Drywall Anchors

Choose drywall screws rather than nails—nails are far more likely to work loose and cause ugly craters or “pops.” The screw length depends on the drywall thickness: 1-5/8-in. screws are for 5/8-in. drywall; 1-1/4-in. screws are for anything thinner. Coarse threads are for wood studs; fine threads for steel studs.

You’ll find drywall screws with thin (No. 6) and thick (No. 8) shanks. Choose thin ones. Thick-shank screws are harder to drive, break out drywall near edges and leave shredded paper around the screw head.