He’s sure it’s something really simple but still wants to know why some screws are listed by diameter and threadcount (3/8-16) and others are just #6 or whatever? Or, perhaps more to the point, what does a #6 or #8 screw translate into?
Lee Grindinger: Well, it’s not as simple as you may suspect. All screws are listed by diameter but the terms used for different types of screws vary. A 3/8″-16 screw is a machine screw, the “3/8” is the diameter and the “16” is the number of threads per inch. This screw will thread into a nut or threaded hole. Wood screws are tapered and thread count is not part of the description.A gage number like “6” is the diameter and the length is the length of the screw that goes into the wood not inclusive of the head unless it’s a flat head. The smaller the gage number the smaller the screw diameter (opposite of nails and wire diameter, sheesh). Heads come in a plethora of configurations as well, from driver type like slotted, phillips, square and Robinson, to shape of the head like round, flat and oval. Drywall screws are sized by gage (diameter) and length and come in either coarse or fine thread. Get a full scale chart to hang on your wall in the shop. Once you get the hang of the system identifying the screw you need is not too difficult, but it is confusing.
