Can I use drywall screws on plywood?

Wood screws are better than drywall screws for woodworking projects. Drywall screws are made of hardened, brittle steel, and the shaft will often snap during installation, especially if they're screwed into hardwoods.

familyhandyman.com - Using Drywall Screws for Woodworking (DIY)

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Using Drywall Screws for Woodworking

Wood screws hold better

Family Handyman Drywall screws have conquered home centers and hardware stores, but the traditional wood screw is still better designed for holding two pieces of wood together. You might also like: TBD

Wood screws vs. drywall screws

Drywall screws Because they’re threaded the full length, drywall screws can actually force two pieces of wood apart slightly. Wood screw Wood screws have a smooth shank that makes it easier to pull two pieces of wood together. Countersink bits Predrill holes for screws with countersink bits to avoid splitting the wood or snapping the screw. Wood screws are better than drywall screws for woodworking projects. Drywall screws are made of hardened, brittle steel, and the shaft will often snap during installation, especially if they’re screwed into hardwoods. That can be a disaster when you’re working with finished material and you want to remove the screw to reposition something—it’s nearly impossible to get the broken-off shank out of the wood without damaging the surface. Drywall screws are hardened so that the Phillips slots won’t strip out under the stress from high-speed screw guns. Wood screws are thicker and made of softer metal, making them more snap-resistant. Different thread patterns make the screws work slightly differently too. Wood screws are smooth rather than threaded just below the screwhead. The smooth section of the shank slides by the top half of the wood so the head of the screw and the threads can more or less clamp both pieces of wood together. Drywall screws are threaded nearly all the way to the head. When you use a drywall screw to fasten two boards, the top threads will anchor in the top board and sometimes actually keep the two boards apart unless the two pieces are tightly clamped to begin with. The bad news is that using wood screws requires a little more prep work. You not only need to drill a pilot hole for the threads but also a wider counterbore hole the length of the unthreaded shaft and then a countersink hole for setting the head. Sound like a lot of work? Just buy a set of three countersinking bits and they’ll handle all three drilling chores at once for most common screw sizes. No more excuses for using the wrong screw.

Required Tools for this drywall screws for woodworking project

Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before you start—you’ll save time and frustration.

Cordless drill

Countersink drill bit

Required Materials for this drywall screws for wood working project

Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Here’s a list.

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Is it OK to store plywood vertically?

Storing Plywood Vertically The easiest way to store plywood is just to lean it against a wall. However, this can lead to the plywood bending or warping, so it's not recommended for long-term storage.

wikihow.com - How to Store Plywood in a Garage: 6 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Amy Bobinger . Amy Bobinger has been a writer and editor at wikiHow since 2017. She especially enjoys writing articles that help people overcome interpersonal hurdles but frequently covers a variety of subjects, including health and wellness, spirituality, gardening, and more. Amy graduated with a B.A. in English Lit from Mississippi College in 2011 and now lives in her hometown with her husband and two young sons. This article has been viewed 51,197 times.

Article Summary

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The best way to store plywood in your garage is to lay it down horizontally. Create a raised platform by laying pieces of lumber about 2 feet apart, then stack the plywood on top of the platform. If you don’t have the floor space to store your plywood laying flat, purchase or build a hanging rack large enough to hold several sheets of plywood. Keep reading to learn how to store plywood vertically!