PVC & carriage bolts

[kevin nee]

I am building a fence using PVC planks. I plan to attach them with carriage bolts. Will the carriage bolts suck into the PVC or should I use traditional bolt beads? Has anyone have experience with this?

[Paul F Franklin]

They will suck in just fine. And pull right through if you get heavy handed with the impact wrench. This is assuming you are talking about cellular PVC and not composite decking material.

[Jim Becker]

Yes, you can use them, but Paul's advice to be cautious as you tighten them down is valid. You want them snug for sure, but you don't want them to either pull through or start spinning around by "stripping" out the pilot hole.

[Kent A Bathurst]

1/4" carriage bolts have head diameters around 9/16"
1/4" elevator bolts have head diameters around 1". Triples the surface area if my math is correct.

Just an option. Both Bolt Depot and McM-Carr have them in stainless. I'm sure others do also - those two are where I go rummaging.

[Tom Bender]

Just curious what you are using the fence for. If horses, goats, pigs or cows PVC might not be adequate. For rodents or chickens or even dogs or neighbors it should be perfect.

[Tom M King]

I would worry about getting them back out when the time comes.

[Kent A Bathurst]

I would worry about getting them back out when the time comes.

Yeah - that was my thinking on the elevator bolts. Wide-ish diameter head; back side of head is slightly convex; total head thickness 3/32". Thinking spread the load with convex head might ride the surface better than basic carriage bolt.

[Bill Dufour]

Or use dome head bolts with an Allen drive socket. Not sure of the name of that head shape. Can use a fender washer under the head to spread the load.
Bill D

edit: socket head cap screw? But at least two different heads under that one name. SHCS

[michael langman]

Fillister head bolt, Bill.