Screws or nail?

Question

I'm at the beginning of a mammoth fencing project.... A simple wooden fence using 6'x6" dog ear panels and pressure treated posts and 2x4s. So far I used galvanized joist nails to join the 2x4s to the posts (using fence brackets) but have screwed the dog ear panels to the 2x4s (using triple coated deck screws that were going very cheap at Menards). My question is, are screws as good a solution as nails for the panels? The wood is pretty soft, and the screws do not tighten up too much before they start to turn. That said, they feel pretty solid. But the nails displace a lot more wood going in, and seem to create a tough joint (I had to take a couple out...they were in pretty good).

I guess if nails are best, I will have to spring for a nail gun. Seeing as my materials budget is around $4k I suppose I can justify that if I have to. But only if screws will not be good enough in the long run.

All ideas and advice gratefully received.

Mat

no1herenow · Accepted Answer

Personally, I prefer screws over most nails (annular ring shank aregood, however) better holding power than nails

Edwin Pawlowski · Answer

I'd use square drive stainless steel screws.  You can see them at  or any good hardware supplier.

RicodJour · Answer

Screws hold better. It sounds like you're stripping out the screws by over-torquing them. Are you sure the clutch setting on your driver is correctly set?

For a project that big, you might want to buy an autofeed screwgun. It would save you a sh...errr...lots of time. You can sell it on eBay when you're done and you'll get most of your money back.

R

Phisherman · Answer

I'd prefer screws over nails.  If you want to avoid staining, usestainless steel--expensive but they won't tarnish.

ConcreteFinishing&StuccoGuy · Answer

LOL, the square drive things are known as Robertsons, a canadian invention and head an shoulders above anything the yanks have ever devised in the fastener drive area. Its about time them stubborn, pig heads south of us figured out what we clever canadians have known for 80 years. Near anything to do with electrical in canada is set up with Robertson#2 drives. They make life so simple!!!

-- Troweller^nospam^@canada.com

RicodJour · Answer

on is, are screws as good a solution as nails for the panels?

Anyone else find it interesting that Guy capitalized Robertson and not canadian, canadians, or canada? I fear we're witnessing overcompensation for a chauvinistic inferiority streak. ;)

But you are right - they are known as Robertson screws, they are far superior, and saying Square vs Robertson saves two syllables and lops a third off of the word length. So let's just call them square drive screws and call it even.

R

Gort · Answer

Gotta love Canada.  The hot air emanating from there keeps the Arctic cold from reaching the U.S.  ;-)

Calvin Henry-Cotnam · Answer

Those who use them regularly call them a Robbie. Colours (or "colors", if you prefer) are used to distinguish the sizes:

A "red Robbie" is a #2, or if you go by screw size, a #8. A "green Robbie" is a #1, or if you go by screw size, a #6. A "yellow Robbie" is a #0, or if you go by screw size, a #4. A "black Robbie" is a #3, or if you go by screw size, a #10.

Probably the least common, an "orange Robbie" is a #00, or if you go by screw size, a #2.

Alan · Answer

Square drive and Robertson are not identical.  I find Robertson to besuperior, but have difficulty getting them these days.

Calvin Henry-Cotnam · Answer

This is actually true. For the name "Robertson" to be used, licencing is involved and certain specs must be followed. Cheap screw driver bits with designations like "S-1", are "square" and not real Robbie bits.

Real Robbie bits have a very slight taper to them that really makes a big difference when it comes to driving the screw.

Screws or nail?

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