Thread: Wood screw recommendations

I try to do everything indoors and some outdoors with #8 Robertson in various lengths.
#8 x 1.5" come in 1 kg cans, I don't know the count but it's lots until I started working on a long fence.
The bigger #12 and #14 are good fence screws. Philips are too easily damaged to be useful.
I used #6 Robertson a lot but decided that the slightly larger shank diameter for strength would do me no harm, plus the bulk supply.

Here's one for the team: does anyone know of anyone selling 316 stainless wood screws at 6 and 8 gauge, in shorter sizes (eg 1inch plus or minus)? I can find 8G longer 316 out there easily, mostly variants of decking screws, but have a specific (marine) task that needs shorter smaller, 316 csk screws. My internet/google skills are failing me...

Originally Posted by jpdv

Here's one for the team: does anyone know of anyone selling 316 stainless wood screws at 6 and 8 gauge, in shorter sizes (eg 1inch plus or minus)? I can find 8G longer 316 out there easily, mostly variants of decking screws, but have a specific (marine) task that needs shorter smaller, 316 csk screws. My internet/google skills are failing me...

Buy ASSY 4 A2 CS st. steel A2 FT countersunk head RW online

or more variations on the A4/316 theme - Search

I can get you prices if you need them/put you in touch with the rep.

Yup - that's the A2 (=304) grade - no use in chlorine/ full on salt water environments... And checking the site, the only A4/316 options are weird decking screws or heavy duty capping screws - not plain vanilla small wood screws - but thanks for the link.

(I may have to go full old school - silicon bronze boatbuilding screws, but damn they cost....)

Originally Posted by jpdv

Here's one for the team: does anyone know of anyone selling 316 stainless wood screws at 6 and 8 gauge, in shorter sizes (eg 1inch plus or minus)? I can find 8G longer 316 out there easily, mostly variants of decking screws, but have a specific (marine) task that needs shorter smaller, 316 csk screws. My internet/google skills are failing me...

Stainless Steel Supplier in Northern Beaches | 316 Fastening Shop

Sometimes it is simpler to walk into a fastener store and see what they can supply.

Originally Posted by jpdv

Here's one for the team: does anyone know of anyone selling 316 stainless wood screws at 6 and 8 gauge, in shorter sizes (eg 1inch plus or minus)? ...

Our local chndlery has them, but you are in Brisbane.

Suggest that you try any yacht chandlery:

• Ross Muir in Manly,
• Nearest branch of Whitworth Marine,
• Other chandleries.

If they do not have what you want, always ask "where else should I try?" Almost all chandlery staff are active sailors.

Other best source is specialist fastenings shop - Nuts & Bolts in Hobart - should be several similar in Brisbane.

Yacht chandleries tried, all good for 304, not for 316 (and also you pay an instant 25% mark-up for the privilege of walking into/clicking on anywhere with 'yacht' in the title...).

Have also scoured Australia (and indeed, online USA suppliers) for specialist fastener suppliers... No luck. I begin to suspect that 316 may be too soft/brittle/some other issue for small diameter woodscrews, or the market is so rarefied that no one makes them at an economic price.

It's not a showstopper, and I can get the Si Bronze variants, but was just curious if I was missing a cheap source of 316 screws - I now reckon the answer is that I could source them, but probably at the cost of the (much better for my purposes) bronze screws, so its a no brainer - thanks for all the replies!

Just in case anyone else is hunting, finally got closest with 'Scrooz' online:

8g x 25mm RazrTrim Stainless Screws pack 100

Dunno how I missed them initially, but that'll do... Running at about 50% of Si Bronze cost, like for like.