Key Features

Fast Starts, Less Fight The SawTooth point and T40 6-lobe drive help the screw start quickly and drive with less effort. That means less time leaning on the drill and fewer situations where predrilling is needed in typical wood-to-wood work. Built to Hold A bold thread design and large washer head give this timber screw strong pull-down and bearing performance in structural wood connections. If you need a solid connection without stepping up to traditional lag screws, this is the kind of fastener you look at first. Exterior-Ready Coating The double-barrier coating is designed for exterior and certain preservative-treated wood applications. That matters when the job is outside and the fastener needs corrosion resistance that fits the application.

Overview

The Simpson Strong-Tie SDWS22600DB Strong-Drive SDWS Timber Screw (Exterior Grade) is a 6 inch structural wood screw for wood-to-wood fastening. This is a timber screw designed for structural wood-to-wood fastening. Model Number: SDWS22600DB. It is built for contractors, framers, deck builders, and serious DIY users who want a high-strength alternative to through-bolting and traditional lag screws when working with exterior lumber and heavy wood members.

What makes this screw different from a typical construction screw is the combination of shank size, head design, and thread geometry. The 0.220 inch shank gives it the body needed for heavier structural work, while the bold thread design is there to improve holding power in wood. On the job, that means stronger pull-together performance in ledger work, timber connections, and other structural fastening tasks where a basic wood screw is not enough.

The driving side matters too. Simpson uses a T40 6-lobe drive to give the bit better engagement in the recess, which helps the screw drive more cleanly with less cam-out than lower-engagement drive styles. If you are sinking long fasteners into dense framing lumber or treated stock, that positive engagement makes a real difference in control and bit life.

The SawTooth point is there for one reason: get the screw moving into the wood quickly and with less installation effort. Simpson states it helps ensure fast starts, reduces installation torque, and eliminates the need for predrilling in most applications. For anyone doing repetitive wood fastening, that translates into less setup time and faster production, especially when you are driving a lot of screws in sequence.

At the head, this SDWS timber screw uses a washer head with a 0.760 inch diameter. That larger bearing surface helps spread the load over the face of the wood instead of concentrating it in a smaller area. In practical terms, that is useful when clamping thicker members together or when you want a strong seated connection without switching over to a separate washer and bolt assembly.

Simpson also adds underhead nibs so the head can seat flush with reduced splintering. That is a small detail, but it matters when you want a clean finish on visible lumber or when raised fibers around the head would get in the way of the next layer of material. The screw head is also marked for size identification, which helps when you have mixed fasteners in a pouch or bin on site.

For exterior work, the double-barrier coating is one of the main reasons to choose this exact version. Simpson specifies corrosion resistance equivalent to hot-dip galvanization and states it is suitable for certain exterior and preservative-treated wood applications as described in the evaluation report. If your project lives outdoors, that coating is not a throwaway spec. It is what helps the fastener match the environment it is being installed into.

The Simpson Strong-Tie SDWS22600DB Strong-Drive SDWS Timber Screw (Exterior Grade) is a strong fit for deck ledgers, fence rails, pergolas, planter boxes, general structural wood connections, and mass timber connection work noted by the manufacturer. This specific SKU is the tan 6 inch version in a 500-count package, so it makes the most sense for pros, crews, and anyone buying for volume rather than for a one-off repair.

Drive Structural Wood Fast Without Predrilling in Most Cases

This screw is built for the kind of wood-to-wood fastening where speed matters but the connection still needs to be structural. The point starts fast, the drive recess stays engaged, and the screw is sized for serious framing and timber work.

• 6 inch overall length for thicker wood members and structural assemblies
• SawTooth point helps reduce installation torque and cuts down on predrilling in most applications

Get More Bearing Surface at the Head

The washer head is one of the main reasons to step up to this fastener. It gives you a larger bearing area than a standard bugle or flat head screw, which helps clamp wood members together without needing separate hardware.

• 0.760 inch head diameter provides a broad seating surface
• Underhead nibs help the head drive flush with reduced splintering

Made for Exterior Timber and Outdoor Builds

Outdoor structures put fasteners in a tougher environment, so the coating matters. This exterior-grade SDWS version uses Simpson’s double-barrier coating for corrosion resistance in the kinds of wood applications where an exterior structural screw belongs.

• Double-barrier coating for certain exterior and preservative-treated wood applications
• Designed as a high-strength alternative to through-bolting and traditional lag screws

Key Specifications

Compatibility

Driver Interface Uses a T40 6-lobe drive. Replacement Bit Replacement driver bit: BIT40T-134-R2. Material Pairing Designed for wood-to-wood fastening, including structural wood and engineered wood applications identified by Simpson Strong-Tie.

Built For

Deck Ledgers Pergolas Fencing Planter Boxes Mass Timber Connections Construction General Contracting DIY / Hobbyist

Pro Tip

When you are running a lot of these into exterior lumber, use a true T40 bit in good shape and keep steady pressure on the driver. That 6-lobe recess grabs well, but a worn bit is the quickest way to chew up the drive and slow yourself down.

Tool Nut’s Take

Tool Nut’s Take

Simpson Strong-Tie SDWS22600DB Strong-Drive SDWS Timber Screw Gets Real Work Done

If you need a long exterior structural screw that drives easier than a lag and still gives you serious holding power, this is the one a lot of builders reach for.

• Who it’s for: Deck builders, framers, fence builders, outdoor carpenters, and anyone doing repeated wood-to-wood structural fastening in volume.
• Why it stands out: The SawTooth point, T40 6-lobe drive, bold thread, and washer head all work together so the screw starts fast, pulls hard, and seats clean.
• Worth knowing: This specific SKU is the tan 6 inch version in a 500-pack, so it makes a lot more sense for stock-up buying than for a small repair job.

Common Questions

• What is the Simpson Strong-Tie SDWS22600DB Strong-Drive SDWS Timber Screw (Exterior Grade) used for? It is used for structural wood-to-wood fastening, including ledger and other heavy wood connection applications identified by Simpson Strong-Tie.
• What driver size does it use? This screw uses a T40 6-lobe drive.
• Is this version intended for exterior use? Yes. This is the exterior-grade SDWS timber screw with double-barrier coating for certain exterior and preservative-treated wood applications.
• How many screws come in this SKU? The SDWS22600DB package quantity is 500 screws.