The video “Drywall screws prove BETTER than my most expensive wood screws!” is by Stumpy Nubs (James Hamilton). In this engaging exploration, James takes a deep dive into the world of screws, comparing the often-maligned drywall screws with premium alternatives. His findings may just change the way you think about these everyday fasteners.
The Love-Hate Relationship with Drywall Screws
James begins by reminiscing about his early days as a woodworker, where he relied heavily on drywall screws for projects like workbenches, shelves, and cabinets. They were affordable and readily available, making them a staple in his toolkit.
Over time, however, he was warned by more experienced craftsmen that drywall screws were weak and prone to failure, leading him to shy away from them in favor of pricier, premium screws.
Despite this caution, James reflects on some lofts he built years ago using drywall screws, which have held up remarkably well over the years, even under significant weight. This leads him to question: are drywall screws really as bad as experts claim? Or has he just been lucky?
Testing Methodology
To answer these questions, James decided to put various screws to the test. He compared five common screw types, all 1¼ inches long and size number eight, including:
- Zinc plated wood screws (most expensive at 7.5 cents each)
- GRK premium multi-purpose screws (6.8 cents each)
- Spax premium construction screws (4.6 cents each)
- Standard coated deck screws (4.3 cents each)
- Standard drywall screws (2.5 cents each, least expensive)
His tests focused on overall strength, brittleness, and the impact of various features like thread geometry and head design.
The Hard Maple Test
James conducted a rigorous test by driving 15 screws of each type into hard maple without pilot holes, which put immense stress on the screws. He aimed to see how each screw would perform under high torque conditions and whether their design features made any real difference.
What he discovered was quite surprising. The zinc plated wood screws performed poorly, snapping off quickly. In contrast, none of the drywall screws broke, even under the same conditions. Instead, they caused significant splitting in the wood fibers, which James notes is a crucial aspect to consider.
Understanding Screw Features
James explains how the design of a screw impacts its performance. For example, drywall screws lack the features that help reduce wood splitting, such as fluted tips or serrated threads. These features are designed to help the screw cut its own hole and minimize damage to the surrounding wood fibers.
He found that the Spax screws, with their unique serrated threads, performed exceptionally well, effectively cutting through the wood without causing significant splitting. The GRK screws, while not as aggressive, still performed admirably.
Head Design Matters
Another critical factor in the performance of screws is their head design. James notes that drywall screws have a bugle-shaped head, which is less effective at compressing wood fibers compared to the conical heads of other screws. This design flaw can lead to the heads snapping off or stripping out the wood fibers.
In his tests, he observed that the deck screws, with their dual bevel heads, effectively embedded themselves into the wood without stripping out the holes. The GRK screws, with their aggressive cutting design, managed to bore into the wood without issue.
Final Thoughts
To sum up his findings, James concluded that while drywall screws are strong enough for non-structural projects, they lack features that could enhance their performance. Premium screws offer benefits like fluted tips and serrated threads, which can significantly improve grip and reduce fiber separation when no pilot hole is used.
However, he emphasizes that using a pilot hole with a countersink and a drill with a clutch can enhance the effectiveness of any screw, even the inexpensive drywall variety. This insight challenges the notion that you must always opt for the most expensive option.
In the end, James’s test serves as a valuable reminder that the most expensive isn’t always the best, and sometimes the humble drywall screw holds its own in the right circumstances.