Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 5 hours ago
One of the biggest misconceptions about buying screws for woodworking projects…is that they’ve got to be wood screws. In my shop, I never buy wood screws and it all comes down to cost. Black phosphate drywall screws are some of the cheapest fasteners you can buy, and for most shop projects, they work perfectly. Around here, I can buy drywall screws for about a fifth of the price of wood screws.
They grab wood tight, they hold better than nails…and they leave more cash for the lumber. And that’s really the goal in woodworking…save your money for the wood, not the screws.
So why would someone prefer a “wood screw” over a “drywall screw”?
Drywall screws are hardened steel…which makes them strong…but it also makes them a little less forgiving. If you try driving one into hardwood without a pilot hole, the torque can be enough to snap the head right off.
But honestly…who’s taking a chance with cracking their hardwood by not drilling a pilot hole first? Drill a pilot like you should…and the whole issue goes away.
Black phosphate screws also have an ugly factor to them. But in fine woodworking, screws are usually hidden anyway. And if you’re making a jig, shop cabinets, fixtures, or quick builds… it really doesn’t matter what the screw looks like.
My fastener storage works like this. Anything an inch or under, I use sheet metal screws, depending on whether I need a pan head or a flat head.
Anything longer than that, I jump straight to 1 5/8" drywall screws…or longer if I need them.
Check out my other channel! → @makethingswithrob
Become a patron! → patreon.com/makethings ←
Huge thank you to my patrons that keep this thing going!
*MAKER TEAM*
Michelle B
Keith Current
Rich Lightfoot
Tutor the Barbarian
Aubrey G.
Nukebert
Sam W.
Aaron Knows DIY
G. Salazar
David B.
Marc B.
Richard B.
Ben. K
Bill Patterson
D. Lundman
Make Things
#MakeThings #mtbitesize
One of the biggest misconceptions about buying screws for woodworking projects…is that they’ve got to be wood screws. In my shop, I never buy wood screws and it all comes down to cost. Black phosphate drywall screws are some of the cheapest fasteners you can buy, and for most shop projects, they work perfectly. Around here, I can buy drywall screws for about a fifth of the price of wood screws.
They grab wood tight, they hold better than nails…and they leave more cash for the lumber. And that’s really the goal in woodworking…save your money for the wood, not the screws.
So why would someone prefer a “wood screw” over a “drywall screw”?
Drywall screws are hardened steel…which makes them strong…but it also makes them a little less forgiving. If you try driving one into hardwood without a pilot hole, the torque can be enough to snap the head right off.
But honestly…who’s taking a chance with cracking their hardwood by not drilling a pilot hole first? Drill a pilot like you should…and the whole issue goes away.
Black phosphate screws also have an ugly factor to them. But in fine woodworking, screws are usually hidden anyway. And if you’re making a jig, shop cabinets, fixtures, or quick builds… it really doesn’t matter what the screw looks like.
My fastener storage works like this. Anything an inch or under, I use sheet metal screws, depending on whether I need a pan head or a flat head.
Anything longer than that, I jump straight to 1 5/8" drywall screws…or longer if I need them.
Check out my other channel! → @makethingswithrob
Become a patron! → patreon.com/makethings ←
Huge thank you to my patrons that keep this thing going!
*MAKER TEAM*
Michelle B
Keith Current
Rich Lightfoot
Tutor the Barbarian
Aubrey G.
Nukebert
Sam W.
Aaron Knows DIY
G. Salazar
David B.
Marc B.
Richard B.
Ben. K
Bill Patterson
D. Lundman
Make Things
#MakeThings #mtbitesize
