Do you still use 'Wood' Screws?

[radhak]

Not wanting to hijack Jon's thread...

I have fairly given up on wood screws - made of zinc, they strip or even break too easily. Worst is if this happens when I am trying to remove the screw !

I have found the beige colored 'deck' screws from HD / Lowes or even the black drywall screws more dependable. I know, the wood screws are supposed to bring the two workpieces together because of the smooth part, but that would only work if it would not strip on me.

Maybe my technique of pre-drilling is faulty, or maybe I need to look further for stronger wood screws...?

[Whaler]

I ordered an assortment of the Highpoint screws from Woodcraft and really like them.

[smorris]

I still use wood screws but I prefer them with Robertson heads when i can get them. I do occasionally dip into my drywall screws when I just need to put something together quickly.

[Uncle Cracker]

I'm one of the Highpoint crowd, also. Of course, if it's a throwaway or a mock-up, I save some cash and use coarse-thread drywall screws.

[LarryG]

True wood screws have a tapered body, and need both a pilot hole for the threaded portion and a clearance hole for the larger, unthreaded shank. Flathead wood screws need a countersink for the head, too. Drywall screws have a straight shank, and need only a pilot hole (if that) since the bugle head will usually seat itself just fine.

Because of the fussiness of all that drilling for wood screws, I don't use them much any more except for things like attaching brass hardware, where the looks really matter. Otherwise, for either concealed applications or for shop stuff that doesn't much matter, I use drywall screws, pocket hole screws (the kind with the integral washer under the head), and pan head sheet metal screws, in roughly equal proportions.

[radhak]

Once I looked up 'highpoint' screws, I now know that I have a few, and like them too. I think they are made of steel / iron, not zinc, so have more strength against stripping. Now I know where to get them, thanks!

I had heard that done properly, wood screws are good to bring two pieces together, while drywall screws would only do that with strong clamping beforehand. But truth be told, the fussiness is too demanding.

I am surprised HD still offers traditional woodscrews and not the better sort.

[drillman88]

I generally use deck screws and pocket screws just to keep the assortment managable. I do use some 1 1/8" drywall screws joining thin pieces.The deck screws are alot more substantial than drywall and woodscrews and don't break easily.

[Richard in Smithville]

I have a few pounds of the green deck screws that were given to me. They work fine as long the heads are to be hidden. Also I avoid anything that isn't a robertson.

[poolhound]

Not wanting to hijack Jon's thread...

I have fairly given up on wood screws - made of zinc, they strip or even break too easily. Worst is if this happens when I am trying to remove the screw !

I have found the beige colored 'deck' screws from HD / Lowes or even the black drywall screws more dependable. I know, the wood screws are supposed to bring the two workpieces together because of the smooth part, but that would only work if it would not strip on me.

Maybe my technique of pre-drilling is faulty, or maybe I need to look further for stronger wood screws...?

Not a problem, great question as I am about to restock on various screws.

Right now I have a mixture. Drywall gets a lot of use especially for shop projects and places where they are unseen. For exposed but decorative use brass is still my first choice.

I am looking primarily for what the best utility screws might be and also get frustrated when I rip the head off one.

[crokett]

I use drywall screws for most everything. Bringing pieces together is not an issue since I long ago got into the habit of clamping the pieces beforehand.

[pacwind3]

I used to use mostly drywall. A couple of years ago I worked as a furniture making professionally, they used square drive primarily. I am trying to switch to nothing but square drive. I've gotten tire of philips bits slipping and stripping out.
I was getting the spax screws from HD but I've found them to be limited now days. They have the combo philips/square drive.

[Len]

I still use brass wood screws for brass hardware and "the looks" on some pieces. I picked up a set of Irwin counter sink/counter bores w/replacable pilot drills for predrilling. They work well in a drill press.

Otherwise I use an assortment of dry-wall, deck, and self-drilling truss-head and pan head screws.

Len

[cabinetman]

I don't use "wood screws". I use a drywall type screw (coarse thread, straight shank) from Grabber. They don't break or get stripped.
.

[drumpriest]

Pocket screws for stuff that I build for the shop.

No screws for furniture work, except for hardware stuff (hinges, figure 8s)

drywall or deck screws for construction projects.

[eezlock]

do you still use 'wood' screws?

I have some of them....don't use them anymore than I have to! I prefer deck screws or drywall screws. I was in one of the borgs a few weeks back, and
happened to bump into one of the "leading"screw mfg. sales reps. I asked him about the "Robertson" screws, he tapped danced around an answer
like he had never heard of them....kind of lead me to believe that those type of screws must be sold in Canada or somewhere else but not here. Does anyone have a good idea where they can be bought in southeast USA?