What Size Screws To Replace Penn Baja Special

There are a lot of different types of screws. We dug in and did piles of inquiry and put together this well organized and categorized screw ownership guide setting out and showing you every possible type of screwhead bachelor for each type of job, material, etc.

Practise you recall the first fourth dimension you stripped a screw?

I practice. My dad was not happy considering I stripped it trying to take information technology out. Fortunately we finagled information technology out, merely it was ugly.

When it comes to screws, there are a lot of different types of screws as well as an intricate set of parts to a screw. We dug in and decided to write an epic guide on spiral options. Here it is.

Related: Types of Lug Nuts | Types of Construction Nails| Forest screws vs. drywall screws vs. deck screws

I. Screwhead Buying Guide

Chart showing threescore types of screws, screw heads, bolts, nuts and washers chart

Finding the right type of screw head for your project when there are hundreds of combinations of the drive type and head shape can be disruptive, especially for kickoff DIYers.

It'southward important to understand the differences between the shapes and drive types, not only and so that y'all tin can discover the right tools for your screws, but also so that you can ensure that your screwhead does everything you need for your project.

First, let's focus on what information technology means for a screw to be countersunk or non-countersunk, and acquire nigh the unlike types of screwheads for each.

II. Screwhead Shapes

The shape of your screwhead may not seem important, only each head type is made that way for a reason, commonly enabling you to create your project easier, and with your preferred finish.

The head of a screw is where your screw will end. But the threaded part volition be beneath the surface of your project, leaving the head outside, or flush with, the surface.

Some caput shapes help to create the look of the finished product, but they as well usually accept a purpose beyond aesthetics. The head shape of the spiral also helps you drive the screw into your material using your force and the mechanics of the screw.

Three. Types of Screwheads

A. Countersunk Screw Heads

Source: For Mere Mortals

Countersinking is a method used to help prevent splitting forest when you drill.

With the use of a countersinking scrap, you tin create both a pilot concord and the proper angle needed to firm your screw.

The procedure pre-drills your hole with the correct caput angle to help create a professional-looking finish for your projection.

Some screwheads require countersinking considering of their shape and angle. Here are the head shapes you'll need to countersink before drilling:

1. Flat

Source: Amazon

Flat screwheads sit down entirely flush with a surface, leaving none of the head exposed. These types of screws require you to countersink them.

The benefit of apartment screws is that you won't accept to worry about your spiral sticking out from the surface and causing other things to take hold of on it, which is essential if you lot're creating your ain sofa or building a bookshelf that people will walk past frequently.

You also won't meet the screw caput if you utilize a screw cover.

Apartment Head Degrees

Flat head screws have varying degrees. The caste of a flat head refers to its had angle or the angle from the tiptop of the head to the surface where the threaded function meets the head.

An 82-degree flat head is the standard bending, but there are also xc-degrees, 100-degrees, and more. A higher degree requires a shorter, just more than spread out, countersink hole.

Flat Undercut 82-degree

A flat undercut 82-caste head has the aforementioned bending as a standard 82-degree head, just the head is much shorter. This caput shape helps give the spiral a longer thread on the aforementioned spiral length because of its shorter head size.

2. Raised

Source: Amazon

Raised heads, sometimes known equally oval-shaped heads, accept an bending much like flat screws just have more of a dome-shaped head. Y'all'll also need to countersink these screws to adjust the angle.

Unlike a flat screw, the head of a raised screw will come out of the surface slightly. This shape doesn't necessarily help the screw's drive performance, but it, instead, is more for decoration.

3. Bugle

Source: Amazon

Bugle heads are used mainly on screws made for plasterboard and drywall.

This shape is much similar a flat screw head, except that, instead of an bending underneath the surface of the caput, you'll encounter a curved shape that can reduce damage to a surface.

Bugle screws are cocky-drilling, then you won't demand to drill any pilot holes before using them, and their unique shape allows them to distribute stress over a wider surface than flat screws.

B. Not-Countersunk Screw Heads

Not-countersunk screws tend to have a head shape without an angle, and one that sits outside of the surface of your project, so it's not necessary to create an angle that houses the spiral caput.

Here are the most common types of heads that won't crave you to countersink them:

1. Binding

Source: Amazon

Bounden screws are a unique type of screw that you can employ for a range of projects. These screws have a slightly domed caput and spiral into each other with a male and female person side.

Often, brusque bounden screws can hold together big manuals and other bookbinding projects, but you can as well use them to concur together swatches, leather, and more than.

two. Domed

Source: Amazon

Domed heads are one of the most common types you'll find. These are ideal for projects that don't require you to hide the head of the screw like you lot would with a flat caput, such every bit with an ottoman using decorative screws that protrude from the fabric.

The dome shape creates a visually appealing blueprint on the surface, while the flat inner part of the dome helps the screw stop where it needs to simply at the surface.

3. Flange

Source: Amazon

Flange screws are sometimes referred to as frame screws.

The head of these screws tin vary from circular to hexed, and information technology juts out from a round flange straight underneath the head.

The flange helps the screw to remain in its position, taking the place of a washer for some projects.

4. Truss

Source: Amazon

Truss heads are typically wider than the heads on other screws and have a slightly rounded surface.

Y'all'll usually need truss heads when working with sheet metal and other projects that require large holes because the wide head prevents the truss screw from going through the hole.

C. Combination Heads

Although these are the more common types of heads for screws, it's possible to find variations and combinations of them.

Information technology'due south of import to pay attention to whether the screws need to be countersunk or not. Yous can always find this out by looking at the head.

A screwhead that requires countersinking will have an angular shape underneath the head, while a screw that doesn't demand countersinking volition be flat nether the caput.

Your project is also something to take into consideration. Practice you mind if a rounded head protrudes from the surface, or would you rather have a smooth finish from a flat screw?

Information technology'due south possible that y'all'll find a combination of screwheads that volition come across your needs, as long as y'all understand how each one will touch your project's assembly and finished wait.

D. Screwhead Drive Types

The bulldoze of a screwhead refers to the type of tool you'll need to install the screw. You lot'll notice several unlike shapes on screws, in addition to their blazon of head, that volition require a special type of screwdriver to work with the screw.

The drive is directly related to how the spiral attaches to a surface. Some drives are better at fugitive stripping, which renders a spiral useless, than others, only may also toll more than money and be more than hard to find tools for.

1. Hex External

Source: Amazon

External hex screws have a hexagonal caput shape that protrudes from the surface. Some accept congenital-in flanges, whereas others merely have the hexagon shape as the full caput.

You lot'll demand a wrench or socket to install or remove these screws. You can become good leverage on these screws since y'all plow the total caput, rather than merely an internal portion of the caput.

Run into more well-nigh hex bolts here.

2. Hex Internal

Source: Amazon

An internal hex screw requires an Allen wrench to install or remove.

These screws are common for furniture that requires some associates because they're unlikely to exist damaged past the Allen wrench when installing, dissimilar a Phillips or slotted spiral, leaving you with a pleasing finish.

Nigh internal hex screws come with an Allen wrench that fits them.

3. Phillips

Source: Amazon

A Phillips screw is i of the about common. This screw has a cross-shape that helps self-center the spiral to avoid it drilling at odd angles.

You can also utilise a drill with a Phillips screw because its self-centering pattern allows it to remain in place when you utilize strength from a drill. However, as well much force can strip the head quickly.

4. Pozidrive

Source: Amazon

Pizodrive screws wait like to the Phillips shape, except that they have a few more grooves in them that create a shape resembling a star.

You tin can sometimes employ a Phillips screwdriver to remove them, just non always.

These screws give slightly more stability when strength is applied than Phillips screws, but you'll demand a specific fleck or screwdriver to match the grooves.

Yous can tell the difference between a Pozidrive and Phillips screw past looking at them from the side. On the Pozidrive, you'll detect ribs between each of the four artillery, and they'll be marked with a "pz."

v. Quadrex

Source: Amazon

The Quadrex head bulldoze, also known every bit a Phillips square bulldoze, is a combination of Phillips and square recess.

It looks much like the Phillips design, except that the middle of the cross shape is squared rather than pointed, which tin can assist prevent stripping when y'all use more than force.

vi. Slotted

Source: Amazon

Slotted caput screws are what most people refer to as flathead screws, because they have ane narrow opening for a apartment screwdriver.

Although this type of spiral is one of the most common and inexpensive types, it'south besides the most decumbent to stripping. In fact, slotted screws are supposed to strip, by design, to prevent you lot from overtightening them.

Slotted screws are all-time for projects that require a few screws that you tin can screw manually, rather than with a powered drill, which volition oftentimes cause the screw to strip or cam out.

vii. Square Recess

Source: Amazon

Square recess screws are also commonly referred to as Robertsons.

These accept a square center point that prevents cam outs. The scrap that drives foursquare recess screws also juts out on a foursquare taper, which creates a cocky-holding pattern and so that you don't demand to hold the bit in place.

8. Star

Source: Amazon

Star-shaped heads embrace several dissimilar styles that course shapes that resemble stars.

The double-foursquare bulldoze has two Robertson'southward squares that form an 8-point star in the middle. Y'all tin use a Robertson's bit to drive it or apply a special one for the double-foursquare for higher torque application.

There'southward too a triple square with iii Robertson's squares, creating a 12-point star.

Triple squares are most unremarkably used when you need a loftier level of force without stripping the screw. You'll see them mostly on internal machine parts, similar drivetrain components.

9. TORX

Source: Amazon

Well-nigh people accept TORX spiral bits in their drill fleck sets but rarely use them.

TORX screws have a half dozen-point star shape in the center and are frequently used on electronics items, like computers and DVD players.

One of the reasons these screws are becoming more pop in recent years is considering of their ability to prevent cam out, which is especially helpful when edifice electronics.

10. TORX Plus

Source: OEM Fast

TORX Plus screws have shallower grooves between the star points to allow a screwdriver or bit to accept more contact with the screwhead, which will enable you lot to put more than strength on it.

11. Tri-Wing

Source: Global Industrial

Tri-Fly screws are a somewhat recent invention of the Phillips Screw Visitor, which offering both the ability to utilize more forcefulness than you could to a regular Phillips screw and more security than other screws.

The Tri-Wing design needs a special driver to install and remove it, and its deep grooves allow for more torque from a drill.

Due east. Tamper-Resistant Screws

If you find a spiral that looks a bit differently than the type information technology says information technology is, then information technology's probably a tamper-resistant version.

Tamper-resistant screws are variations of some of the almost common types, such equally TORX, Phillips, and Hex.

These screws are beneficial for utilize in public places that might fall victim to theft, like public restrooms, where expensive fixtures can be tempting for some.

There are various types of tamper-resistant screws, all of which offer multiple levels of security:

one. Pin Screws

Source: Amazon

The virtually common type of tamper-resistant screw, the pin screw will accept the same blueprint as what their regular versions have, such every bit a cross-shape for a Phillips screw, just with an boosted layer of security to prevent easy removal.

Each head will take an additional pin in the design that requires a special tool to install and remove them. A Phillips screwdriver volition not piece of work to install or remove a tamper-resistant Phillips screw.

2. Sentinel Screws

Source: Toolstop

Spotter screws offer high-level protection considering you can just drive them one mode. They're challenging to remove, and so they're all-time for permanent fixtures.

iii. 2-Hole Screws

Source: Amazon

2-hole screws, besides known as spanners, offer security without sacrificing the finished look. They have a flat head with two small holes that require a special tool to install and remove them.

F. More Details

In that location are a few more of import things to note virtually different screwheads before you brand a purchase:

1. Avoiding Cam-Out

We mentioned that quite a few screws are designed to prevent cam outs, while the makers of the slotted screw specifically designed it to cam out to terminate the screw from overtightening.

Cam out is something you don't desire to happen to you during your project.

When a screw cams out, your screwdriver or scrap slips out of the screw caput. When this happens, it tin can:

Strip a screw head, rendering the screw useless
Crusade the wood you're drilling into to split
Cause harm to other fabric with nicks, cracks, and more
Cause injury to the user

Screws that tin handle more torque, or force, will typically exist less probable to cam out. Screwheads with several grooves, such as the TORX and other star-shaped heads, give your tools more points and grooves to hold onto, lowering the risk of a cam out.

Selecting the right flake for your spiral is essential to avoiding cam out. This helpful video tin can show you how to choose the right bit for your spiral head:

2. Preventing Stripped Screws

The most of import thing you can exercise to avoid your screws from stripping is to use the right drill bit and make sure it's a skilful one.

A cheap drill flake may save you lot a few dollars, just if it'due south wasting all of your screws, information technology's not doing y'all much proficient in the long run.

However, the incorrect size flake can also be to blame. A bit that's slightly too small or large can both accept the same effect on your screws: a stripped head.

It'south also crucial that you don't bending your bit in a way that makes the bit plow incorrectly. It'southward like shooting fish in a barrel to prevent this with certain screw heads, like TORX, but information technology's not so easy for more simplified heads, like Phillips and slotted.

three. Removing Stripped Screws

If your spiral heads do strip out, they'll become damaged to the point that your regular tools won't be able to install them farther or remove them.

If you lot're trying to install a screw with a stripped caput, don't. Remove the screw and start with a new one.

Removing the spiral can be tricky if it's entirely installed, though, unless you have a special tool known equally a stripped screw extractor.

Sometimes, this special fleck comes in a kit with other tools, all of which work together to take hold of and pull out the stripped spiral.

This video demonstrates how to use an extractor to remove a stripped screw, as well as a couple of other handy methods to tuck in your back pocket:

4. Matching Screwheads to Materials and Projects

There's no signal spending more than money on a spiral and matching scrap that you don't need for your project.

Small woodworking projects that don't require extra force from a drill are ones that you can usually complete with a Phillips, slotted, or other simplified spiral caput.

A proficient rule of thumb is to go for a more than simplified pattern with any project that needs only a light force from a drill or manual employ of a screwdriver.

For more complicated projects with heavy-duty materials, just as installing sheetrock or assembling car parts, you'll desire a screw head with a blueprint that has several points and grooves, such as a TORX or Twi-Wing screw.

5. Screw Head Textile

The screw head cloth volition almost always lucifer the material of the threaded function of a screw.

But, different materials can make a big difference in your project, depending on the materials you're working with.

Near screws consist of steel but may also come in variations that are more weather-resistant than regular steel, similar stainless steel or titanium. These are good options for putting together outdoor furniture or anything that volition be exposed to weather condition or damp conditions.

Y'all might also find aluminum screws, which can be a good pick for projects that won't be exposed to weather weather. Aluminum can corrode quickly and is less durable than steel and other heavy-duty materials.

If you're going to apply a drill with your screws, you might also want to opt for a more durable material, since aluminum tin strip more easily with college force from a drill.

6. Price Differences

Most mutual screws are relatively low in price. It's when yous demand to wait for screws in odd sizes that y'all might commencement seeing a large fasten in their cost. Too, specialty screws, like drywall screws, volition typically toll more than screws meant for generic purposes.

The screw head does brand a divergence, too, in most cases. More common heads, similar slotted and Phillips are by and large at the depression end of the budget, whereas star-shaped, TORX and other loftier-performing screws may cost more.

However, they'll also save yous some hassle when assembling your project, since you'll have less worry over cam out and stripping with high-performing screws.

G. Where to Buy Screws Online

Now you lot're aware of the many types of screwheads and how they tin assist you with your projection. If you're considering ownership screws online, we recommend the following retailers, which offering a broad selection of screws and heads to come across your needs:

Amazon.com
Lowe'southward
Domicile Depot