A Preliminary Key to Common Shop Fasteners

1a. Shaft threaded…………………………………………………. Screws and their allies 2

1b. Shaft not threaded……………………………………………… Nails and their allies 9

2a. Head without a slot ………………………………………………………….threaded nail

2b. Head with a slot …………………………………………………….....screws and bolts 3

3a. Shaft cylindrical, not tapered, tip truncate ………………………..….……………bolts 4

3b. Shaft tapered, at least at tip, tip pointed ………………………………..…true screws 5

4a. Head flat ……………………………………………………..……………..flat-head bolt

4b. Head rounded ……………………………………………….………….round-head bolt

5a. Slot "X"-shaped …………………………………………………...Phillips head screws 6

5b. Slot linear, a single straight channel …………………………………standard screws 8

6a. Head flat ……………………………………………………………………………………7

6b. Head rounded…………………………………………………………….machine screw

7a. Shaft black …………………………………………………………….…..drywall screw

7b. Shaft silver ………………………………………………….…common Phillips screw

8a. Head rounded ………………………………………….. round-head standard screw

8b. Head flat……………………………………………………...flat-head standard screw

9a. Head diameter much greater than shaft diameter, H/S ratio = 0.3 - 2.0…….tacks 10

9b. Head diameter not much greater than shaft diameter, ratio <0.2 ……….true nails 11

10a. Shaft angled, with flat surfaces; H/S @ 0.5 ………………………………..carpet tack

10b. Shaft circular in cross section, H/S @ 1.7 ………………………….…….. thumb tack

11a. Head diameter slightly greater than shaft, H/S < 0.1 ……………….finishing nails 12

11b. Head diameter about twice that of shaft, H/S @ 0.1 …………….….common nails 13

12a. Total length 50-60 mm……………………………………………..…6d finishing nail

12b. Total length 35-45 mm…………………………………………….….4d finishing nail

13a. Total length 40-50 mm ………………………………………...…..…4d common nail

13b. Total length 60-70 mm…………………………………………….….8d common nail