When building or fixing, a screw of the wrong size can spell disaster. A screw that’s too long can go right through the material and damage things like wiring or pipework in walls or floors, while a screw that’s too short may not be strong enough to hold materials together. Choosing the right screw for the job is essential, but knowing how to measure a screw is also important to ensure that you get the most accurate results possible.
Screw sizes are often listed in either metric or imperial units. The metric system measures the major diameter of the thread and the pitch, or distance between each thread. For example, a screw that’s marked “5 x 70mm” means that it has a thread diameter of 5 mm and a length of 70 mm.
On the other hand, the imperial system uses a gauge number to indicate the screw’s size. A screw that’s labeled as “0” has a diameter of 0.06 inches, while a screw that’s labelled as #16 has a diameter of 0.220 inches. To find out the gauge number of a screw, you can use a screw gauge guide or a simple calculator.
In addition to screw head type, drive type and size, there are many other factors to consider when choosing a screw for a specific job, including the materials you’re working with and the amount of force required to screw in or out. Regardless of the type or size of screw you need, Construction Fasteners and Tools has it in stock. 3/8 lag bolt pilot hole