We’ve previously tackled the question of metal vs plastic screws, but what about wood screws? With so many types of fasteners in existence and so many extensive uses for them (more than 200 billion screws, nuts, and bolts are used every year), discovering the best option for your project can seem extremely daunting. When it comes to choosing between wood vs metal screws, you really only need to consider the following two things.
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Wood screws, as their name suggests, are for use in wooden projects. They are specifically designed to be driven into materials like plywood or lumber: they have shorter threading (usually up to an inch) that follows a different pattern to account for the fact that wood can become shredded, rendering the screw useless. Miniature wood screws have fewer pitches (the number of threads per inch) for this very reason.
Metal screws, on the other hand, are a better choice for projects that, say, involve sheet metal. They are designed to be easier to drive into metal and offer a greater level of strength and security. Metal screws have threading that is two or more inches, and they are threaded throughout the entire length of the screw to ensure the tightest hold. If your material is metal, use metal screws; if it’s wooden, use wood screws!
Wood screws, though they come in a variety of sizes, are not very practical on a micro scale; most wooden projects, therefore, do not call for custom micro screws. On such a small scale, the threading would not be able to hold anything in place in a wooden environment. Nails would most likely be the next best choice. However, the base material is the most important aspect here, as metal custom micro screws are frequently used in a wide variety of industries and applications.
Do your research before investing in hundreds of custom micro screws or custom fasteners; if you end up with the wrong product, you have only yourself to blame. By taking a closer look at the two aspects listed above, you can narrow down your options, learn the difference between wood and metal screws, and figure out which is right for your project.