Flathead vs Finishing screws????

[Maria CS20 104]

???  Anther stupid question, what is the difference between flathead and finishing screws are they listed differently by suppliers?  Boy, What I do not know about this stuff could fill a library.  Built a lot of furniture and never had to know this cause I always hid the joints and fasteners.  Feel Dumb and Dumber

Jim A

[PeterP]

The finishing screws have much smaller heads. PeterP

[PAR]

If a screw is exposed and you want it to look good, use what they call a pan head. It looks like a flat head, but the top is slightly crowned. If you want to pretty them up even more, use a finish washer under them. These look like a puckered up, stamped sheet metal kind of thing that takes a counter sunk fastener (flat and pan heads are counter sunk). Finishing screws are like a finish nail except with threads. They're used with trim, but not often seen on boats.

[Hirilonde]

Because of the small head a finishing screw has far less holding strength than almost any other type.  As PAR says, they are for trim, where strength isn't really an issue. 

There are ways to achieve strength and look good.  If you are going to countersink the head (hide it inside the wood) and bung over it, a flat head works best.  There are special drill bits that drill the countersink and clearance holes at the same time made especially for this purpose.  Fuller Countersinks are the ones I use.

[PAR]

Your are correct Ray, I miss-spoke, I meant to say oval and typed pan. This getting old crap sucks.

Countersunk fasteners have the highest in fastener head holding pressure, then any other of the common fastener head types.