drywall fine thread screws to install drywall in wood studs instead of metal studs

[yanmars]

I was given 15 pounds of fine thread drywall screws intended for drywall attachment to metal studs. Have drywall I want to attach to wood studs. Will they work for same?

 

[Topzide]

I'd say yes. I was given 50 lbs of stainless 3 1/2" metal drywall stud screw. I used them on my deck boards! Before I used them in that way, I screwed a couple 2 x 4 pieces together. They held tight! Been through 2 seasons now, no issues!

 

[Topzide]

Just don't let them spin once you get proper set.

 

[yanmars]

Good to know. They are 1 5/8 but most of the studs are 2x6 and 2x8 so length is not an issue.

 

[CalG]

You are good to go.

The pros will complain that they take too long to drive. ;-)

 

[not2old]

The local hardware store has them mixed up in the bulk bin so I ended up with both for my project. Couldn't tell the difference using 1/2" drywall on wood studs.

 

[JasperFrank]

I would definitely practice a bit with some scrap drywall and 2 by 4, and get your drill and bit settings all dialed in. As mentioned before, the issue is to avoid a spinner with the finer threading.

 

[chim]

They'd have to be better than the old practice of nailing. Friends had a (nailed) drywall ceiling come down in their kitchen in a circa 1970's house.

 

[yanmars]

Actually we were putting up some drywall for my brother yesterday. On his wood studs we used nails. They were smooth, no ring shank. The box of the ring shank said they could rust. The nails he used had a concave head, so more drywall compound could cover?

 

[chim]

Actually we were putting up some drywall for my brother yesterday. On his wood studs we used nails. They were smooth, no ring shank. The box of the ring shank said they could rust. The nails he used had a concave head, so more drywall compound could cover?

My guess is the concave head was to help prevent tearing the paper.

 

[kennyd]

Don't forget the glue!

 

[kneedeep]

Put glue on studs and use screws to hold rock till glue sets.

 

[yanmars]

I went through a Uni-built home in Vandalia, Ohio and they used a spray foam type sealant also on the studs to glue and seal.

 

[scootr]

Surprised nobody mentioned why threads are different for wood versus metal. Framing lumber is fast growth softwood. Course threads hold better because they get a deeper grip than fine threads in soft material. They may work but that is not what they were designed for and there is good reason to believe that they may not hold as well given the small movements wood framed structures make. It's your house. You only get one chance to assemble it correctly. Free fasteners could be a costly mistake.

 

[CoyPatton]

Will they work, yes. That is not the real question. The real question is will they pull out of the wood when the unavoidable movement starts. Unfortunately the same answer applies, yes.

 

[MT Kioti]

Yes, but if you are concerned due to unusually light studs, use an extra screw per stud (use 6 screws per 4-foot attachment to a stud instead of 5 screws). Additional screws are often used in drywall for applications where the wall is needed for some shear support.

 

[GWagon]

I was given 15 pounds of fine thread drywall screws intended for drywall attachment to metal studs. Have drywall I want to attach to wood studs. Will they work for same?

Absolutely will work until they pop out later. Use the proper screws when installing drywall no matter what screws someone gave you free.

 

[farmboy666]

They will not bite into the wood as good as coarse thread, but you can help yourself by using construction adhesive. Especially on the ceiling.

 

[MAX-24-Dean]

One good ground shaking event may show you why the metal stud screws are not designed to be used with wood studs.
If you live in an earthquake zone an inspector there would write a correction notice if they caught it.

 

[howardjohn]

They will work fine and will be easier to drive in old wood than course thread. I have been dong sheetrock for a long time and all I use is fine thread. Aside from being easier to drive into old wood 1 screw works for both metal and wood