Wood screw advice needed

[Jim Becker]

I mostly use #8 1 1/4" and 1 1/2" square recess screws from McFeeleys and bulk buy them. I keep smaller quantities of longer fasteners as well as a few smaller ones. (#7 trim head 1" screws, for example, as I like them for certain situations)

Drywall screws "can" be used for woodworking, but they were NOT designed to handle joinery. They are thin, brittle and break easily. I stopped using them years ago when I moved to the screws I use now.

[Bob Johnson2]

Bob,

My understanding is that the only disadvantages to using drywall screws are:

• Appearance
• Low shear load rating: They hold things together, but don't use them in load-bearing applications. They're just designed to hold drywall.

Andy

Add to this that they look cheesy too. I use them on jigs and such which is where most of my screws go. Don't use a whole lot of screws on furniture and such, you know, real projects. Although the Kreg jig I just tried may change that on occasion. I was thinking of trying some of the pocket screws from McFeely that are for both soft and hardwoods.

[Peter Mc Mahon]

Drywall screws are hardened. Basically all other screws are not. Drywall screws I find to be alright in anything softwood including plywood, but in hardwoods and mdf, they will snap off the heads. Peter

[fred woltersdorf]

bob,check out this site.i haven't used them yet,just found them on another forum but they have some interesting starter sets.http://www.screw-products.com/

[Don Dean]

Thanks for the thread Bob. I am just starting out in woodworking and also wondered about screws I should have on hand. As always creekers come through with great and thoughtful responses. On the way is Freely's #8 and #10 combo sets with bins and #6 combo is on back order. I ordered different color bins to keep them in order. Thanks Bob and creekers.

[Andy Hoyt]

As you may know, Bob happens to be just entering his self inflicted mid-life crisis --- he bought a lathe.

And as such, he'll eventually want to use a faceplate. And I'm sure he'll be interested in knowing what screw you guys would recommend for that.

I'm asking for him and myself, because I do know that I've been taking a big chance on this by using drywall screws and have just never gotten around to being smarter about it.

[Bob Noles]

Uh.... Andy, what's a face plate?

I'm still trying to figure out how to plug this rascal in

It has finally arrived

[Bernie Weishapl]

Hey Andy and Bob. I just went to David Mark's site and he recommended using sheet metal screws in a face plate because of the deeper threads. Yea I been reading everything I can get my hands on. I will know tonight if I have fallen of the edge or not Andy. I am still looking down at the black hole.

[scott bonder]

I really like spax.

[Bob Noles]

Hey Andy and Bob. I just went to David Mark's site and he recommended using sheet metal screws in a face plate because of the deeper threads. Yea I been reading everything I can get my hands on. I will know tonight if I have fallen of the edge or not Andy. I am still looking down at the black hole.

Bernie.....

Just close your eyes and jump

[Bernie Weishapl]

Bob I will know tonight if I am getting the Delta and if not will see how you like yours. I will probably order one like yours if I don't get the other.

[Dan Mages]

Thanks for the info on McFeely's now I know what to get for my father as a (gag) gift for Hannukah!

Dan