together just like a rivet would. The hex heads, in particular, are easy to drive, and the short links are more appropriate for these applications.
These are the six or so must-have fasteners for homeowners and DIYers. Do you agree or disagree? Would you add any others? Let us know in the comments below.
The Workhorse: Three Inch Deck Screw
In the world of fasteners, there are many options to choose from, but not all are created equal. However, according to the Honest Carpenter, there is one screw that stands out above the rest as the “Workhorse” of the bunch: the three inch deck screw.
Deck screws are a staple in much of the professional and DIY work, and for good reason. They are often coated in an epoxy layer that makes them resistant to corrosion, making them perfect for all sorts of exterior applications. The three inch length is also a great catch-all size, able to attach rails, fence posts, and handle a wide variety of other duties with bulky exterior lumber. They also work just as well for quick interior shop framing, making them a versatile option for any project.
While deck screws are often gray or tan in color, they are anything but boring when it comes to their usefulness. The two inch deck screw is a necessary step down from the three inch, catching a wide range of applications that three inches may be overkill for. The two inch trim screw, with its narrow head and Torx or Square Drive, is perfect for more delicate operations, able to enter stock without splitting it or leaving a big entry hole.
For light duty projects, the one and 5/8 inch coarse drywall screw is highly useful. Despite their reputation for being brittle, these screws can take a good amount of pressure before they snap, making them perfect for light duty wood projects and drywall repair. The one inch coarse drywall screw is also a great option for really thin materials, such as paneling on the back of cabinets.
Finally, for super thin materials, the half inch gutter screw is a great option. These screws work well with sheet metal, able to drive through metal gutters and downspouts and pin components together just like a rivet would. They are easy to drive with their hex heads and short length, making them perfect for these applications.
In conclusion, the three inch deck screw may be the “Workhorse” of the bunch, but there are many other useful fasteners to keep on hand for any project. From delicate trim screws to sturdy drywall screws, having a variety of options will ensure that any project is completed with ease.
The Step Down: Two Inch Deck Screw
In this episode of the Honest Carpenter Show, Ethan James shares his top picks for must-have fasteners for homeowners and DIYers. Among these, the two-inch deck screw stands out as a necessary step down from its three-inch counterpart.
Deck screws are often coated in an epoxy layer that gives them a paint-like finish and makes them resistant to corrosion. This makes them perfect for exterior applications, such as attaching rails, fence posts, and bulky exterior lumber. However, the three-inch length can sometimes be overkill for thinner materials.
Enter the two-inch deck screw, which provides a decent hold with three-quarters of an inch of fastener in the top material and one and a quarter inches in the bottom material. This makes it eligible for use with any material thinner than two-by, which has become very common for fencing and exterior decoration.
But the two-inch deck screw isn’t just limited to exterior applications. It’s also great for a quick interior shop framing, especially when working with kiln-dried materials for projects. While toenailing may be necessary to avoid punch-through, these screws are extremely useful for lightweight framing projects.
So, if you’re looking for a versatile and multifunctional screw to keep on hand, the two-inch deck screw is a must-have for any homeowner or DIYer.
The Delicate Operator: Two Inch Trim Screw
The two inch trim screw may not look like much, but it’s a delicate operator that can handle a variety of light duty tasks. With its Torx or Square Drive head and narrow profile, it can enter stock without splitting it or leaving a big entry hole.
This makes it perfect for quick trim repairs or installations, as well as other delicate operations. At two inches in length, it can get through trim, drywall, and still get almost one inch into studs, making it the perfect drive depth for light duty tasks.
While other screws may be more versatile, the two inch trim screw is a must-have for any DIYer or homeowner who wants to tackle delicate projects with ease. So next time you’re at the hardware store, don’t overlook this little gem!
The Light Duty Champ: One and Five Eighths Inch Coarse Drywall Screw
When it comes to light duty projects, the one and five eighths inch coarse drywall screw is the go-to fastener. Despite being considered brittle by some, this screw can handle a good amount of pressure before snapping. Its thin body and fine bugle head make it easy to drive and sink, making it perfect for all sorts of light duty wood projects and drywall repairs.
With a catch length of one and five eighths inches, this screw can handle half inch drywall and even 5/8 inch drywall, which is often found in garage ceilings and some bathrooms. It’s also a great option for attaching really thin materials, like paneling on the back of cabinets.
The bugle head of this screw allows it to lie very flat in a slight countersink, preventing it from bulging the wood or standing out. It may not have the same level of strength as nails, but for most lightweight framing projects, it’s extremely useful nonetheless.
So, the next time you’re working on a light duty project, don’t overlook the one and five eighths inch coarse drywall screw. It may just be the light duty champ you’ve been looking for.
The Thin Material Specialist: One Inch Coarse Drywall Screw
In this episode of the Honest Carpenter show, the host provides some quick tips for collecting fasteners. He advises against buying decorative screws or basic wood screws with a strong silver or bronze patina, as they are often softer metals that deform easily when driving. He also suggests avoiding screws with strange head patterns like pan heads, truss heads, or oval heads, as they are often specialty and not as useful.
Moving on to the list of must-have fasteners, the host introduces the one inch coarse drywall screw as the perfect option for light-duty wood projects. Although some may argue that eyeball screws are more durable, the host believes that one inch coarse drywall screws are highly useful for DIYers because of their fine bugle head and thinness. They are easy to drive and sink, making them perfect for drywall repair and half-inch drywall and 5/8-inch applications, which are often found in garage ceilings and some bathrooms.
The one inch coarse drywall screw is also a great option for attaching really thin material like paneling on the back of cabinets. Its bugle head allows it to lie flat in a slight countersink, preventing bulging and standing out. For even thinner materials, the host recommends the half-inch gutter screw, which can be driven through metal gutters and downspouts and pin components together like a rivet.
In conclusion, the one inch coarse drywall screw is a must-have for any DIYer or homeowner looking to tackle light-duty wood projects or drywall repair. Its fine bugle head and thinness make it easy to drive and sink, while its versatility allows it to handle a variety of applications.
The Tiny Titan: Half Inch Gutter Screw
In the hardware aisle, there are fasteners of every kind, but which ones should a homeowner keep around? The Honest Carpenter has got you covered with his must-have list of fasteners.
While many screws are available in small packs, it’s best to avoid decorative or basic wood screws with a strong silver or bronze patina. Instead, opt for one-pound boxes of more generic screws.
When it comes to screw heads, avoid strange patterns like pan heads, truss heads, or oval heads. Instead, go for screws with a Torx or Square Drive and a narrower head, like the two-inch trim screw.
But what about tiny screws for delicate operations? Look no further than the half-inch gutter screw. These little guys are perfect for pinning components together like a rivet would and can be driven through metal gutters and downspouts.
For even thinner materials, the one-inch coarse drywall screw is a great option. They’re thin with a fine bugle head, making them easy to drive and sink. And for the thinnest applications, the one-inch drywall screw is as good as any.
But let’s not forget about the workhorses of the screw world. The three-inch deck screw is great for all sorts of exterior applications, while the two-inch deck screw is perfect for thinner materials. And for light-duty projects, the one and 5/8 inch coarse drywall screw is highly useful.
So there you have it, the Honest Carpenter’s must-have list of fasteners for homeowners and DIYers. Do you agree or disagree? Let him know in the comments.
Special Mention: Self-Drilling Screws
In the world of fasteners, self-drilling screws are the superheroes that can bore through even the thickest types of metal and fasten to them without pre-drilling. These screws have cutter heads that enable them to penetrate metal with ease, making them a must-have for DIY enthusiasts and homeowners alike.
But don’t just take our word for it. The Honest Carpenter himself, Ethan James, swears by these screws, ranking them as one of his top picks for must-have fasteners. In fact, he even dedicated an entire video to them, highlighting their versatility and usefulness in a variety of applications.
So, whether you’re working on a DIY project or just need to fix something around the house, self-drilling screws are the go-to fastener for all your metal fastening needs. And thanks to their ease of use and reliability, you won’t have to worry about sourcing them again anytime soon.
