Screw Size Usage?

[Ron Citerone]

As others have said, there are lots of variables to picking screw size. I mostly build solid wood furniture and #8 is my size for most applications. #6 for attaching plywood backs. #10 for attaching solid tops and assembling multiple part furniture e.g. chest on chest dresser. Can’t back it up with engineering, just what has worked for me.

P.S. I have become more and more particular about counterboring/countersinking/clearance holes/pilot holes. When in doubt I test things out on a scrap piece of the species I am working with.