Thread: Decking - screws or nails? best choice

Originally Posted by Wongo

I will take this comment back.

I belive it is made for the American market. It does not work for the screws we use in Australia. The countersink is too shallow, so it leaves about half a screw head above the surface. Also it does not give a smooth cut.

I wasted $32 for nothing.

not sure what went wrong there but they are designed to be used with any standard countersunk screw of the right size e.g. 8g 10g etc, out of curiosity I'd be interested in some more detail on this

It didn't work for me.

Have a look at this video.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVu-Wa6I5Po&feature=player_embedded"]YouTube- The SMART-BIT/HEADCOTE System for Decks[/ame]


This is the screw in the video


This is the one I bought and the screw head looks a lot bigger. It is 8g and so as the smart bit I bought from the same place.

Don't stress Wongo..there's 40 people viewing the Decking information right now at DECKING - Renovate Forums

Stressed no, annoyed yes. Also, feeling stupid. A 8g smart-bit will not fit a 8g screw. Isn’t that obvious? Why didn't I work that out?

One more thing. The drill bit is 30mm long but the a 8g decking screw is 50mm long. It means the screw has to go 20mm into the wood without a pilot hole. It might be OK for softwood joists but not so for Aussie hardwood. Not for my liking anyway.

Originally Posted by Wongo

This is the one I bought and the screw head looks a lot bigger. It is 8g and so as the smart bit I bought from the same place.

Hi Wongo,

The screws in the video are trim-head screws & are common for decking in North America (also sold as "decking screws" there). The ones you bought are standard head screws & are not designed for the smaller sizes of smartbit.

Smartbit do have tooling for standard head screws in #10#12 & #14

Whoever sold this to you should have advised about compatibility between the screws & the smartbit.

Originally Posted by Wongo

A 8g smart-bit will not fit a 8g screw. Isn’t that obvious? Why didn't I work that out?

One more thing. The drill bit is 30mm long but the a 8g decking screw is 50mm long. It means the screw has to go 20mm into the wood without a pilot hole. It might be OK for softwood joists but not so for Aussie hardwood. Not for my liking anyway.

It will fit & is designed for #8 screws- but as above - you need trim head screws!

The smartbit (at least newer ones) have replaceable capability for the drill bit - so maybe you could fit a longer bit.

Thanks Ross. I think I will give Jimmy a call later.

Yes the new smart does have replaceable capability but the replacement bits have the same length. Other standard dirll bits will not fit either, so I don't think there is a solution for it.

It if it is really that smart and if they want to sell it outside N America, then it should have 1 version for trim head screws and 1 for standard screws. Also, it should fit a standard drill bit and the depth should be adjustable. It is not that hard is it?

Hi Wongo

See the Smartbit page for sizes & compaibility. The #8 takes a 1/8" drill bit (3.2mm, not 3mm), and you can certainly buy extra long 1/8" bits. I would be surprised if a bog standard imperial bit didn't fit.

Originally Posted by RossM

Hi Wongo,

The screws in the video are trim-head screws & are common for decking in North America (also sold as "decking screws" there). The ones you bought are standard head screws & are not designed for the smaller sizes of smartbit.

Smartbit do have tooling for standard head screws in #10#12 & #14

Whoever sold this to you should have advised about compatibility between the screws & the smartbit.

correct , the only 8g smartbit currently stocked by the importer is for a trim head screw which are also very popular over here, we sell loads of them screws - decking screws - Scrooz online fasteners and tools

heres the starborn spec sheet for smart bits showing the csk angles, might help.
Starborn Industries, Inc. | SMART-BIT® | Learn More | Sizes & Compatibility

beat me to it RossM

Having said that, I would not use trim head screws in softwood decking - potential issies with pull-through. Also a lot of trim-head screws I have seen have very fine threads - make sure any you buy have course threads to asssit with hold down.

I still like the hidden fasteners - both for appearance & other benefits. No splinters. Fewer opportunities for water penetration. Better ability to cope with seasonal movement. Automatic board spacing. No fasteners popping above the deck over time.

That looks slightly better. Thanks Ross. It still won't work for me (not that it matters anymore) because they only have #8 Trim. I need #8 flat.

I did try to fit my standard 1/8 bit but it was way too long for it.

Hi everyone
I just pre drilled about a dozen 8g trim head smart bit holes into hardwood and then put a standard 8x50 deck screw into the timber it was old timber and very very hard, To be honest it did take a couple seconds of the clutch ratling to get it in perfectly flush and the job looks great, Your problem Mr wong is not the screws or the smart bit, The problem is that you are using modwood, it is not as easy to fasten as timber, the countersink needs to be more excact in plastic, I did not realize you where using modwood, and I am now very sorry I did not ask, and seeings how I did not ask I will be happy to refund all your money.
The solution is pre drill your holes, tear down to trade tools grab a countersink bit, countersink them the excactly.
What I sold you works well in timber, so sorry for the inconviniance but as I said I didnt know you where using modwood,
with modwood your countersink needs to be perfect or oversize, with timber a smaller countersink can help it pull in nice.
Here is a link to modwood specs on 8x50 screws
http://www.modwood.com.au/uploads/MO...%20JUN10_W.pdf
Cheers Jimmy

Hi Jimmy, how did you find us?

Thanks for the offer mate. It is a kind offer but I don’t think I can take it. It is because I've tried to modify it by cutting back the depth stop cap. I was hoping the taper would go deeper but obviously it didn’t work.


Jimmy you are a genuine bloke to do business with. I am very happy with the screws and they are very affordable. I am doing my SIL’s deck soon so I will be in touch with you again.