Screws are always measured for length from the point to the top of the head. The sizes in which screws can be obtained are given in [Table IV]. The diameter of screws is always measured directly under the head, and is always given in numbers of the screw makers’ gauge. The numbers vary from 0 to 30, going consecutively without skip from 0 to 18 and from then on using only the even numbers. In [Table IV] are also given the numbers of the screw makers’ gauge and their equivalents in decimals of an inch.

TABLE IV

SIZE OF WOOD SCREWS

Length
Inches
Diameter in
Screw Makers’ Gauge
¼From0 to 4 inclusive
From0 to 9 inclusive
½From1 to 12 inclusive
From1 to 14 inclusive
¾From2 to 16 inclusive
From2 to 16 inclusive
1  From3 to 20 inclusive
From3 to 24 inclusive
From3 to 24 inclusive
From5 to 24 inclusive
2  From5 to 24 inclusive
From5 to 24 inclusive
From5 to 24 inclusive
From6 to 24 inclusive
3  From6 to 26 inclusive
From8 to 26 inclusive
4  From8 to 30 inclusive
From12 to 30 inclusive
5  From12 to 30 inclusive
6  From12 to 30 inclusive

Screw Makers’ Gauge

Number
of Screw
Gauge
Equivalent
in Decimals
of an Inch
 0.05784
 1.07100
 2.08416
 3.09732
 4.11048
 5.12364
 6.13680
 7.14996
 8.16312
 9.17628
10.18944
11.20260
12.21576
13.22892
14.24208
15.25524
16.26840
17.28156
18.29472
20.32104
22.34736
24.37368
26.40000
28.42632
30.45264

9. Drive Screws.—A screw known as the drive screw is used mostly in the manufacture of various articles where cost is the controlling factor. These screws, shown in [Fig. 6], are made somewhat on the order of the wood screw, but without the deep-cut thread and gimlet point. Screws of this type are driven into the wood with a hammer and have slotted heads so that they may be withdrawn by means of a screwdriver. The thread is so constructed that the wood may be penetrated without breaking down its fiber when the screws are driven, and is shaped so as to engage with the wood while resisting a pulling stress. These screws are made with flat, round, or oval heads, as illustrated respectively at (a), (b), and (c), and may be had in sizes from ½ inch to 4 inches in length.

Fig. 6

10. Expansion Bolts.—The expansion bolt is a device that has proved extremely valuable in the building trades, as it provides a means of bolting to stone, brick, concrete, slate, or other materials of this nature. Expansion bolts are used principally in places where it is not desirable or practicable to drill through the material to which the fastenings are to be made. This type of bolt has also a great advantage over other fastenings in that it can be removed with as much ease and facility as it is applied, and also without injury either to the article fastened or the material to which it is fixed, the bolt likewise sustaining no injury.