This UNNOTICED Screw Detail Makes a Big Difference! (COARSE THREAD vs. FINE THREAD)

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This UNNOTICED Screw Detail Makes a Big Difference! (COARSE THREAD vs. FINE THREAD)
Most people don't look too closely at the screws that they use...and they might ignore the screw threads altogether. But the orientation and size of the screw threads plays a huge role in fastener usage!
Coarse Thread screws are better for softer materials, like SOFTWOODS and PLYWOODS.
These materials also account for the majority of lumber that we use in residential construction. Therefore, most of our common screws are coarse thread.
But, Fine Thread screws are better for harder materials, like METALS and HARDWOODS. The narrower, shorter threads are less aggressive, and establish more contact points with the material. (However, they often require pre-drilling for usage with lumber.)
Both DRYWALL SCREWS and POCKET SCREWS tend to come in both coarse thread and fine thread.
Fine drywall screws are for driving into steel studs and other soft, thin metals. Coarse drywall screws are for driving into wood.
Fine pocket screws are for embedding into hardwood face frames. Coarse pocket screws are for embedding into softwood face frames, like pine.
Thanks for watching!
The Honest Carpenter

[@stevenwymor1398]

BTW, my high school AP Physics teacher told us that a screw is essentially just a conical or cylindrical section with an inclined plane wrapped around the section. It was a cool explanation about how we use simple geometry to do so much work for us. That was over 40 years ago, and I still think about it every time a use a screw. Some lessons just stick with you forever.

[@Kittyququmber]

Interesting, remembering my junior school math teacher telling me two points make a straight line. I could not grasp what he meant. Yet now decades later i always remember him when cutting or sewing a straight line🙏

[@rickyspanish9625]

Yep just a big spiraled wedge, and a wedge needs to have a normal force to produce friction and stay tight. Which is why when people set toilets without the plastic washers under the metal ones they eventually come loose due to the lack of deformation of the plastic. As a plumber I see this often.

[@planerdude88]

Until the Alzheimer's hits

[@MrCaveman74]

I recall a similar definition from the show Big Bang Theory. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eqHRp4ZtoLJnfNUsi=V8kemaLkun0YZHZi

[@Nurturing2]

SO COOL❣️

[@cajunsurvivor]

I appreciate the fast straight to the point videos that actually bring value. This is a rare commodity on KZbin. Thank you

[@dirtfarmer7472]

Yes, I agree with you get it got it good. Don’t waste my time with a long intro, just get on with it.

[@tomasprochazka6198]

It's because he has something to say.

[@aliciafranco5704]

I can always count on honest carpenter to show me the right way to DIY❤

[@partsdave8943]

“This is the way…” Couldn’t resist a Mandalorian reference. 😊

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thank you, Alicia! 🙂

[@taylorharrison3585]

Love your videos man. As a DYI guy, I love learning all this stuff so I can so I can do it right. Thank you!

[@thebewitchinghour831]

Growing up, my dad taught me and my sister the two "basic screws" and had us retrieve them every time so we learned. "Go to the workbench and grab me a handful of "wood screws". "Go to the workbench and grab me a handful of "sheet metal screws". My dad was a jack of all trades and a master mechanic where he worked so he knew them all in detail but that was just his easy way of teaching us when we were little. I always loved dad's life lessons. He's a very smart man.

[@tedspens]

I've always known fine thread for hardwood and course thread for softwood, but I never really thought about it in such detail. Thanks for the deep dive into the topic. I'll pay more attention to which type of screw I use for given applications.

[@ianbelletti6241]

Fine thread is often used for metals as well.

[@vladislavshatilov1711]

Coarse-thread screws are generally used for quick assembly, while fine-thread screws provide better holding strength. Coarse threads are more resistant to stripping, making them suitable for softer materials, while fine threads are effective in harder materials. The choice depends on the specific application and materials being used.

[@cytoarchitect]

You're right to feel offended, since that was obviously a personal comment directed at you alone. Despite the fact that the sole purpose of that comment was to insult your intelligence however, I thought it was useful to see this comment and have the question answered in about a second, as opposed to having to sit through an entire 5 min video@@n40tom

[@n40tom]

@cytoarchitect And if I offended you then I apologize also. I think I might have been having a bad night so I will delete my first comment . Take care and be safe

[@cytoarchitect]

We all have bad days. The world needs more integrity and humility, as you've shown. I respect you for that. Keep your head up brother @@n40tom

[@sebastienboisvert8561]

The drywall screw thread type finally makes sense after all these years, I made the mistake to buy fine thread once and it was the worst time installing drywall. Thanks for the explanations, always well delivered and easy to understand.

[@mr.c6674]

THIS is one of those videos that makes notice of the intricate details of screw fasteners I would have never thought about. I'm a DIY'er, and I know there are coarse and fine options, but never gave much thought as to why. I always simply thought the screw was crappy if it didn't go through the wood or metal well. Thank you for this.

[@vazpayd2270]

Thank you again for another great video. In these past three years you have helped elevate the quality of my projects by like 35%. That's a lot

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thank you, vaz! I take great pride in a 35% margin 😄

[@gizmo7877]

I learn so much from you as a novice 77 year old woman who loves working with wood. I know all these tips help to create a better outcome. I craft and DIY a lot so these tips come in handy. You know so much about so much! Glad I found your site.

[@JCtheMusicMan_]

I learned at an early age through experimentation that screw thread spacing is related to the material you are screwing into, which you so clearly explain! ❤

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thanks JC! With enough experimenting, it all starts to become clear. 😁

[@JCtheMusicMan_]

@@TheHonestCarpenter absolutely! Learning the hard way has always been my default due to impatience and just grabbing the nearest “screw”. As I got older I decided that going to the hardware store to get the right tools for the job was an overall time and materials saver, which I learned by doing it wrong 🤣

[@rickrudd]

Matthias Wandel just did a pull-out test in hard maple and found them to be almost identical. Softwoods are probably a lot different.

[@throatwobblermangrove8510]

Thanks for this. Not only was it good information, but your illustrations were great and your explanations were well-paced and in-depth without being pedantic or condescending.

[@tgp-rq2wi]

Great video! Maybe you could do one on the different types of screws, like wood screws, machine screws, etc. and how to tell the difference by looking at the heads, and why the heads are the shape they are. Keep up the great work!

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Great idea, tgp! I will indeed do that video. So much to be said about screws!

[@PhantomFilmAustralia]

Thank you so much for sparing us the long-winded intro and getting straight to the point. Your lack of gratuitousness and concise, efficient tutorial has earned you another subscriber. Now it's time for me to check out your back catalogue of videos!

[@davidskidmore1670]

Thanks for answering a long-standing question I’ve had. Great explanation. Thank you!

[@NickatLateNite]

As a 30 yr. kitchen remodeler, installing mostly oak cabinets, I always pre-drilled the face frame, used Jorgensen wood clamps & Ivory soaped, fine threaded screws👍

[@user-ki4wz2ic7h]

Dude. I’ve always wondered why there was different threads on dry wall screws etc. your explanation was so on point. Thanks for sharing!

[@nikiTricoteuse]

Thank you. I love that you got straight to the point with clear succinct explanations interspersed with some great demonstrations of how, where and why. Some content creators seem to love the sound of their own voices more than they love actually teaching/demonstrating anything. As a middle aged spinster on a fixed income, l've had to teach myself all sorts of DIY skills over the years. I nearly didn't bother watching this cos, my first thought was, - Meh, screws apart from, wood, metal, drywall or self tapping. What's to know? - I love how wrong l was. l was hoping you'd also clarify why the unthreaded part varies in length but, you may have done that in other videos. Have subscribed and am off to learn some more from your other videos. Thanks. 😊

[@G.I.JeffsWorkbench]

Great, easy to understand coverage of an often overlooked construction & woodworking detail. Thanks for making us smarted.

[@khervinjaycolita]

Just in time for my project. About to order a bunch when I encountered this two types. About to DIY a Loft bed and some cabinets. Thanks for the very informative video.

[@ronniekeates3349]

Excellent, concise compilation of information on screw threads. Thank you. I learned stuff today 😁

[@cyn4rest]

Love your Channel! You’ve saved me so much grief over the years that I can’t even quantify it! Huge! Lol. Thanks so much.

[@l.clevelandmajor9931]

I took woodshop classes for three years in school and was taught the difference between the different threads on screws in the first two weeks of my first year. I never forgot that lesson because the teacher demonstrated his lessons so that we all were able to cement the knowledge in our minds. In that same year I learned about other joining techniques as well, including dovetail joints. In my later years I went to college and took carpentry classes just to get the credentials for what I already knew. By that time I had become a woodworker extraordinaire, with the skills to fit cabinetry to the interior walls of buses. I was already a good cabinet and furniture designer and maker. The biggest reason for having such high skills in woodworking is because my father, his father, and his father's father were all woodworkers, and I learned most of my knowledge from them. Like my grandfather I got into designing and making furniture, not because it made money for me, but because it is an artform, and is a lot of fun to do. The money I made doing it was just a bonus for doing what I love so well.

[@busman2050]

Pat yourself on the back

[@garymiller5937]

Hi Ethan. I knew that but I appreciate the in-depth explanation. I really enjoy your videos. You do an excellent job presenting your material and excitedly await your new content. 😊😊😊😊😊

[@citronm1405]

I just thought they made different types of screws! This was very informative. Thanks!

[@vknglion]

Great video as always. For years I've always really wondered about this, Had a general idea about the differences, but this helped me really understand them. Also, really TGP's idea for a video about all the different head screws. That would definitely be a great video. Thanks for all the great info you provide. Take care

[@DennisMoore664]

I appreciate clear and and concise information so I really appreciate your content. Thanks for another great video, Honest Carpenter dude!

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thank you, Orwellian! I appreciate the positive feedback 😄

[@JamieE76]

Your videos are always so interesting and detailed! :)

[@doobielawson702]

Information I didn't know I needed lol. Your videos are always excellent!

[@jublywubly]

Thanks for making this video. It's good to know I remembered why they have different threads.

[@surelywoo]

I knew the general idea of the difference, but this added some details that I had not considered. Thanks!

[@marymendoza3351]

Wow! This is exactly the info I needed…coincidently I’ve been trying to figure out oak that is the outer wood & pine which is the inner…thanks!

[@craighellberg4366]

Now, that is the exact opposite that I thought it would be. Once again, another educational video. Thank you!

[@hupguan]

Thanks for sharing, it's really useful. I normally don't even notice the difference, but will look out for it now. 😀😄

[@leagarner3675]

Well-timed topic for me, thanks!

[@user-er6zg9jp5c]

I thought this was super helpful! Thank you so very much for your channel.

[@johnkelley9877]

This was a big help and you explained a lot of things I had not considered before! Thanks for sharing this.

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

You’re welcome, John!

[@claireebedard1153]

This is the kind of niche knowledge I come here to find. Keep up the good work!

[@MBMCincy63]

Yes Ethan takes the details and makes them clear. Thanks for your knowledge sharing. 🥶🖤🔔👍🏻❤️

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thanks so much, Mary Beth!

[@jsmall10671]

Never even thought about some of that, great vid.

[@MrZooBreak]

Nice presentation. Simple and to the point.

[@Megrim3]

Thanks for teaching me how to properly screw.

[@xmenesesx]

the info i didn't know i needed! THANKS

[@MarshWaha]

Love the honest carpenter channel, best channel ever.

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

😁😁

[@shangrilahomestead9930]

Awesome information! Thank you so much!😊

[@danwaller5312]

This guy is so good I save his videos BEFORE I even watch them!!

[@theaterthug7]

AMAZING KNOWLEDGE,THANK YOU SIR

[@JackKirbyFan]

Nate, you are the man! Great video and I myself never considered it but knew it through experience - but without thinking too much about it. Ironic for me. I often overthink everything. You explained it well. Thank you.

[@michaellacaria910]

That’s good to know, thanks for pointing that out because sometimes I don’t have the fine thread. As Ethan points out here, the way they go in makes a difference and i pre drill hardwoods and so far so good, although i do experience that squeak once in a while.

[@coyotech55]

Thanks, that was a good and helpful explanation. I knew most of this through trial and error, but hadn't thought it through: why those fine threads suck on soft wood, or why sheet metal and pole barn screws are both fine and coarse, or why those fine thread door closer screws they supply always rip out of my pine door frame on a windy day.

[@paulzirker706]

Very informative video ethan. I learnt something fine screws threads for hardwoods.

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thanks, Paul! 👍

[@David.M.]

Thanks Ethan, great explaination.

[@Sean-vh8pm]

Great explanation. Thank you. 🙂

[@rollofffrank2008]

Great explanation thank you!

[@billdent7449]

Love ypur video's and the explanations. Thanks

[@abad_gtr1123]

always useful information....thanks!

[@jimadams6159]

Brilliant video as always.

[@cakeman58]

This is an excellent, informative video. It got you another sub.

[@RadenVijaya]

Thank you for the lesson 😊

[@johnduffy6546]

That was a very helpful video!

[@Michael-iw3ek]

I love the straight to the point approach. Only 40 seconds (about 12% of the video's length) are wasted on useless introductions and commercials.

[@busman2050]

Theres ine guy.on you tube that spends 30 minutes telling us hiw you can tell difference between fake and real milwaukee batteries

[@billashby7858]

To add a little to what you said, when screwing into steel studs you can usually drill into 20 to 25ga metal with a "good" fine thread sharp point screw, however drilling into anything heavier would require a self drilling fine threaded screw! Attaching plywood into heavy gauge metal (18ga or heavier) you can use what they call a ply metal tek with wings, no predrilling required!

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Awesome. Thanks for the extra info, Bill!

[@Suds649]

Thank you for informing me.

[@rodneyhammon1793]

Great information as usual!…thanks!…😊

[@chrisharris4047]

great explanation - thanks

[@keiththompson2289]

Always learn something from you.

[@lightingbauer]

What a great video! He answered a question I didn't even know I had.

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

😁😁

[@jackhuang8560]

Been watching your video long time. Please continue these Great Videos.

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thank you, Jack! I will 🙂

[@davepowder4020]

Once again, my time on an Honest Carpenter video is time VERY WELL SPENT! 😀

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

👍😁

[@REXXSEVEN_II]

Thanks for this!

[@renelescault1282]

Great explanations thanks.

[@curtisfulton1442]

One of my favorite channels

[@JeffreyWillis800]

wow, awesome information. just subscribed.

[@budgetaudiophilelife-long5461]

🙋‍♂️ETHAN …THANKS FOR EXPLAINING THE DETAILS 🧐 HELPING OLD AND NEW ONES 🤗👍💚💚💚

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

You’re welcomed, Budget! 😄

[@wolfhors3_660]

Thanks, I didn't even know I wanted to know that...but i did.👍

[@YukonHawk1]

Great information. Thank you

[@keithcanfield3251]

There are a couple of things that I see even experienced carpenters do that drive me crazy. First thing is using a screw with threads all the way up the shank to attach two boards, without pre-drilling the top board. This results in the screw tightening all the way down to the first board, but the two boards are not sucked tight together. Secondly, is using drywall screws where construction screws should be used. For those that don't know the difference between drywall and construction screws, try this. Drive a construction screw half way into a 2 by 4 and use a hammer to hit it side to side. You'll find it just keeps bending. Try the same with a drywall screw and in the first few blows it will snap off. Obviously using sheet rock screws for things like framing can be dangerous

[@bogtrottername7001]

You are correct ! Drywall screws are not for structural use because the hardening process makes them brittle.

[@gorkyd7912]

@@bogtrottername7001 Nah. They're still incredibly strong and if they're driven all the way in they're not going to take a lateral hit from a hammer-like object bending them almost 90 degrees very frequently, so if there's no construction screws on hand then using a few cheap drywall screws tends to work just fine. Project Farm did a shear test for similarly-sized screws and nails 4 years ago and it showed drywall screws actually out-performing deck screws and GRK construction screws (and all nails). Probably because that extra "brittleness" resists bending, and the failure comes not from shearing off (which doesn't happen) but from bending which simply pulls the threads out of the static board. So actually drywall screws can be better. Goodbye.

[@jamescathcart4762]

I built hundred of fences with dry wall screws. Also lots of repair work for thirty years. Always held up. Never a call back. Thats a fact Jack!@@gorkyd7912

[@jamiekent1970]

Great explanation for the screw thread types most appreciated 👍 Could you be persuaded to do a video on nail types too, ie the twisted nails you use for joist hangers etc.. ❤

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

I’ll definitely cover some nails in the future too, Jamie!

[@LLOR]

Great video! Thank you!

[@geoffreywilliams9324]

Excellent summary . .

[@acreguy3156]

Very helpful. Thanks!!!!!

[@802Garage]

1:15 OUCH BRUH!

[@SharonCarbine]

Great tips, Ethan. Thank you!

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thanks Sharon!

[@dc5duben96]

this is a good tip!

[@brettbarager9101]

"It's a small detail but makes a big difference." Well said! Many years ago, I installed a drywall ceiling over resilient channel. Unfortunately, I used coarse thread (was quite inexperienced at the time) and it did not hold well at all! Took a long time to redo it with the proper screws (and then remove the coarse thread screws). What a mess! Certainly a lesson learned the hard way!

[@southpark4151]

This is an excellent vid.

[@thecelt4807]

top shelf mate greets from australia

[@renees1021]

This is one of those things I'd never know had you not told me. I was totally clueless.

[@MrTPF1]

Never knew the difference. Thanks!

[@dinojay8410]

Ethan, maybe consider expanding this topic to also consider material type ... such as using cement board (alkali resistant) or pressure treated wood and ACQ screws?

[@mikedurkee7296]

Thank you!

[@tinderbox218]

Interesting and useful, thanks

[@locolopelocolope]

Thank you 😃👍

[@marcbarash6045]

Thanks Ethan

[@diybeardedguy5517]

Great video!

[@johnd5643]

Awesome info.

[@gunterbecker8528]

Good stuff as always, you nearing a million subscribers not to far ahead in the future 😊

[@davidleung2432]

Thanks for a very clear explanation of the different tread sizes of screws. Can you please give some comments on the different lengths of the unthreaded shanks on different types of screws?

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Gonna cover that soon, David!

[@ourtube4266]

If anyone is interested the efficient engineer has a fantastic video about the driving principals behind threaded fasteners and why they’re so strong.