5.1 The resistance of a species of wood or a wood-based product to withdrawal of nails, staples, or screws is a measure of its ability to hold or be held to an adjoining object by means of such fasteners. Factors that affect this withdrawal resistance include the physical and mechanical properties of the wood; the size, shape, and surface condition of the fasteners; the speed of withdrawal; physical changes to wood or fasteners between time of driving and time of withdrawal; orientation of the fastener relative to the fiber axis; and the occurrence and nature of pre-bored lead holes.

5.2 By using consistent sizes and types of nails, staples, and screws, withdrawal resistance of a wood species or wood product can be determined, and such values for two or more wood species or wood products can be compared. Similarly, comparative performances of different sizes or types of nails, staples, or screws can be determined by using a standard procedure with a particular wood or wood-based product, which eliminates the wood or the wood-based product as a variable. Since differences in test methods can have considerable influence on results, it is important that a standard procedure be specified and adhered to if test values are to be related to other test results.