Drywall Screws
Drywall Screws
(OP)
Wood Frame Construction
An idiot contractor on one of my jobs started using 2 1/2" drywall screws instead of real nails for stud to plate connections and other connections. What equivalent penny size can this be? The box is marked "black coarse drywall screws". So not galvanized! Is this contrary to the Intl Building Code? What does coarse mean? Could there also be a different shear stress, pullout strength, etc. between these screws and nails specifically called out by the IBC?
An idiot contractor on one of my jobs started using 2 1/2" drywall screws instead of real nails for stud to plate connections and other connections. What equivalent penny size can this be? The box is marked "black coarse drywall screws". So not galvanized! Is this contrary to the Intl Building Code? What does coarse mean? Could there also be a different shear stress, pullout strength, etc. between these screws and nails specifically called out by the IBC?






RE: Drywall Screws
Typically, wood screws do have HIGHER capacities than nails, but with "drywall" screws I'm not sure.
RE: Drywall Screws
They said the screw is #8, and coarse meaning as in fine or coarse threads.
Diameter of #8 screw is 5/32 inch at shank and 7/64 inch at root , root governs.
7/64 inch = 0.1094 about 12 gauge which is 0.1046 and that puts it at or 6d (11.5 ga).
The length of a 6d is 2 inches
smaller than the 2.5 inches of the screw, so I think that 6d is about the answer.
Any comments
RE: Drywall Screws
The drywall screws are typically hardened steel. They are not appropriate in shear loading. I would consider requiring renailing with correct fasteners.
RE: Drywall Screws
On the steel corrossion, yes I know about that too, Been to Simpson seminar's also.
On the steel hardness factor, OK, the screw is no good for shear and too small.
RE: Drywall Screws
Just curious, when you were talking to the manufacturer, did you happen to ask what the shear and pullout loads where? Surely, they have test reports on their screws.
RE: Drywall Screws
RE: Drywall Screws
And my idiot contractor has a lot of screws to pull out. I think he has few loose screws too.
RE: Drywall Screws
RE: Drywall Screws