Is it possible to hammer a screw? (Master Answers)
Content
What to do if there is no screwdriver at hand? Or what if the head of a screw is too worn out for a screwdriver?
The best solution is to use the tools you already have. As a handyman, I have already found alternative ways to drive screws many times, and here I will teach you what I learned myself.
In general, yes, it is possible to drive a screw with some reservations, this is usually done when stripping the screw, and you need to be careful, as you can damage the screw or, if done incorrectly, create an unstable one to hold more weight.
I'll go into more detail below.
When should a screw be hammered?
There are situations when it is necessary to hammer the screw.
The first situation is when the screw is broken.
A stripped screw is a screw in which the slots on the head are worn out. This makes it difficult for the screwdriver to grab the screw and turn it effectively. This can happen for reasons such as:
- Using the wrong type of screwdriver
- Old screws that have been screwed in and out repeatedly
The second situation is piercing the material with a drive screw.
The drive screw is known for its flat screw tip. This makes it difficult to pierce materials such as wood. Plugging the drive screw allows it to successfully penetrate most materials.
Tools needed to drive a screw
Driving a screw requires three basic things.
- Hammer
- Screw
- Nail (the size should be smaller than the screw)
You may already have the materials mentioned. If not, they can be easily purchased at any local hardware store.
Getting Started - Learn How to Drive a Screw
Driving a screw is a simple process requiring only three steps.
It may be tempting to drive the screw directly, but there is a better way. This method ensures that the screw will be firmly fixed in the material for a long time.
Let's start learning how to hammer a screw.
Step 1 Create a hole in the material with a nail.
The main use of a nail is to create a hole in the material for a screw.
Take a nail and lightly drive it into the material. Do not fully insert the full length of the nail. It should sink about 1/4 the length of the screw being used.
This step is done to create a hole for the screw. Screws are usually wider than traditional nails due to the threads around them. These threads can make the hole larger than necessary and cause the screw to pop back out. A smaller nail to create a hole gives enough space for the screw.
Remove the nail once it has made a deep enough hole.
Remember to pull up and avoid removing the nail at an angle. This will prevent the hole from expanding.
Step 2 - Place the screw in the hole you created
Take a screw and place it straight into the hole.
Lightly support the screw by holding the middle part of the screw. Don't hold it too tight. Apply sufficient force to the handle to hold the screw in a vertical position.
Step 3 - Gently drive in the screw
Hammering a screw is not the same as hammering a nail.
The screws are brittle in the thread area. They can easily bend or break at the thread location.
The force applied to the hammer depends on the type and length of the screw. Longer screws are more brittle than shorter ones due to the larger thread area. In addition, a drive screw requires more force to screw in than a pointed screw.
Less force is better than too much when driving a screw.
Start by gently tapping the head of the screw with a hammer.
Keep pushing if you feel that the screw is turning in. If not, then slightly increase the force behind the hammer. Take your time with this process, as this will increase the chance of breakage.
Keep the screw fully straight up during the entire hammering process.
Continue hammering just enough to lock the screw in a secure position. There is no need to insert it further than that. You need to make sure that the screw stays in place and that it can be easily removed in the future.
What should I pay attention to when using the hammer head on the screw
There are a few things to keep in mind when driving a screw.
First, avoid creating a large hole.
The screw will not hold or be unstable if driven into a large hole. It's easier to make the hole bigger than it is to make it smaller. Sealing a hole can be tricky as it requires other materials such as putty and paint. Be sure to compare the size of the screw and nail before you begin the task.
Secondly, finding the right hammer force can be tricky.
Applying too much force to the hammer can damage the head of the screw and the material it is being driven into. This is due to the fact that the hardness of the material can be different.
Finally, hitting the screw at an angle can cause it to bend or break. (1)
The screws are prone to snapping into place on the thread. Stop and reposition the screw immediately if it tilts or begins to tilt during driving. It is very important to ensure that the screw remains in a vertical position while driving into the material.
What to Expect When You Drive a Screw
The screws are not designed to be driven in with a hammer.
A screw driven into the material often becomes torn off. This can also lead to further stripping of the screw (assuming the screw has already been damaged before). You can also damage the hole into which the screw is driven.
On the other hand, driving the screw with a hammer gives a stronger holding power. (2)
The threads around the screws allow them to firmly compress the surrounding material. Screws are known to stay in place longer than conventional nails. This allows the screws to effectively hold the materials.
Summing up
There are certain situations where it is better to use a hammer head than a screwdriver, such as when driving an unsheathed screw into a material. You need patience and a steady hand to complete this task effectively.
Take a look at some of our articles below.
- How to Stop Water Hammer in a Sprinkler System
- How to break a lock with a hammer
- What is the size of the drill for 8 metal screws
Recommendations
(1) angle - https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/praxis-math/praxis-math-lessons/gtp-praxis-math-lessons-geometry/a/gtp-praxis-math-article-angles -lesson
(2) advantage of stronger holding force - https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/wellness/why-grip-strength-is-important-even-if-youre-not-a-ninja-warrior/2016/06 /07/f88dc6a8-2737-11e6-b989-4e5479715b54_story.html
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