Thread: Woodworking Screws

My short answer is that zinc plated countersunk screws are a great all-rounder.

If I'm not doing solid timber joinery, I use:
* Square drive (Robertson) zinc plated countersunk - 8G fits nicely inside the hole for a 3/8 plug, and 6G fits nicely in a 5/16 plug.
* Pocket hole screws (Kreg etc) are great for particular applications if you don't want to do joinery, but you need buy a jig (or make one!).
* A cheap and cheerful option is the zinc plated 8G Phillips head from Bunnings.

What I end up using depends on a number of things, like the material itself, design and permanency of the object, and where the item is going to be used.

I have a bunch of Zn plated stuff but I avoid using them in some circumstances eg for things that end up outside or in wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms I quite like using countersunk stainless steel Phillips.
For general cabinet work I usually use square drive, gold passivated.
If I'm quickly throwing an MDF jig together where head recess is not an issue I often use gold passivated self tappers, those with the wide Phillips head - I still drill a hole though.
And I'll still use slotted heads on restoration pieces.

After a while you build up a bit of a collection.
While this might look like a lot about 1/3rd of these are metric machine screws and bolts, and there's half a drawer underneath this one of imperials.
IMG_Metrics.jpg

If I may, avoid Zenith brand from Bunnings. Utter crap. Their Tradex brand on the other hand isn’t too bad. Square drive is better than Phillips. Torx is better again.

Since I am beyond the age to suffer the frustration of sh*t fasteners gladly I have settled on Spax brand screws. They are expensive monetarily, but cheap in the angst department.

I'll +1 on the Spax screws - particularly as you can usually find a supplier near you. Würth make really good screws too with their propriety ASSY4 drive, but they're an online or phone order, so you need to be a bit more organised. Pricey too.

Every wood shop and cabinet shop in the western world uses a zink plated 8g screw with self tapping counter sunk head.

What type of driver you'll need depends on the region of the world you're in. Robertson heads aren't easy to find here but are far better than the Phillips head screws that are common.
But if youre only a hobbiest then the Phillips heads are fine. Just don't cheap out and try to use a worn out driver bit. If you spend you days driving screws, I'd highly recommend Robertson heads as the tennis elbow that comes from gripping a drill hard while using crap screws can be quite debilitating.

YMMV

+1 for avoiding bunnings zenith brand if possible.

I ended up just going to an online place like scrooz and getting about 6 or 7 lengths of
6g
8g
10g

so lengths of 16mm, 20mm, 25mm, 30mm, 38mm and 50mm

I figured if I have all of them on hand i shouldnt need to go out and slowly build up a collection, it would also probably highlight if i'm using some screws more then others. going into hardwood timber bearers during a reno the zeniths snapped alot of the time, the scrooz ones just glided straight in.

get a box of chipboard screws as well for the inevitable chipboard box project you'll end up building.

Originally Posted by Greg Q

If I may, avoid Zenith brand from Bunnings. Utter crap. ....

What; you do not like screws with detachable heads?

You could also look at two of our sponsors websites. I've bought from both sites and been happy with their products.

Scrooz
Screw it Screws

Originally Posted by GraemeCook

What; you do not like screws with detachable heads?

It's not a bug, it's a feature. You don't have to countersink or plug the screw hole!

All the screws I use are Phillips head, self-tapping stainless steel in various gauges & lengths that I purchase from our local fasteners shop. Pricewise, a box of 100 screws often ends up cheaper than buying 2 or 3 small packets of a dozen or so of the same zinc-plated screws from Bunnings.

One thing I did notice is that the bit(s) I use to drive the screws in don't seem to fit very snuggly into the head of the screw.

Is there a good quality brand of bits which can be recommended for the job?

Cheers
Yvan

When I used to live in Canada I applied for a US green card. Eventually I abandoned my application. Know why? No square drive screws.

Originally Posted by yvan

One thing I did notice is that the bit(s) I use to drive the screws in don't seem to fit very snuggly into the head of the screw.

Is there a good quality brand of bits which can be recommended for the job?

Cheers
Yvan

Just my humble opinion here, and I'd be happy to be corrected. First up is to look at the drive type for the screw - from crappiest to best IMO it's Phillips, Pozidrive and Robertson/Torx (though good luck finding chipboard screws, in Torx!).

I find most bits have a life-span, and I've tried Irwin, X-Torque (Sydney Tools) and Milwaukee. I'd probably rate them in about that order (best being Milwaukee), but I will also say that there isn't a whole lot of difference between them. I have yet to try others, so am also keen on hearing input from others on this choice!

I also use a lot of SS screws and the main problem is they are very soft and when the bit cams out it does a lot of damage to the screw head and I have thrown out hundreds when I have installed thousands in mostly decks and fences. Wera do a bit that is diamond coated but they are expensive with a capital E, $45 in oz Wera 851/4 Diamond Coated Impaktor Screwdriver Bits for PH 2 Phillips Screws, Pack of 5 : Amazon.com.au: Home Improvement and about $30 from the US including delivery Wera 851/4 Diamond Coated Impaktor Screwdriver Bits for PH 2 Phillips Screws, Pack of 5: Screwdriver Socket Bits: Amazon.com: Tools & Home Improvement they do work well in SS but I would not use them day to day. Their other offerings are pretty good but most probably none are much better than others.

Someone has already done the work for you

I had to fasten approx 2.5 km of weatherboard to my house so purchased 6500 SS decking screws from Profast
(Unique construction required screws)

I have reported previously that I don’t think I had 5 dud screws in that lot. I was using black Alpha brand Robertson bits and they lasted approx 500 screws each using an impact gun.

Of course that brand of screw is no longer available. And I try not to use an impact gun on screws anymore.