What Fastener is Going to Work Best for Me?
Whether it’s a wood screw or a 12d framing nail, you can be sure that these fasteners are going to hold your next home improvement project together for good. But what type of fastener do you use for certain projects? Use this guide to fasteners and find out for yourself exactly the style of fastener you need for your next home improvement project.
Framing Nails
One of the most common styles of fasteners, framing nails come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes. These nails are typically used to hold larger materials together. They come in various lengths from 4″ down to 2 ½” and come in a variety of widths ranging from 4d to 16d. They are also coated with a few different materials for rust resistance or gripping power so be sure to choose the correct coating for your next project.
Finish Nails
Just like a tiny version of a framing nail, finish nails use a smaller head, skinnier shaft and different coatings to provide a wide variety of attachment solutions for a wide variety of wood projects. Finish nails have a smaller head so that they can be countersunk using a nail punch. This allows the hole to be covered with wood putty to hide the hole for good.
Concrete Nail
This wide flat and thick nail is used to join wood to concrete. By reducing the point and flattening the nail, it allows the nail to still penetrate wood, while entering concrete and creating a tight permanent fit. These nails can be tricky to nail in using a hammer-especially smaller 4d concrete nails. Hard cut steel nails can also be dangerous if they are driven wrong, allowing hot metal shards to escape the nails surface, so be careful and take your time using these heavy duty nails.
Brads
These tiny nails can be as small as a pin or as large as a medium sized finish nail. Brads work great for joining smaller and lighter materials together that a conventional nail will destroy. Brads are excellent for joining veneers and trim pieces and are used in many woodworking projects in and around the home. Brads are often used in furniture making to join upholstery and thin veneers.
Spiral Shank
Typically used for siding, spiral shank nails typically come in 6d-12d diameters and at length ranging from 3 ½” to 1″ shafts. The difference between these nails is that they have a spiral shank that works to hold the nail in place for good. These are commonly used in siding and other outdoor wood working projects.
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