Without a pilot hole? Depends on the wood and how close to the edge.
Certainly #8 dry wall type screws will work in soft woods.
Most people drill pilot holes to avoid splitting, which of course
works with any diameter screw. There are tables that give the hole
size to be used with soft woods and hard woods. Someone can probably
name a site with the info.
jm wrote:
>
> I have two pieces from a 1x4 to screw together. I wanted to know how
> to figure out what size screw to use and not split the wood. Thank
> you for any help.
On 18 Jul 2004 19:30:58 -0700, [email protected] (jm) wrote:
>I have two pieces from a 1x4 to screw together. I wanted to know how
>to figure out what size screw to use and not split the wood. Thank
>you for any help.
This is assuming that the pieces are whole. If half-lapped, cut
everything in half by size. It's all common sense.
A bit less than 1.5" should do, so 1 1/4"; less if recessed. Clamp
and pre-drill if screws are wide [#10 vs #6] for strength. Keep
clamped until screws are firm. Don't drive in too fast or firmly with
a power driver, just good and snug will do, especially at the last
turn or two. If a lot to do, and if not too certain, drive with a
power driver and finish off the last few turns by hand. Some driver
chucks can be pre-set to ease off when under load, so you could be
safe enough there. The pre-drill bit should still give the screw some
bite, so not too large there either. Try on scrap if necessary.
If carrying a load, or just for the Hell of it, glue also.
Bill.
"Jim Wilson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> jm wrote...
> > I have two pieces from a 1x4 to screw together. I wanted to know how
> > to figure out what size screw to use and not split the wood. Thank
> > you for any help.
>
> You can use #6 x 1-1/4" screws for this. Without knowing your
> application, it's hard to say what kind of screw is best, but you'll
> probably be fine with just about anything, even drywall screws (the
> coarse ones). Sometimes these can be brittle, though. Real wood screws
> are stronger.
>
> Avoid splitting by pre-drilling both boards. Drill through both pieces
> using the small bit, and then re-drill the outside board only with the
> large bit.
>
> The small bit is whatever size the screw shank is. That's the threaded
> part of the screw, minus the threads. The large bit is the smallest size
> that will make a hole big enough to pass the screw threads through, but
> not the screw head.
>
> Cheers!
>
> Jim
It's a birdhouse. Thanks for the information.
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> >>It's a birdhouse. Thanks for the information.
If it's ONE modest birdhouse, then screwing it together would be quite
appropriate . Quite a nice project to do with a child.
If it gets to be more copies of said birdhouse, glue and brad nails
become less tedious. Just watch where you put the hand not holding the
nailer.
patriarch < wrote:
> "jm" <[email protected]> wrote in
> news:8%GKc.117129$IQ4.87648@attbi_s02:
>
>
>>"Jim Wilson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>news:[email protected]...
>>
>>>jm wrote...
>>>
>>>>I have two pieces from a 1x4 to screw together. I wanted to know how
>>>>to figure out what size screw to use and not split the wood. Thank
>>>>you for any help.
>>>
>>>
>>It's a birdhouse. Thanks for the information.
>>
>>
>
>
> You should glue it together. Use Titebond 3, because I heard it's
> waterproof.
>
> (G,D & R!)
>
> Patriarch
Especially if it is an underwater birdhouse for a penguin.
;-)
glen
jm wrote...
> I have two pieces from a 1x4 to screw together. I wanted to know how
> to figure out what size screw to use and not split the wood. Thank
> you for any help.
You can use #6 x 1-1/4" screws for this. Without knowing your
application, it's hard to say what kind of screw is best, but you'll
probably be fine with just about anything, even drywall screws (the
coarse ones). Sometimes these can be brittle, though. Real wood screws
are stronger.
Avoid splitting by pre-drilling both boards. Drill through both pieces
using the small bit, and then re-drill the outside board only with the
large bit.
The small bit is whatever size the screw shank is. That's the threaded
part of the screw, minus the threads. The large bit is the smallest size
that will make a hole big enough to pass the screw threads through, but
not the screw head.
Cheers!
Jim
"jm" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:8%GKc.117129$IQ4.87648@attbi_s02:
>
> "Jim Wilson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> jm wrote...
>> > I have two pieces from a 1x4 to screw together. I wanted to know how
>> > to figure out what size screw to use and not split the wood. Thank
>> > you for any help.
>>
>>
>
> It's a birdhouse. Thanks for the information.
>
>
You should glue it together. Use Titebond 3, because I heard it's
waterproof.
(G,D & R!)
Patriarch
Total thickness 1.5", probably a #6 coarse drywall screw should work.
1.25" length should be available. By staying away from the ends and
edges, no pre-drilling should be needed.
Soft wood assumed and no appearance considerations specified.
On 18 Jul 2004 19:30:58 -0700, [email protected] (jm) wrote:
>I have two pieces from a 1x4 to screw together. I wanted to know how
>to figure out what size screw to use and not split the wood. Thank
>you for any help.
"jm" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I have two pieces from a 1x4 to screw together. I wanted to know how
> to figure out what size screw to use and not split the wood. Thank
> you for any help.
Any size you want with the proper sized pilot hole.
If you don't want to drill a hole, I'd stick with #6 and hope for the best.
Splitting is determined by a few factors; Type of wood, proximity to the
edge, type of threads on the screws. Spax screws seem to work better than
most when you don't drill a pilot hole.
Ed
[email protected]
http://pages.cthome.net/edhome