FASTENING WOOD TO STEEL: WHAT SHOULD BE THE RIGHT MATERIAL/S TO USE?
Whether you are a professional handyman or a DIY enthusiast, you need to make sure that your toolbox is always filled with the right components for the job before you. There are an infinite amount of variations that could manifest before you in order to complete a job. Today, however, we are going to be focused on one specific niche within the DIY industry:fastening wood to steel. While you’ve likely fastened wood-to-wood and steel-to-steel, you probably aren’t sure how to approach this blend of soft and hard material. In order to help you prepare for your next project, we’ll dig deep into the process.
Finding the Right Fasteners
Alright, so you know that you want to fasten a piece of wood to a larger steel element. No matter what your ultimate project is, the minutiae are still going to be the same. Attaching wood to wood is a simple process; you just need the right fasteners to get the job done. When it comes to metal to metal connections, that process is also simple. However, when you blend varying materials together, such as wood and metal, you need to have special fasteners in order to get the job done. Most likely, you are going to want to have the following screws on hand to help facilitate the entire process.
1) Sheet Metal Screws – You’ll find sheet metal screws to be at the top of your listen when you search for wood-to-metal fastening components. Sheet metal screws allow metal to be fastened onto other mediums, including wood. You’ll want to have a socket hex head screwdriver on hand, otherwise, you’ll need to drill this screw directly into your metal while using a socket bit with your drill.
2) Roundhead Bumper Bolts – These specialty fasteners are made in order to give your wood material additional support when fastening onto metal. Similar to lag screws, which we’ll explore below, these require you to use a washer in order to properly have them installed. You’ll have to drill through both your metal and wood in order to use this type of bolt. You’ll need to also use a preservative on the opening of the hole before installing your washer and bolt.
3) Lag Screws – Finally, lag screws are ideal for fastening metal to wood, as well as wood to wood. You’ll have a pilot hole into your metal and wood before you insert your washer on top of the hole. Once your washer is in place, you can install your lag screw through the washer, wood, and metal. The washer helps to cushion the amount of pressure that you are placing on the wood.
Get in touch
Address:
TCI Fasteners – Topcope
13 Slater Parade, Keilor East VIC 3033 Australia
Telephone: (03) 9336 0155