WOOD & MATERIALS
Hardware & Fasteners
Guides about hardware & fasteners.
6 guides
1½" Wood Screws
How to Choose, Size, and Use Them
The complete beginner's guide to 1½" wood screws — what gauge to buy, when this length is right, pilot hole sizes, and the Kreg pocket-hole exception.
1¼" Wood Screws
The Pocket-Hole Length — When to Use It and When Not To
1¼" is the pocket-hole screw. Learn when it's right, which gauge to buy, how to stop face frames from splitting, and when to step up to 1½".
18 Gauge Brad Nails: Uses, Holding Power, and vs 16 Gauge
The Brad Nailer Standard for Trim and Cabinet Work
18 gauge brad nails work for trim, cabinet assembly, and light joinery — but not everything. Diameter specs, holding power data, air pressure by species.
Brad Nailer vs Finish Nailer
Which One You Actually Need and When to Use Each
Brad nailers shoot 18-gauge nails for light trim. Finish nailers shoot 15- or 16-gauge nails for baseboards and cabinetry. Here's how to choose.
Countersink Drill Bit: How to Choose and Use One
The Bit That Makes Screws Sit Flush Instead of Splitting Your Wood
A countersink bit creates a conical recess so flat-head screws seat flush. Learn which type to buy, how to size it, and how to drill clean holes.
Picking the right wood screws for your project
Gauge, Diameter, Pilot Holes, and How to Choose
#6 = 0.138", #8 = 0.164", #10 = 0.190". Wood screw gauge, pilot, and clearance specs, plus the 2/3 thread-penetration rule for picking length.