There’s nothing more annoying than getting all excited to start a DIY project, only to discover that you don’t have the right type of fastener on hand to get the job done!
If you’re likely to be embarking on DIY projects in the future, particularly if you have moved into your home or you are planning on selling it soon, it’s a good idea to make sure you’re stocked up on all of the fasteners that you might need so you can be sure that you won’t be caught short.
Screws
Screws are probably one of the most common fasteners because they are so durable and versatile. In addition, their threaded shafts means that they are often able to stay in place more effectively than other types of fastener.
To use a screw, you would typically create a pilot hole using a drill and then drive the screw into place with a screwdriver. Phillips head screws have a star-shaped hole in the top so that matching Phillips head screwdrivers can get a good purchase on them, and likewise, flat head screws have a hole shaped like a line.
The type of screw that you will need is dependent on your project. However, the main types of screws that you will come across are:
- Wood screws.
- Drywall screws
- Deck screws.
- Sheet metal screws.
- Machine screws.
- Masonry screws.
- MDF screws.
Each type of screw is named for the material that it works best with. As a result, they will vary in thread spacing, type of tip, and length.
Nails
Nails are the perfect thing to use if you want to join two pieces of reasonably soft wood together, so they are used a great deal in home DIY projects. The main difference between nails and screws is that nails don’t have threading; they are driven into place using a hammer.
One of the benefits of nails is that they can be used with a nail gun to make quick work of certain jobs. For example, if you wanted to attach a thin sheet of wood to a post, a nailgun would make incredibly short work of it.
If you’re going to use nails outside, it’s important that you choose a type of nail that is corrosion-resistant, like a roofing nail.
Bolts, nuts, and washers
Bolts, nuts, and washers are perfect if you need a more secure hold or joining together dense materials like thick pieces of wood.
It’s always a good idea to have spare nuts, bolts, and washers on hand. If you want to stock up, you can get a discounted price from Tradefix Direct if you buy in bulk. Otherwise, they offer competitive pricing that is comparable to trade prices.
Anchors
Anchors get their name because they are embedded in a material, much like a boat’s anchor, and then used to attach another material to it.
They are particularly effective if you attach material to things like a dry stone wall or other types of masonry.
