Annularly threaded nail (pallet)
Also called: annular nail, ring shank nail, ring nail
An annularly threaded nail, or ring shank nail, has a series of rings rolled into its shank that lock into the wood fibers. It is generally recommended for low-density hardwoods and most softwoods.
In depth: Helical vs annular pallet nails: which to specify
An annular nail does not rotate as it goes in. The wood fibers spring back behind each ring, which resists withdrawal. In softer woods this grip is very effective, while in dense hardwoods ring shanks are harder to drive and more likely to bend or split the wood.
Typical uses
| Use | Example (vendor guidance) |
|---|---|
| Softwood stringer pallets | SYP or SPF decks and stringers |
| Block pallets, top deck to block | About 3 in (76 mm) annular nails through the stringerboard |
| Block pallets, bottom deck to block | About 2-1/4 in (57 mm) annular nails |
The withdrawal characteristic
The Uniform Standard (2012) Annex F uses the same form as for helical nails: Cw = 1 + K × (thread diameter − wire diameter) × (H ÷ thread length). For annular nails K = 60 and H is rings per inch divided by 3. The minimum Cw is 1.9 for reusable pallets and 1.5 for single-use.
Why it matters
Choosing the shank for the species matters as much as the nail size. Using annular nails in low-density species and helical nails in dense hardwoods is the common rule of thumb. See helical vs annular nails.
On a spec sheet
Fastener type "Annular", length, wire diameter, thread (crest) diameter, thread length, rings per length, head diameter, MIBANT angle and FWC.
Related
- GlossaryHelically threaded nail (pallet)A helically threaded nail has spiral flutes rolled into its shank so it rotates as it is driven, which locks it into the wood. It is the most common pallet nail, recommended for medium- and high-density hardwoods.
- GlossaryNail (pallet fastener)A nail is the standard fastener for wood pallets, driven through deckboards into stringers or blocks. Pallet nails are specified by shank type (helical, annular or plain), length, wire diameter, head diameter and bending strength.
- GlossarySoftwood (pallet lumber)Softwood is lumber from coniferous trees such as pine, spruce and fir. Softwood pallets are lighter and more uniform than hardwood pallets, and they are the norm in Europe and much of the western and southern US.
- ComparisonsHelical vs annular pallet nails: which to specifyChoose helically threaded (screw shank) nails for medium- and high-density hardwoods and automated nailing; they turn as they drive and resist bending and splitting. Choose annularly threaded (ring shank) nails for low-density hardwoods and most softwoods, where rings grip best.
- GuidesPallet nails and fasteners: types, sizes, MIBANT and nail countsMost wood pallets use threaded nails: helical (screw shank) for dense hardwoods, annular (ring shank) for softwoods. A typical deck nail is 2-1/4 in long with 0.112–0.120 in (11.5–11 gauge) wire. The Uniform Standard requires at least 2 nails per joint on boards up to 5-1/4 in wide and 3 on wider ones.
More in Fasteners
- GlossaryClinched nail (pallet)A clinched nail is driven all the way through the parts it joins and has its protruding tip bent over flat. Block-pallet deck mats (deckboards plus stringerboards) are commonly assembled with clinched nails.
- GlossaryMIBANT (nail bend test)MIBANT (Morgan Impact Bend Angle Nail Tester) is an impact-bend test for nail stiffness, run under ASTM F680. A weight strikes a clamped nail and the resulting bend angle is recorded; a lower angle means a stiffer, better nail.
- GlossaryNail head diameter (pallet nails)Nail head diameter is the width of a nail's head. It sets how well the nail resists pulling through the deckboard; the Uniform Standard requires the head to be at least 2.25 times the wire diameter for reusable pallets.
- GlossaryNailing pattern (pallet)A nailing pattern is the number and position of fasteners at each joint of a pallet. The Uniform Standard sets minimums by deckboard width: 2 fasteners per joint for boards up to 5-1/4 in wide and 3 for 5-1/4 to 7 in.
- GlossaryPlain shank nail (pallet)A plain shank nail has a smooth shank with no threads. It has the lowest withdrawal resistance of pallet nails, so on pallets it is mainly used where it is clinched, such as block-pallet deck mats.
- GlossaryScrew (pallet fastener)A screw is a threaded fastener turned into the wood rather than driven. On pallets, deck screws, lag screws and washer-head self-drilling screws are used for heavy skids, plastic lumber pallets and designs that must be taken apart or repaired.
Last reviewed 2026-09-24. 232 words.