Types of Adhesives, Nails and Screws for DIY Home Projects

A fastener can be defined as any object or substance which joins two pieces of material together. It can be a nail, screw or glue, and if you know which form of fastener to use, any job will be much easier.

Joints

A joint is the point of connection of any two pieces. It also may refer to the method of fastening used. The most simple of joints are those between like materials. For example, two pieces of wood can be joined with nails, screws, or glue. Joining dissimilar materials like metal to wood, concrete to wood or wood to glass, are the more difficult.

Nails

Nails come in all shapes and sizes ranging from 1/2 inch to 12 inches long. The size of a nail is designated in inches and denoted by the letter "d." A nail bin in the local hardware store or home center may be labeled, "2-1/2 common" or "8d common." "8d" is also spoken as "eight penny," a term originally connected to the price per 100 nails.

Nails are made of various metals for different applications. Some are coated with zinc and are referred to as "galvanized", for outdoor use. Cement-coated nails have a substance over them that melts from the friction of being driven into wood and then helps to create a very tight bond. Aluminum nails are used underground in wooden foundations and also as siding nails. Case-hardened nails are made of steel and have a hardened outer surface for use with concrete.

Screws

There are basically two types of screws used in most home projects: those which are driven into wood and those which are driven into or through metal. The difference is in the thread design. A wood screw has larger threads that taper at the tip of the screw. A metal screw or bolt has very regular threads and a blunt tip designed to accept a nut. There are many types of metal screws including several varieties of lock washers designed to keep the nut from loosening from vibration.

Glues

There are basically two types of glues: those that need clamping and those that don't. Glues which require no clamping have good gap-filling capabilities. Epoxy glues are good for broken glass and other non-porous surfaces. Other glues like white and yellow glues require clamping in order to form a secure bond. Most of these glues are used in the making and repair of furniture. Clamping can be done in many creative ways when necessary, from using rubber bands, wire and tape to a metal "C" clamp, among others.

Whatever you do, always work safely.