How deep into the wood should a screw go? FAQ

Good one. ... I guess that good-rule-of-thumb was just pushed into the table saw blade ! :-) John T.

I never heard of any such rule of thumb. Up to a certain point, I just want my screws short enough that their points don't protrude. If the bottom piece is thick enough, I shoot for a screw that's at least twice as long as the top piece's thickness. So screwing two 1" boards together I'd go for a 1 3/4" screw. Screwing a 1" board to a 2" board, a 2" or 2 1/2" screw. IOW, I just try to apply a little common sense.

How about "just few nails to tack it in place till the glue dries" for the luan.

How about not using luan on a ceiling.

How do you hang sheetrock? 4/6" screws?

Tom Silva suggests...

"e. To determine the appropriate size screw to use for a project, take the thickness of the material being attached and pick a screw that?s roughly 2.5x that."

Till the glue dries

Actually the rule of thumb is close to 2/3's of the thickness of the bottom piece plus the thickness of the top piece.

In normal measurements where the 1x is 3/4" and the 2x is 1.5" use a

So a screw into 3/4" material attached to another 3/4" material should be 1-7/8" long?

LOL

I replied to the first guy, but should have added not longer than 3 times the thickness of the material to be attached.

LOL actually 6/4" screws.

Wow! I don't want to be the next guy remodeling the place. I bet you're going to hang wall paper on it too. ...and use Elmer's?

OK, again assuming the 6" wall and 1/2" sheetrock, you're going to use

For 1/2" sheetrock, 5/4" (1 1/4") is fine.

If the electrician's and plumber's work is impacted by the hanging of drywall, then it's their own fault. They missed a step.

With 4-1/2" screws in a 6" wall there are going to be problems that aren't the plumber's or electrician's fault. The rocker may not be around to blame, though.

Actually, a friend remodeled commercial office spaces, he used liquid nail to attach 5/8" fire rated drywall to the steel wall studs.

As for the till the glue dries comment, you shooting for curmudgeon of the year, or have you forgotten Norm of New Yankees Workshop.

I suppose those who do commercial demo don't have the same problems as residential.

Must I admit that I know anything about Norm?

He would put a few brads in it till the glue dries.

The liquid nails was because of the jets flying into Ohare, the walls would rattle more without it, it was done at the landlords request.

Demo was easy sawzall cuts every 4 foot, sledge at the bottom of the wall, you get 4 x 8 wall section to the dumpster.