Artistic and trendy plywood cabinets are a beautiful addition to any home, garden, or patio.
Bathroom and kitchen cabinets made of plywood are lightweight, durable, sturdier, and hold veneer much better than particle cabinets. Most importantly, the material is weather-resistant, so it can be stored outside or in high humidity areas.
Last year, I decided to make my own plywood cabinet in a storage shed to store my gardening tools and items like hats, gloves, and boots that I use while gardening. And being well-versed with the use of drill screws, the task of building a cabinet didn’t seem much to me.
But the real challenge came up when choosing the best screws for plywood primarily because they bind the parts together. After browsing through several options and consulting with experts, I finally got my hand on some quality units.
Hello! It’s Stacy Smith, and today I will walk you through the five best screws you can consider for plywoods. Let’s dive in!
Top 5 Screws For Plywood
1. DVKNM Tungsten Steel Screws
Made of high-quality black steel, these screws by DVKNM are engineered to withstand harsh weather conditions. And because of their unique design, I can drive them quickly, making them my go-to choice for joining two plywoods.
Product Highlights
Among all options available, DVKNM screws sit atop my list due to their durable and sturdy construction. Made of high-quality black steel, these screws can resist corrosion and rust. They are strong enough to not break or deform under normal use.
Furthermore, the multifunctionality of the screws allows them to be used in various projects. Typical use cases of these screws include installing sheetrock or drywall and repairing cabinets and wood furniture. Besides that, you can use them on several materials and they are ideal for office, home, and shop use.
The screw kit contains 200 screws in various sizes, including 20mm, 30mm, 35mm, 40mm, 50mm, 60mm, and 70mm. And since the screws are non-toxic and mercury-free, you can use them confidently.
What's There To Like About It?
If you’re a DIYer, there will be no trouble using DVKNM screws to join two plywoods, thanks to their aggressive screw twist patterns that allow for faster driving. Using these, I could finish making a plywood cabinet for my storage shed in no time. Although I bought the kit specifically for plywoods, I found that I can use them in several materials like wood, plastic, and others.
Apart from that, these screws come in a durable and handy storage container with separate compartments for different-sized screws, making them easy to organize and transport.
What's There Not To Like About It?
Though versatile and durable, there’s a minor drawback of the screws that you must know. A layer of oil is attached before packaging the screws, which might emit some smell. Although it does not affect its usage and the odor fades after a while, wear a mask when using these for the first time.
Pros and Cons of DVKNM Tungsten Steel Screws
Pros
Cons
- ►【Advanced material】: These screws are made from a high quality black steel.The screws are treated so they resist rust and corrosion.They are high strength and will not deform or break under normal use.The aggressive screw twist pattern allows you to drive them fast and to complete your project efficiently and quickly
- ►【Multifunctional】：with sharp points for self tapping into wood, furniture and mild steel.Typical uses are for installing dry wall /sheetrock, repairing wood furniture and cabinets. These screws can be used on a wide variety of materials and are ideal for home, office, and shop use
- ►【Various Sizes】：We provide you with these 8 common sizes for your use. We list in US sizes and Metric for your convenience. 3/4'' or 20mm 1'' or 25mm 1 1/4" or 30mm 1 3/8'' or 35mm 1 5/8'' or 40mm 2'' or 50mm 2 1/2'' or 60mm 3'' or 70mm These screws are environmentally friendly, mercury free, and non toxic so they can be used with confidence
2. Kreg SML-C1-500 Zinc Pocket Screws
I’ve listed Kreg SML-C1-500 Zinc Pocket screws as one of my top choices for plywood cabinet making, mainly due to their coarse washer head and thread. They are ideal for creating the strongest joint possible between plywoods or any other wood surface.
Product Highlights
To begin, I’d like to mention that Kreg wood screws are reliable, solid, and robust. The washer head and self-tapering mechanism of each screw make up for its swift performance and enhance the workflow of plywood-related projects. And, its coarse thread doesn’t demand much effort when driving the screws through plywoods.
Aside from that, dry-lubricant coating and bronze-color finish add to the excellent resistance to rust and corrosion making them suitable for use in outdoor projects.
Another aspect of these screws that make them stand out is the large diameter steel shank. It makes them incredibly strong and almost impossible to break. Plus, featuring a type-17 auger tip, the screws self-tap their own hole, so you don’t need to pre-drill even on the hardest surfaces.
What's There To Like About It?
The screws in this kit stand out among others because of their self-tapering mechanism that enables one to complete woodworking projects easily, quickly, and efficiently. Rest assured, you can DIY your garden plywood storage cabinet in no time. The one-inch screw worked fine and accurately for my plywood board of ⅝ inches in diameter.
Furthermore, the kit includes 500 screws, which were more than enough for my project. Another thing that I loved about the screws is them having a washer head. So, even if you drill the screw too far into the plywood sheath, it won’t bend or break down.
What's There Not To Like About It?
The only problem I noticed when using the screws is their bronze color and the screws almost got camouflaged with the plywood. If it came in black or golden color, it would have looked much better from the outside, which was the case with DVKNM Tungsten Steel Screws.
Pros and Cons of Kreg SML-C1-500 Zinc Pocket Screws
Pros
Cons
- 500 Count Pack: Includes 500 zinc pocket-hole screws for woodworking, cabinetry, and furniture assembly projects
- Coarse Thread for Soft Materials: Optimized for softwood and plywood to deliver strong holding power and reduced splitting
- Maxi-Loc Flat Bottom Head: Large bearing surface provides solid seating in pocket holes and improved joint strength
3. Power Pro 48594 Wood Screws
The next product on my list is the Power pro 48594 wood screws suitable for any outdoor and decking project. Thanks to their epoxy coating, they stay resistant to corrosion and rust for longer.
Product Highlights
If you’re planning to build a deck, this is the screw kit you need to build it to perfection. You get to choose between a 1lb box, 5lb tub, and 6,000-piece box, depending on your project requirements.
The beautiful bronze coat of each screw works wonders with any plywood cabinet, making the kit ideal for any wood project. Besides, the special shank design of the screws makes bigger holes in the wood without splitting it and offers 20% faster engagement into the wood.
Its pointed end sinks into the wood easily without having to exert any additional effort. Plus, a T20 drive size practically eliminates the screw slip-off when driving it in for your safety.
What’s more, the thread features a bore-fast serrated design, so there’s no pre-drilling required. You’ll also find counter striking blades underside the screw head to discharge the wood particles from inside the drill.
What's There To Like About It?
I loved the product primarily because it’s less likely to split the wood, unlike other screws. Hence, concerning wood safety, this product is definitely worth considering.
Now, I have used these screws when making the plywood equipment rack of my house, which I keep outside. And irrespective of enduring years of rain and storm, they are almost in perfect condition. What’s more is that the screws go well with all kinds of wood, be it redwood, plywood, or any other.
What's There Not To Like About It?
The thing I didn’t like about the product is that the screws don’t go as deep as I expected them to. So, working on thick plywoods with these might not be viable; I’d recommend checking the specifications before purchasing them. This drawback of the product pushed it below Kreg SML-C1-500 Zinc Pocket Screws that can drill deep into plywood.
Pros and Cons of Power Pro 48594 Wood Screws
Pros
Cons
- Superior Outdoor Performance: Our construction screws are engineered for outdoor durability, making them ideal for decking projects; the epoxy coating offers corrosion resistance, ensuring long-lasting use for all wood deck screws applications
- Self-Starting Tip: Offers 20 percent faster engagement into wood; together, coarse screw threads and a self-drilling point design eliminate the need for a pilot hole
- Reduced Splitting: With 75% less wood splitting, our exterior wood screws are perfect for pressure-treated wood; the design of these decking screws ensures the integrity of your woodwork, providing secure and reliable fastening for all exterior deck screws tasks
4. ORGRIMMAR Wood Screw
The following product on my list is the ORGRIMMAR chipboard wood screw that presents a sharp and deep thread to cut through the plywood quickly and cleanly. Its exceptional strength and non-corrosive properties make it a reliable item for any woodworking project.
Product Highlights
Whether talking about their flat Phillips head or fine thread, every aspect qualifies this screw kit into my list of best screws for plywood. It is corrosion and rust-resistant due to the use of countersunk flat heads, carbon steel, and yellow zinc.
Aside from that, the screws are intricately designed for composite timbers like chipboard, hardwood, plastic, MDF, and thin sheet metal. Providing exceptional holding power, they are suitable for joining any two pieces of plywood together. And thanks to the sharp and deep thread, you can use them for any plywood, irrespective of its thickness.
Furthermore, when working with chipboards and other softwoods, no pre-drilling is required, whereas hardwood requires drilling a pilot hole 2mm smaller than the screw size.
What's There To Like About It?
I liked how the kit includes 230 screws in eight different sizes, making it suitable for use in any project. Because of their sharp endpoint and Phillips flat head, I could drive the screw easily and quickly into the plywood and make strong joints.
And thanks to its construction and design, each screw is resistant to corrosion and rust. You can leave the plywood storage out in the open without fear of rust depositing in the screw joints.
What's There Not To Like About It?
The aspect I didn’t like about the product is that it’s primarily designed for chip wood and other softwoods and might not form powerful bonds with hardwood. On the contrary, its preceding product, the Power Pro 48594 Wood Screws is made of solid steel and works on all kinds of woods.
Pros and Cons of ORGRIMMAR Wood Screw
Pros
Cons
- Chipboard screws which have deep and sharp thread for cutting through wood easily and cleanly. The exceptional reliability and strength of the T.K. Excellent enables the user to rely on one product for a variety of applications.
- Ｍade of carbon steel, countersunk flat head, yellow zinc passivated for corrosion resistance.
- Designed for composite timbers such as hardwood, chipboard, MDF, plastic and thin sheet metal, whilst offering exceptional holding power. Full thread be used when fixing metal to wood.
5. Hard-to-Find Fastener Multi-Purpose Wood Screw
Hard-to-find fasteners have a massive following among woodworkers and DIYers worldwide, and its screws are one of the most reliable options on the market. The screw kit made it to the list due to its varied applications and the long-lasting stainless steel screw finish.
Product Highlights
Be it a flat Phillips flat head, fine thread, or sharp end, the Hard-to-Find fastener wood screw is a quality product you can get. The screw kit includes 50 pieces and is ideal for smaller projects.
Now talking about individual screws, their flat head makes drilling into the woodblock simple, and the fine threads account for their tight and secure fit. The fine thread also allowed me to move the screw easily, quickly, and efficiently.
It has a sharp type-17 endpoint, which prevents the splitting of wood, making it suitable for edge work. Moreover, its black phosphate coating makes it look gorgeous with any wood type.
Lastly, these versatile wood screws are suitable for varied applications around the business, home, and automotive. And their zinc plating makes it resistant to rust.
What's There To Like About It?
I used this screw kit to make a small house for my dog using rigid plywood. With the diameter of the blocks being ½ inches, the 1-inch screws worked well for my project. And these being made of stainless steel, I was able to make a rigid structure.
Aside from that, being coated with zinc, these screws are still going strong, and there is no visible rust on the body. So, you can trust the usability of the screws outdoors with closed eyes.
What's There Not To Like About It?
I was disappointed by the fact that these screws bend and even break if they’re walloped. I expected them to be a bit sturdy at such a premium price. Moreover, the quantity of screws in the box is quite low. These factors pushed the product to the bottom of the list, even below the ORGRIMMAR Wood Screw, which is made of solid steel and does not break easily.
Pros and Cons of Hard-to-Find Fastener Multi-Purpose Wood Screw
Pros
Cons
- Diameter: #6
- Length: 1 inch
- Material: Steel
Buyers Guide
The best screws for plywood allows woodworkers or do-it-yourselfers to drive into the plywood with minimal effort.. Again, if you’re a professional, you should get screws that go well for the respective task or application. For that purpose, I’ve provided reviews of the top five screws available on the market.
But if you’re still confused, read out this buyer’s guide to getting informed about the factors to consider when purchasing a wood screw. So let’s get in!
1. Material
Wood screws are made of various materials, viz., brass, bronze, aluminum, and steel. Among them, steel is the most commonly used material due to many reasons. One, it’s more durable than the others, and secondly, it looks nice in all woodworking projects, be it indoors or outdoors. Plus, a steel-made screw is cheaper than others.
I also found bronze screws are worth considering for woodworking projects as they share properties similar to steel screws and are not very expensive.
2. Head
Another critical factor to reckon when purchasing a wood screw is its head, you can make the decision only by looking at its outside. Your chosen screw head can serve either a decorative or functional purpose. So, here are different screw head types for you to choose from.
A. Bugle Head
This head generally has a diameter of ¼ inches and is generally seen on screws used for internal construction and fastening plasterboard. The concave shape underlying the screw head enables powerful yet gentle contact pressure. Also, being a self-drilling head, it drives easily into the wood in no time and is optimal for plywood woodworking projects.
B. Trim Head
Trim heads share properties almost identical to the previous type, so they easily drive into the surface, irrespective of the surrounding. A flat head shape results in a finish that is flush with the surface. Plus, these are ideal for making mountain moldings or door jambs and prevent splitting up of wood when driven in.
C. Truss Head
Screws with truss heads are generally round and wider than other screw head types. They provide a firm contact between the surfaces and are ideal for mounting hardware tasks.
D. Washer Head
These are one of the most commonly used types of screws in woodworking projects because they can distribute weights over large spaces. Additionally, the screws more strongly join two plywoods and offer adjustment spaces.
3. Drive
Another critical factor to look at while selecting wood screws is how it turns while driving. It depends on cavities and protrusions present on the screws. Three of the most common drives in wood screws are Philips drive, Torx drive, and square drive.
A. Phillips Drive
The Phillips flat head drive is the most commonly used for making plywood furniture, which is known for its tight fit. With this type, you don’t need to make unnecessary drills into the wood; they are driven more efficiently.
B. Square Drive
As the name suggests, the screw head is square-shaped and is easiest to drill through wood. One can use only one hand to drill it as it drills smoothly when a hardware tool is inserted. Due to its unique shape, removing it also isn’t much of a task.
C. Torx Drive
The screw heads of the Torx drive are star-shaped and are alternatively referred to as star drives. Similar to square drives, these are easier to drive in, and not much effort is required from a woodworker.
4. Thread
Thread is another crucial factor to consider when choosing a screw because it refers to the spiral circumscribing of a screw when drilling. A coarse thread is a better option when drilling through plywoods due to its stronger hold. Besides, fine threads work well in woodworking projects as these are much easier to drive in.
5. End Point
The endpoint of a wood screw determines how easily it is drilled into plywood. The most common endpoint is Type 17, which is ideal for production, deck jobs, and construction. Also, it performs well on surfaces stronger than plywood.
6. Coating
The final considerable factor in a wood screw is the coating which determines its durability. Better the coating on a wood screw, the more it’s capable of preventing rust. Many screws available on the market come coated with zinc material and are of different colors. The most common coating colors are silver, golden, or black.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sometimes, you do, but you don’t need to do it in others. Some screws are self-drilling and are driven into the wood without splitting it, while others are not. These are clearly mentioned on the cover of the kit.
Self-tapping screws are best for softwood and plywood, as drilling in the stronger screw increases the chances of cracking or splitting. So, it’s better to only go for self-tapping ones.
Screws become difficult to unscrew if they start corroding or rusting. So, it’d be best to purchase ones with zinc coating as they are rust-resistant.
Wood screws are specifically made for wood materials. The screws need to be of different design to avoid splitting of wood. Nevertheless, some wood screws are multifunctional and can be used on other surfaces like plastic and soft iron.
Well, it depends on the type of hole drilled, which further depends on the type of screw used. A pilot hole has a smaller diameter, while a bigger diameter is made for a clearance hole.
My Final Recommendation
That’s all I had to tell you about some of the best screws you can use for DIY projects!
If you’re curating the search based on the abovementioned factors, you cannot go wrong while selecting wood screws for a project. However, it’d be unfair not to mention some of my favorites.
My top recommendation would be the DVKNM Tungsten Steel Screw Kit. Its aggressive screw design enables faster drive-in, and I didn’t have to make extra efforts for it. And its black coating and durable design make it last long without any rust or damage.
If you don’t prefer a black-colored screw for your woodworking project, Kreg SML-C1-500 Zinc Pocket Screws are also a viable choice. These are easy to drill through, durable, and almost get camouflaged with the wood.
Saying that I’d wrap up my guide. Goodbye and take care!