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What’s your favorite screw?

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vavet

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I hate using nails. I’m terrible at driving them, so I tend to use screws when assembling something. I tend to use #8 screws. My go to is the grip rite construction screw, but I also use deck screws sometimes, even for stuff that will be in the house or shop and not exposed to weather.
These grip rite construction screws are not the same as the Spax or GRK screws that are intended to replace lags. The box specifically states for non structural use.
I know some people use drywall screws for everything and that is tempting at times because they’re cheap and readily available and most have never had a problem but I tend to steer clear.

Is there any reason not to use the deck or exterior screws for inside uses if I already have it on hand? Is it just a matter of cost?
 

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matt_i

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I like GRKs of several types. The RSS, the "cabinet" screw and I think its an R4 which is akin to a T-25 deck screw.
 
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casmurbax

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x2 Matt. I built a deck last year, used GRK, they worked great. Built a couple of raised garden beds this year, they worked great for that as well. I like the star heads better.
 
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matt_i

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One thing I like in GRK is they keep the T25 in all of their R4 deck screws. Some mfg like ABC-Spax go to a T-20 for smaller lengths, which makes me mad because its easy to screw up and use the undersized T20 driver for a bit then spin it out in a T25 socket, and damage both the internal socket and also the bit...iow I would rather not have to pull out the T-20 at all :bounce:
 
R

rlitman

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vavet said:
...Is there any reason not to use the deck or exterior screws for inside uses if I already have it on hand? Is it just a matter of cost?
Click to expand...

For what? Cabinetry or hanging shelves? Have at it. They're superior to the conventional wood screw in most ways.
 
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LeeG

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I use SPAX almost exclusively, along with a few GRK. Even on big projects, buying them in bulk makes them quite affordable.

$2.50 for 25 - $.10 ea
$9.50 for 200 - $.045 ea
$38 for 1000 - $.038 ea
$100 for 5000 - $.02 ea
 
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joe49

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Don't frame with deck screws, you need to use screws of sufficient strength as require for the joining you do. Fastening should match or exceed accepted nailing or fastening schedules, easy to search the info.
 
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cmandp

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My go to for any use (outside or in treated wood) are GRK, for interior or more utilitarian projects I use construction screws.

matt_i said:
One thing I like in GRK is they keep the T25 in all of their R4 deck screws. Some mfg like ABC-Spax go to a T-20 for smaller lengths, which makes me mad because its easy to screw up and use the undersized T20 driver for a bit then spin it out in a T25 socket, and damage both the internal socket and also the bit...iow I would rather not have to pull out the T-20 at all :bounce:
Click to expand...

I don't know about smaller Spax screws but GRKs I guess are better about keeping the same drive size. Well I guess the short 1-1/2" and under scrws uses that terriable square/philips combo drive which is aweful even with the special bit.

GRK Trim screws are T10, cabinet screws are T15 in all of the sizes I usually use. The R4 step down to a T15 once you get to a 1-1/2" screw though which I was a bit annoyed by.
 
D

Dredwolf

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Aug 16, 2011
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South Carolina
matt_i said:
I like GRKs of several types. The RSS, the "cabinet" screw and I think its an R4 which is akin to a T-25 deck screw.
Click to expand...

Very recent convert to GRK, repairing the old board fence on the family farm. Adult sons not interested in outdoor/farm/physical labor work or 20 minute trip to help, so had to figure out how to simplify the work so I could do it alone. Saw them at one of the big box stores, and liked how they kept to the T25, after a one-day test run with another brand, and swapping the T25 and T20 got old fast.
Only have to pre-drill on the oldest oak boards, and can run them in with one hand using the impact driver and the other holding the board. Repairs go much faster, making more time to build things on the honey-do list, also with GRK screws and the occasional Spax fastener for a specific need.
I don't have a box handy, but think the GRK deck screws are rated structural? I know I have not snapped the heads off any with the impact driver, but I'm cautious after snapping so many Phillips head screws after first getting the impact driver.
 
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petee_c

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to the OP,

in Canada, #2 Robertson.... it's a little different than the US 'square drive' for what you're doing - wood construction or deck building...
 
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Flat Thunder Channel

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Ohio
I have had my practice with phillips heads, square heads, and torx head screws. My preference is coated torx head screws. I think they drive the best. My only dislike is having to switch bit sizes from the small to larger deck screws.

I think a high quality screw is important. I remember purchasing cheap phillip's head screws in the past. The body of the screw was out of round / not concentric with the head. When you would drive the screws they would wobble out of round tossing the bit out of the driving feature. It would make the screw nearly impossible to drive all the way in without stripping the head. I cursed those cheap screws several times.
 
T

theoldwizard1

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Feb 22, 2011
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SE MI
Drywall screw rust quickly. I do use a lot of of Grip Rite construction screws. I prefer the gray "coated" screws over the "gold" colored screws.

I use a fair number of "sheet metal" screws, in size #8, #10 and #12. Course threads, full length. Typically pan head but you might be able to get them in truss head. You are not going to find a good selection in big box stores or hardware store. Fortunately, I have a fastener store nearby.
 
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Shiftless

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dscheidt

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petee_c said:
to the OP,

in Canada, #2 Robertson.... it's a little different than the US 'square drive' for what you're doing - wood construction or deck building...
Click to expand...

Not the good ones. the Robertson patents have been expired for decades. Nothing is stopping anyone who cares to from making a driver or a screw that's an exact copy of the Robertson drive. They can't call it a Robertson, because the trademark is still valid, unless they pay for the license to do so. So call it square, and save the money. There are some crappy copies that don't have the taper, or don't have the right taper, but most stuff does. There are crappy copies of all driver styles, though, so this isn't unique to Robertson.
 
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Bert_

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I like nails. Screws are great if you want to take it back apart but otherwise I'm happy to hand nail
 
G

gayler

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Sep 22, 2011
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Lakin Kansas
GRK For most everything nowadays. I used to use the cheapest thing I could find till I tried GRK. There is no problem using exterior screws indoors.
 
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PelicanPines

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New Jersey, USA, Earth, My own reality
Bert_ said:
I like nails. Screws are great if you want to take it back apart but otherwise I'm happy to hand nail
Click to expand...

Agree, nailing is great for a one and done thing. Screwing is for when you want to revisit the same project and rescrew.

Damage occurs when you try to un-nail but rescrewing is just plain fun.

All the talk about GRK... never went that way before... Will consider adding it to my screw toolbox.
 
M

Monza Harry

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Dec 29, 2018
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Windsor ON
joe49 said:
Click to expand...
I watched part of that [I will revisit the rest later]. I do want some of his toys though, Radial Drill, Jib Crane, Furnace/Forge, Huge "Anvil" and that Antique looking Vise, ( I should know what that style is called I've read about them on here about 40+ times:lol_hitti) and a Humpback Drill Press just in the first 2 minutes of watching, I couldn't concentrate anymore LOL! Harry
 
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