Lag Screws For Wood – The Difference Between Lag Screws and Wood Screws
Lag screws for wood are a good choice when you need a strong connection that will hold up under high loads. These fasteners are often used in construction, but can also be useful around the house. However, there are different types of screws available for wood, and choosing the right one depends on what you need it for. This article will help you learn the difference between lag screws and wood screws so you can choose the best option for your project.
Unlike other screw varieties, lag screws must be predrilled before use. The threads on a lag screw are coarser and require a hole with a larger diameter than the head. A gimlet point helps the screw bite into the wood and prevents it from pulling out. Lag screws are usually used with a wrench or socket to drive them into place, and they can be driven in until the desired level of tightness is achieved.
To make a lag screw, the ends of steel round bar are heated and upsetted to create the desired shape for the hex head (in hex) or square head (in square headed bolts). After this, they are cut with shears to the correct length. Finally, the hex or square heads are marked for identifying the proper head type.
Although lag screws offer many benefits, there are some drawbacks to their use. According to the National Design Specification for Wood Construction, lag screws greater than 3/8” require a lead hole that is predrilled before loading the screw for withdrawal and lateral force resistance. This adds to the installation time and complexity of a project. lag screws for wood