The Nuts & Bolts of Nails, Screws and More

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Framing nails have much thicker shanks and much wider head diameters (2- and 31/2-inch lengths are the most useful). Finishing nails are shorter and thinner, with tiny heads relative to shank diameter (11/2- and 21/2-inch lengths are the most useful). The tiny heads can be driven into wood and covered with putty to hide them.

Another kind of nail is a large spike (see photo, Page 96), which is ideal for big projects such as fencing and timberwork (6-, 8- and 12-inch lengths are the most useful).

If a nail is worth driving, it should last a long time once its in place. Thats why I use hot-dipped galvanized nails for all exterior applications. They cost a bit more, but theyre definitely worth the extra cost, because untreated steel nails can corrode to nothing in a decade. Always wear safety glasses when driving nails, especially galvanized ones. The zinc-based treatment that keeps rust at bay also makes the steel more brittle. Its not unusual for bits of metal to fly off when you pound a galvanized nail.

If you have some hardwood trim to install with finishing nails, then youll need to pre-drill holes (called pilot holes) to prevent splitting, or you can speed things up with a tool called a nail spinner. This small, inexpensive device fits into any drill and uses a nail as its own drill bit. Load one nail into the tip of the spinner, press the nail to the wood, switch on the drill and then push. In a few seconds, the nail will burrow its way into the trim. Pull the drill and spinner off the nail and then drive the nail the rest of the way with a hammer.

Bolts, Nuts and Washers

Use bolts whenever screws arent strong enough for the job, or when there isnt enough material for screws to grab solidly.

Carriage bolts have a domed head and are ideal for use in exterior wood projects. Lag bolts (also called lag screws) have threads like wood screws and have a hexagonal-shaped (hex) head on top. They can be used either in wood or soft metal anchors set into pre-drilled masonry holes. Machine bolts have hexagonal heads and threads that will accept a nut. Keep an assortment of lengths on hand, from three-sixteenths to three-eighths inch in diameter, along with matching sizes of plain nuts and washers. Buy larger bolts as needed for special projects.

Threaded rod is essentially a long threaded bolt without a head. I buy it in 24- to 36-inch lengths and find it is one of the best ways to join things that are too wide to be spanned by regular bolts, such as foundation cribs and large timber connections. For general purpose, the best size of threaded rod is five-eighths inch in diameter. This size is large enough for most projects, it is readily available, and you can easily cut it with a hacksaw.

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