Screw sizes for making shop jigs

If you figure out how to have the “right” hardware every time, please post a multi step post. I’ll buy till I’m poor, and still have many a time I need to get something else. Thing is there are too many choices, and all of them are right sometime. I’ve found buying as you need, lets you keep a few sheckle’s in your pocket. Requires a bit of planning though.

-- Think safe, be safe

I get a little tired of having to run to the store to buy some screws in a particular size because I don t have exactly what I need on hand.

I know i could go out and buy every size, length, and type of screw, but that s going to get pricey.

For building shop gigs out of plywood, can you recommend a set of six or ten different screw sizes that I should keep on hand to satisfy most of my jig-building needs?

- Brett

Depends on what jigs or fixtures you’re making. More detail is needed to answer your question.

-- Half of what we read or hear about finishing is right. We just don’t know which half! — Bob Flexner

Review the plan, make a shopping list, go shopping, build the jig. At some point you’ll get lucky and not have to go shopping.

Its impossible to plan that well.
Each time you need 6 screws or bolts of a certain size, by a dozen. then you will have enough for the next job.

-- my projects can be seen at www.pbase.com/sunnybob

Its impossible to plan that well.
Each time you need 6 screws or bolts of a certain size, by a dozen. then you will have enough for the next job.

- sunnybob

Or, the job after the next job…

As said, really depends on the job, I like the Platte River self drilling screws and generally keep #8 screws in 100 ct boxes for 5/8”, 1”, 1 1/4”, and 1 1/2”.

For anything much larger I’ve got miscellaneous boxes of 2” to 3” screws plus a big a$$ box of 1 5/8” drywall screws left over from the basement, then of course, there is my obsession to keep BS screws odds and ends in all of those little tray drawers in that damn cabinet on the bench full of miscellaneous $hit I shoulda thrown out when it was first in my hand…. but that’s likely another topic for another thread….

-- I've decided 1 mistake is really 2 opportunities to learn.. learn how to fix it... and learn how to not repeat it

I buy #8 1 1/4” and #8 1 1/2” screws from McFeely's by the thousand. That is what I use most for cabinet construction. For jigs, I don’t know. There are always knobs and hold downs and t track and bolts and wing nuts and what not that are specific to that jig. It is hard to maintain inventory for that.

-- Bondo Gaposis

I’m just a weekend hobby guy, so I try to store the bare minimum.

I’ve found 1/4-20 bolts to be the most often used bolts for jigs and their heads fit nicely in most t track (though I did get some t track from outside the US and the 1/4-20 bolt heads do get caught up in there fairly often). Remember, if you have an angle grinder, you can cut long bolts to whatever length you need.

For screws, I typically work with 3/4” and 1/2” material (plywood, mdf, osb, 1x lumber, etc.). Therefore I typically have on hand a butt load of 3/4” (1/2” to 1/2” joint), 1” (1/2 to 3/4” joint) and 1 1/4” (3/4” to 3/4” joint) fasteners in #6, #8 and #10. Then I typically buy other sizes as needed for each project. Since most home centers no longer sell small screws individually, I usually have to buy more than I need for a single project.

Eventually the collection grows and you find you need to store it all and come up with something like this:

I have them sorted by diameter. Other people prefer to store them differently. But then it becomes easy to see what you’re running low on and pick up some more next time you’re at a store.

-- Tony, SW Chicago Suburbs

Each time you need 6 screws or bolts of a certain size, by a dozen. then you will have enough for the next job.
- sunnybob

I’ve adopted my uncle’s approach. When I need to buy a screw, I buy a box.

-- No trees were harmed while sending this message; however, a rather large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.

When I got started setting up my shop followed what Inside Passage did, purchased all common sizes of the slotted brass screws from Lee Valley from #0 to #4 and of course a set of Gracie drivers for exact fit. Any screw that requires a drill or driver has no place in the shop other than to attach a French Cleat to the wall:)

-- Lifting one end of the plank.

I bought an assortment (the kind that comes with a plastic drawer set). It had #6-#12 screws in a couple of different lengths, both machine and wood. If I ever came close to running out of any size, I bought a box. I must say that I’ve looked for something as good as the assortment I bought (many, many years ago), and haven’t seen one, but I have seen assortments that I thought were good enough to do what I did.

I think most of my jigs are built with #8s, in 3/4, 1, 1 1/4 and 1 1/2, plus some common pocket hole sizes.

Mcfeeleys black up to 1”
Grk r4 1-1/4 and up

The best way is to start off with an assortment, keeping track of which screw is used the most. Then buy that particular size screw in bulk (100) per box. You not only get a better bulk price but have the right size screw when you need them. I started out buying in bulk sizes I think I needed. Today, I have screws that I hardly ever use. I recommend starting out with the assortment.

#8 screws – 1/2”, 5/8”, 3/4”, 1”, 1 1/4”, 1 1/2”, 2”, 2 1/2”

I like the McFeely’s black oxide, square drive—here’s a nice assortment > https://www.mcfeelys.com/8-flat-head-black-square-drive-screw-assortment.html

Tiny, small, medium, large, xlarge, and really long ones. Could not resist. Agree with getting an assortment, keeping up with it and adding as needed.

-- Ron