Which screws for MDF?

[krogers]

I am making a small cart out of 3/4" MDF. I will have several butt joints that I want to glue and screw together. What are the right screws to use? I know that drywall screws are not recommended. But are standard woodscrews the right choice, assuming that I drill the right size pilot holes and countersink both side of the face piece?

[crokett]

Maybe I've just been lucky but I've never had any problems with MDF and coarse thread drywall screws. Counter sinking both sides of the face piece and coarse thread drywall screws should work just fine.

[siliconbauhaus]

if you want to avoid the glue and can drill straight (no offense) then go with confirmat screws from mcfeelys or similar

[cabinetman]

Those selling confirmat screws are probably the ones not recommending coarse thread drywall screws. I've used Grabber coarse thread screws with good results. In addition to the right size pilot hole, and countersinking both sides of the top piece (actually, the back side only needs a slight countersink to prevent any crumbling to get in the joint while screwing), here is a tip that helps:

Using a cordless drill that has a slow speed (which delivers more torque) drive the screw in almost all the way, and the last turns just bump the trigger to tighten. If the screw is driven fast, it is likely that it will over spin and not hold well, or the head will twist off. Those puppies get hot when spun in fast. Holding the bit well into the head at the same angle as the screw is driven will less likely allow the bit to spin in the head.

I find the higher end screws, like Grabber have a better thread design, and are made with better material, and don't break like the cheap screws do.
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