I recently built some temporary scaffolding for a couple of days and now I'm wondering: is there any reason I should avoid saving and reusing the screws? I get that screws aren't super expensive, but I'm just curious about any technical or safety concerns. Would the answer change if I was reusing screws from something like a bunk bed my kids have been using for 5 years?
3 Answers
I reuse screws that aren't rusted or bent, but I avoid using them for anything load-bearing. Screws can lose integrity after multiple uses due to heating and stress, so for things like a bunk bed, I wouldn't take the risk. Better safe than sorry!
In general, it's best not to reuse structural screws, especially if they've experienced a lot of stress. For projects that don't put much strain on the screws, like holding jigs together, reusing can be fine as long as they aren't damaged.
Got it, thanks!
It really depends on the condition of the screws and the application. If they've been heavily used and are showing signs of wear, maybe skip reusing them. But for low-stress situations, like repairing a cabinet door, it can be totally fine as long as they grip well.
That's a good point, thanks for clarifying!