Wood Screws

[Ed in Tampa]

I asked this question in another thread and probably am guilty of highjacking that thread. Sorry!

I'm finding more and more people are using dry wall screws as their wood screws and most don't predrill. Most big boxes don't even stock any other wood screws than Dry Wall screws. I know in rough construction (house framing if screws are used they are probably dry wall. I have seen more than one cabinet installation which in my opinion was wrecked because the installer used dry wall screws instead of cabinet wood screws.

Dry wall screws do an acceptable job in most cases but they are brittle and will snap and most have what is called a trumpet head which can cause splitting. Also most are phillips and I don't know about you all but me and phillip head leave a lot to be desired. I usually get the screw in but the head is messed up.

I would like feedback on what wood screws do you commonly use?
Where do you get them?
And do you always predrill?
If so what bit do you use?
Which head do you like best? Slotted, phillips, square, torx, something else.

[calver]

Ed,


I use square drive screws from McFeelys for most of my needs. For outdoor work when I was putting in a fence I used a star head pattern from Screw products Inc.

I haven't had the stripped head problem since.

Also McFeely's catalogue has some good info and if you call them they can give you good advice for applications.

Dave C.

[tdubnik]

I also use square drive screws for most of my projects. I was buying from McFeeleys but have been recently buying mine from either Woodcraft or Rockler. The quality at all of these places seems equal to me and I haven't noticed problems with any of them.

I switched away from McFeeleys because I don't like that they seem to charge more for the same items than Rockler or Woodcraft. This applies not only to screws but to other normal items such as the Kreg pocket hole systems and most everything else I have checked.

[reible]

Look for the brand SPAX (German co.) they might well be the premium supply right now. Our local Menard's stores have a small collection in stock other wise it is online time. Ed

[8iowa]

I've used wood screws on a lot of projects thru the years. The #8 x 1 1/2" phillips head wood screw has proven so useful that I usually buy them by the box of 100 at Ace Hardware, and always keep an ample supply on hand. I like to countersink with a tapered drill that comes in a set made by Fuller. I usually scrape the threads on a cake of soap and then screw them in tight with a cordless drill or a Stanley screwdriver. If I don't want the screw head to show, I countersink a little deeper and glue a plug over the head. Plug cutters come with the Fuller set.

[calver]

I agree the Spax screws are very good for MDF and also offer combo slots for both square drive and phillips.

Dave C.

[Gene Howe]

Nearly every attachment I make is glued. For these, I use DW screws. For pocket screws, I use the Kreg screw. In both cases, the use of the screw is not structural and only serves as a holder/clamp until the glue sets. Knock on wood, I've never had a joint fail.

Now, hanging cabinets is another matter. I use 3" square drive screws with a smooth shank about 1/2" +or- below the head. They are specifically sold as cabinet hanging screws. Get 'em at Lowes.

[easterngray]

I agree with everything 8iowa said. No. 8 wood screws - except I switch to #8 self-tapping for plywood. Alec