Lag Screw Information
Lag screws are designed for use in construction. They are built specifically to hold large amounts of weight, and are used primarily in large building projects (such as building a swing and attaching it to an existing structure). Lag screws are also known as lag bolts because of their large size. Lag screws are often used in wood of all kinds. Does this Spark an idea?
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Characteristics
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Since lag screws are created to hold more weight than other types of screws, they are usually thicker than a regular screw, sometimes twice as thick. Their threads, or the grooves cut in the shank of a screw that apply the necessary torque to hold objects, also tend to be more pronounced to give them added force. Many lag screws come in two parts, one with a base that the screw is turned into.
Materials
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Lag screws are made of several types of metal. Zinc plated steel and stainless steel are the most common metals. Because lag screws are often used for building outside objects and are exposed to many types of weather, the metal used to make them is typically corrosion resistant or corrosion proof. Silicon bronze and hot-dipped galvanized steel screws are also used.
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Dimensions
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Lag screws are selected for projects based on size. Both length of the screw and diameter of the shank are important. The longer the screw, the more weight it can hold, and the larger the screw the more pressure it can exert on the wood in which it is drilled. Lengths range from around 1/4 inch (which is rare for typical lag screw uses) to 6 inches. Diameters typically range from 1.5 mm to 4.5 mm.
Installation
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The top of the lag screw that remains outside of the wood is also important. The most common lag screw head is the hexagonal shape. The hexagon head allows workers to screw the screw in quickly and effectively without wasting energy. Most workers use a drill fitted with a hexagonal bit or a hexagonal wrench to screw them in. A washer is used to help hold the screw.
Consideration
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When lag screws are first installed, a hole must be drilled in the wood to make room for them. This hole should always be slightly smaller than the lag screw itself, but create enough room for the screw to be drilled into the hole afterward.
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References
- Photo Credit screw image by martini from Fotolia.com
