Type of screws for 2×4 shelves and benches

screwsshelving

I am making some shelves and workshop benches out of 2×4 and OSB, just the standard type you see in a lot of garages/workshops. I want them to be sturdy and support a good amount of weight.

My question is what type of screws should I use, drywall screws, decking screws, or something else; what about torx vs phillips? Would I need to predrill holes (OSB/2x4s), ideally I wouldn't so I could make quick work of the assembly. Also what length is good, some places have screws going through two 2×4, would 3 inch screws protrude the other side in that case?

Best Answer

Do not use drywall screws. They are thin bodied and brittle. They hold because there is virtually no dynamic load and the load is spread over many screws on many studs.

I would favor construction screws, although deck screws would be fine. You can find both types with drill point tips that make predrilling unnecessary except in harder materials (such as hardwood or mdf).

Most carpenters have moved to star (Torx is a brand) over phillips, although some modified phillips (such as Pozidriv or Supadriv) have advocates, but they need special bits and screwdrivers to work at their best.

Length of screws should be determined by the thickness of the wood you are attaching. It is bad form (and dangerous) to leave tips protruding because of overlong screws. If you need to go through one 2x in places and two 2x in others, use different length screws. Usually if there is a pair of studs that are already attached, any OSB panels would likely only need to go through the stud it is facing, not the sister stud. Screws can probably be the thickness of the OSB + 1 to 1 1/4 inches. The screws to sister 2 2x studs should be 2 1/2 inches (2 3/4 would be fine, but an uncommon size)