Stop Using Cheap Screws | Save Time and Reduce Headaches
Vložit
- čas přidán 10. 03. 2021
- When using the wood screws which come with mounting hardware you might have experienced frustration from the screws stripping. This is all too common because of the weak material properties and the phillips head bit design. With a small investment in superior multi-purpose screws, you will save yourself headaches and time on future projects.
Screws featured
Amazon SPAX Store: amzn.to/3qID0Wt
6 X 1" : homedepot.sjv.io/9WWAXy
#8 X 1 1/2": amzn.to/3rRrmu9
#10 X 2 1/2": homedepot.sjv.io/zaay7M
Tools Every Weekend Warrior Needs
Makita Corless Drill Combo Kit: amzn.to/2Jsw78j
Dewalt Drill Bit Set: amzn.to/2w0xAA4
Dewalt Screwdriver Bit Set: amzn.to/2UqTvK9
Craftsman Screwdriver Set: amzn.to/3bAsNEG
Eklind Allen Wrench Set: amzn.to/2wKDu8M
Pliers (4-Piece Set): amzn.to/2JlYUM7
Stanley Utility Knife: amzn.to/2Us2pqG
Stanley Tape Measure: amzn.to/2WPzr5K
Studbuddy Stud Finder: amzn.to/38MdzfV
Johnson Torpedo Level: amzn.to/3dzx5Ot
Stanley Hammer: amzn.to/39tudPL
Buck Bros Wood Chisel Set: amzn.to/2QTebYO
Klein Voltage Tester: amzn.to/2XMa1I2
Klein Outlet Tester: amzn.to/39GyO33
Wire Strippers: amzn.to/2NHHKuS
Little Giant Ladder: amzn.to/2UrFmfG
DISCLAIMER: This video and description contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. - Jak na to + styl
Try pre - drilling the wood, especially for window brackets. It will also prevent the wood from splitting.
Just had a project that involved hanging a cord reel on the ceiling of my garage. Pre-drilled all three holes and the cheap screws that came with the reel stripped anyway. Turned a 10 minute job into a two hour mess. I used some better screws I had laying around. From now on any screws that come with a product go in the trash.
LOL. I'm still using the drywall screws from the baby food jar I inherited with the house 16 years ago.
Oh man, I have found drywall screws used in pretty much every application over the years. The best is when I find them used outside open to the elements.
Me too LOL
@@EverydayHomeRepairs every application, that is, besides hanging drywall...
Be careful as drywall screws are very brittle and can break easily. Never use drywall screws to hang kitchen cabinets or anything else.
You just convinced me to buy some 1 and 3/4 inch construction screws for all those little hanging projects. I've used the longer construction screws with square or star bits before, but somehow never considered buying those smaller ones for other mounting projects. Looking around, the smaller ones seem less common, and the combo head design is handy.
You’ll never turn back 👍👍
I never heard of "spax" screws, so as soon as the video started I was prepared to comment: "Just use Robertson, and you'll stop stripping screws." But then you said it in the video. :)
Robertson is always the way to go. If you refuse to use that great Canadian design, then your next best bet is Torx. Philips screws are awful.
Wow Darkpaw! You gotta try them! Some of the best screws out there!
@@georgedavall9449 Not better than Robertson or Torx.
Spax screws are the best. I always use their torx version.
I have to agree, I don't remember ever stripping out a Robertson! But the Phillips, I don't have enough fingers to count all the stripped screws!
You need to take a couple of sheets of Comfort board fiber insulation and just stand them up in the Room that you're filming in so that you don't get that echo sound going on in the videos
PowerPro or Torx every day. Worth every penny in saved frustration.
💯
@@EverydayHomeRepairs Say hi to Champaign for me. I lived there for 13 years.
@@Blahnik1182 Nice, Go Illini!
Thanks for the informative video. As a point of note, I would suggest drill a pilot hole before using a screw as the pilot hole will prevent the wood from splitting, which happens way too often.
A high quality impact driver with a nice variable speed trigger can help, pre drilling pilot holes or at least hammering a punch in to make starter holes will make a big difference, they also have drive guides that go around the bit and screw to help keep it aligned. I'm not a fan of wasting usable screws imo, I'd prefer to just upgrade my setup to work better with them.
Ultra Rare Slash Legendary barrie Ontario
Been using Spax for years. Love them.
Thanks for the tip with the #1 Robertson. I'll have to try that next time.
Makes a huge difference 👍
Totally agree with your opinion. I am obsessive about the strength of any screw-type securing and have no concern about adjusting any part of a connection. I have not heard about Spax but will look them up because your videos are very worthwhile.
Thanks a good tip about screws, definitely going to pick up spax screws, thanks
Happy to share! 👍
Totally agree. In my case I used grk 8 x 11/4 trim screws to install 10 - 2 x 8 sheets of 3/8 overhead into a soffit outside. The previous install was with nails some of which were working there way out. This was a one man job and getting the sheets overhead and fastened with nails or normal screws would have been impossible. It was hard enough as it was. So yes use strong screws that have a solid connection to the screwdriver bit. It is also true that newer cordless screwdrivers can easily strip the heads of normal screws but I think that happened only once to me with the grk screws.
I've been using spax for years! I love them.
👊
@@EverydayHomeRepairs we built a shed from a homedepot kit, amd i replaced all the screws with spax. Worth every penny. I think out of thousands of screws I only stripped one. Amd that was a bad bit on my part.
i had the same issue with blinds that i purchased. drove me insane. ill be getting spax for sure . ty
It will be 1000% easier 👍
I upgraded to spax about a year ago, I usually use the T-20 or T-25 heads for my projects. Never had an issue with them.
Pilot holes especially in hardwood are much easier to screw into.
Good point, I know for the #6 SPAX they say no pilot hole needed. For the screws that come with the pilot would help for sure.
I use pilot holes in everything. I like the drills with the little countersink at the end.
Pilot holes all day, even for small screws. It helps screws drive straighter, prevents splitting wood when you're near an edge, plus it also helps when you occasionally encounter another nail or screw in your material which you wouldn't be able to effectively drive any screw into.
@@jtsholtod.79 these days, with self-driving torx screws, the only time that I use pilot holes is when driving one in near the edge of a board, to prevent splitting the wood. And if it's a close call, I might use two drill bits, on for the shank and one for the head, to prevent the head becoming a wedge and itself splitting the wood.
I have always had nothing but misery trying to drive "conventional" screws, even into soft wood, even with a hand screwdriver. Will certainly give these a try.
You will never turn back 🙌
I like to drill pilot holes first.
@@Lughnerson Whole time I’m thinking who doesn’t drill pilot holes? How silly.
I agree with no pilot holes all you are doing is damaging the material and looking to end up with a loose fastener...framing walls etc is different, soft wood (often wet) is more forgiving.
@@WalterMelons most people i know don't they just use self cutting screws i know because my dad used to work for a contractor
I can also recommend the Spax Star Drive (Torx) bits. But Robertson is great as well!
wow everthing you went through i would go through i always thought it was my drill bit or me….you saved me so many headche to come i will purchase the screws you reccommend …new sub here. great channel👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Spax are great! I also like to use drywall screws if no moisture will be present. Those screws that come with things are also softer metal. Major PITA!
I recently discovered GRK screws, and am in love
Yep, I hang tv mounts with those, work great
Worth the investment. Thanks
Thanks for the recommendation! We just started trying to install Lennox faux wood blinds (interior mount). Horrible! We did *one* the first day. Even redrilling the pilot holes one size larger didn’t make much difference on the crappy screws they include. We could use the driver at all because they would immediately start skipping and stripping; we had to use standard screwdrivers, pushing as hard as we could to make the screwdriver stay in the screw, and going slowly both because of how hard it was to turn without stripping and because our knuckles kept smashing against the wall. I’m hoping having good screws will make all the difference!
Great video. You can always use a drive guide to hold your screw in place, especially overhead work. As mentioned below; if it can be had as a Torx...that'll be all I use, no matter what the price.
I have one in the tool belt but haven't really bought into using it regularly just yet.
For anything that needs to hold weight - say a ceiling fan box - I always use quality lag screws. Not that garbage that comes with the box
good idea
Pilot drill and buy Robertson. We have known this in Canada for 60 years and the US is still trying to sort it out.
When I moved from Canada to the US and brought my Robertsons, I had no idea how hard it would be to find the hardware! They were getting so infrequently used that I started bringing some back when I traveled to Canada, or special ordering in a pinch.
@@jtsholtod.79 Everything thing I buy the has a package of Phillips or Torx for installation I immediately toss them and use Robertson. When I was refitting my workshop the biggest problem I had with Robertson is they fit so well, sometimes you need a set of pliers to get the screw OFF the bit...That said there are some really lousy look alike Robertson screws and bits showing up. Leave it to China to mess up even the best of designs.
I’m just a DYI’er but love SPAX screws!
Robertson drives are awesome. I used them for years in sheet metal assembly. The Robertson design came out of Canada decades ago. While popular up there it is not widely known or used here in the States. It should be though. Anything you can do with a Phillips screw and driver you can do faster and better with a Robertson square drive.
Bonus feature - When you need to take that screw back out the Robertson is better at that too. If you've ever tried to remove a rusty Phillips screw you know what I mean.
Completely agree 👍
I have switched to T25 head screws, no more fighting with Phillips head screws
Buy the exterior ones, even for dry conditions. They are stronger.
“It seems like you sneeze, or look at the screw wrong,,,” @0:29 Love it! Good quality Pan head screws have their place in certain applications, but whenever possible, I use SPAX, GRK, or ‘PowerPlus,’ in that order. SPAX screws in their T20, T30 variants and so on, must be used with the special bit included in the box, for best results! A 3 inch or longer screw will stay on the bit, as you shake your drill/ impact up and down, really, try it! I was taught to pre drill and I had to when installing high end custom casework, especially hardwood cabinets! SPAX is the only screw I can get away with no pre drilling. They just go in! The spinning the screw in reverse works, but can lead to unwanted results if you slip up, so why not just punch a quick small hole in with a drill, and switch to impact and you’re done! These are great vids Scott!
👍👍👍👍👍😁✌🏻🇺🇸
Hey George, thanks for the feedback and I agree "they just go in!" 👍
For a better screw, do like all Canadians in construction do. Use "Robertson head" screws. Your Spax screws have accommodation for Robertson head screwdriver tips. What are "Robertson Head" screws, well, they are screws with square heads. Depending upon the size of screw, there are about 3 common sized screwdriver tips.
What is so special about Square head screws and square head screwdriver tips? A) The screw is friction held to the screwdriver tip.The screw will not fly away as you start screwing. Robertson head is great as a non-slip mate of screw and screwdriver, and at about the same cost as garden variety screws. B) Most electrical receptacles accommodate Robertson screwdriver tips as well.
Canadian electrical receptacles accommodate Robertson screwdriver tips.
One final feature of "Robertson screws", you can apply more torque to compared to other style heads such as flat or Philips or star shaped. Spax is definitely a better type of screw.
I stopped using phillips screws for most of my projects. Use the spax/torx head now for just about everything except for decorative purposes (i.e pyramid head screw). Out of all the brands I find at the big box store (Spax, Grip-Rite, GRK, etc.)......I like the GRK ones the best.
I also like the GRK the can be reuse, no more regular Phillips screws.
When I install cordless blinds I immediately throw out the low quality screws that come with the blinds. I pick up some inexpensive Everbilt screws and predrill the wood for a perfect job. I will pick up some Spax screws from Home Depot and give them a try on my next project.
I used Spax and other square drive screws for years and was very happy with them. I also use Kreg screws, for both pocket screws and for assembling jigs that I expect to disassemble.
I was really disappointed that my local Home Depot switched over to the T-Star Spax, as well as Torx for things like drywall screws. The problem that I run into is that causes me to have to switch bits much more frequently. Different screws require different bit sizes and with Spax T-star if you buy standard Torx longer bits they don't hold the Spax screws very well.
Hey Rich, I did have the exact same impressions when I first saw the Spax T-Star. It has grown on me a bit over the last year or so but still see the pain of swapping out bits especially for each brand of fastener 🤦♂️
Space are awesome
Pilot holes. Instead of the commercial.
All screws should only go into a pilot hole.
It’s a good idea to carry one of those spring loaded center punches for making little pilot holes.
Robertson screws are way better. Thank-you Canada for the Robertson.
Just about to close on a house, and will be using these to hang the curtain rods
Wow! Spending time watching a video on screws!!!
😂
I prefer to use GRK screws but I can't find them in the shorter 1" and 3/4" sizes. For those sizes I use the Spax screws. My problem is it seems every box of Spax screws I have bought has 1/4 of them that a Philips bit won't fit properly and I have to throw them out. I was not aware of the Robertson bit working in them though. I'll have to give that a try the next time I buy a box of Spax.
George, that is a good point as I have seen some inconsistencies with the screw head but I do think the Robertson is a little more forgiving and hopefully you won’t have to throw any out. Best of luck 👍
Good evening. For the last twenty years I have been using a stainless steel pan head 1-1/4 “ sheet metal screws instead of what comes with any brand of window blinds. I do this because I discovered about twenty ago that the quality of screws that come (made in China) was and still is horrible! They would frequently strip out, break, or bend causing a great deal of additional work. A technique that I have also learned to do as well is to pre-drill. As a handyman since my retirement six years ago, I done installs of blinds or curtains in whole houses. So pre-drilling, using 1-1/4” sheet metal pan head screws has about 99% success rate. I never tired the Spax. My experience with Roberson type of screw head is far superior to the Phillips head. My method with the materials described and a low torque cordless screwdriver (Dewalt DCF680) and a Heavy duty ratcheting multi screwdriver ((Klein #32558). I start with the cordless screwdriver and then I finish with the ratcheting screwdriver to control the final torquing.
Hey Richard, thanks for the great feedback.
One thing which has always helped me was to put added pessure on the screw once it has bitten into the wood
Agree, some times it is tough working overhead and that is also where SPAX shine.
You can use original screws, but you have to mark your locations and predrill. Spax are self drilling. I prefer to buy the torx or robertson general construction screws. Each design has a purpose.
You will always have a bad time using those panheads when they are not self drilling.
There are inexpensive magnets you can slip on your bits that can securely hold the screws when driving them in one-handed.
Especially useful when you're on a ladder or in an area where it's hard/impossible to retrieve any dropped screws!
Hey Rudy, thanks for the feedback.
I agree completely. Over the years doing projects like putting up shades or shelves or putting kid’s furniture together, and they include screws made out of marshmallow or something. So yeah, best idea is to supply your own. Great advice!
“Marshmallows” 😂
"Marshmallow" - lmao! :)
I've come to hate the combination drive screws that are furnished with other items that you buy nowadays. I throw them away and buy Phillips screws instead. You get better results with pre drilling especially in hard woods. I wasn't aware of SPAX screws but I'll have to try them in the future.
Something tells me you are going to be a fan 👍
just ordered the #10-2 1/2 " . think they might be better than the regular deck screws i have for an odd job. will let you know.
Great tips! Any diyer has felt that pain. I certainly have!
I discovered Spax screws a while ago. Much better holding power, and Torx or Robertson heads are also much better than Phillips.
The square drives and torx drive screws rock, I avoid Philips at all cost.
Philips is an anachronism anyway. It was designed to replace slotted screws on the assembly line, since it self-centers the screw and helps prevent camming out and damaging the workpiece. But the cam-out problem was still an issue with phillips, so they tried to sell it as a feature for aircraft manufacturers, where power tools could strip screws on aluminum aircraft frames. There is no reason to keep using it in the age of better designs, clutches, and torque limiters.
I tend to drill small pilot holes when hanging brackets.
Yeah, that would help with the standard screws. With Spax and other high end #6 screws usually can skip the pilot holes and still get a solid end product.
@@EverydayHomeRepairs , I also do it to avoid wood splitting.
Use apex bits and torx screws. Apex makes impact bits that exceed the quality of any other brand I have used in decades. Torx screws to prevent cam out and to save me time and frustration.
Thanks for the tip on Apex bits 👍
Love Spax
👍👍
When I'm doing something that will require some force to drive the screws, I use SPAX or GRK, but I've seen other brands of similar screws in my hardware store. But when I'm installing blinds like in the video, I just predrill the hole and the screws that come in the kit go in easily. Actually I predrill almost every time I'm using any type of screw.
Torx and for drywall --- Toggler brand drywall anchors Toggler SnapSkru SP
I pre-drill, but use spax exclusively.
GRK screws are the BEST!!!
A good trick that I have been using for a long time with ordinary screws. Starts by biting your screw in the wood then puts your drill on reverse until smoke comes out of the wood than screws it. it’s gonna be easier and wood won’t crack.
Right on! Jeff on RenoVision Tv channel used this in one of his videos! Works!
I mostly use Robertson screws myself (in Canada)... even generic square drive screws work better than Phillips in most situations.
💯
Philips are pretty much garbage and I don't know why we still use them for anything anymore. Give me Robertson or Torx any day.
Square drive is best but hard to find outside Minnesota area
You mean Canada?
Robertson all the way. I never use the cheap soft metal Phillips head screw that come with things.
It is a one way road to F-bomb town 😂
That's probably the bigger issue - material. Phillips are usually just fine for most applications, as long as the screws aren't made of cheap steel that virtually disintegrates if you look at it the wrong way. Unfortunately 99% of the time that's what you get.
I much prefer to use Torx (a.k.a. star) drive screws. I used Robertson screws in the past, but before long, the bit and/or the screw head would round off, making both of them useless. I haven't yet had that happen to me with Torx screws.
I don't have any brand loyalties, but I switched to using T20 construction screws for the stuff I care about, or when I want to get things done quick and as solid as possible. I still have the "screw jar" (actually several sorted screw drawers) that everyone seems to have, and I still use those here and there if I'm just doing something simple. But if I'm screwing into wood where hold matters and/or its a large or long screw, then that's when you want to ditch the cheap-os. If you pull out your impact driver, why in the great googly-moogly would you use it on this junk and expect the screw NOT to strip?
The screws they ship with blinds are particularly awful because they are those combination flat head / Phillips head screws that don't work very well for either type of bit. Jack of all trades master of none. A good #2 Phillips screw doesn't cam out nearly as easily.
Bought a box of those cheap home depot store brand screws. Stripped the first 3 out of 4 and I threw the box away and have been using only SPAX ever since.
I use square drive screws from McFeely's exclusively. Very much worth teh extra bucks.
Nah I use power pro torx deck screws from Lowes. They're the only screw I'll use unless if its for a decorative purpose. The other day I used some cheap PH2 screws and they instantly stripped what garbage.
I’ve had fantastic results with Spax, PowerPRO, and GRK. Every time I try to use a “self-tapping” wood screw out of the Harbor Freight kit, I end up pissed off and covered in screw head shavings. It’s worth the extra pennies.
For sure!
Best thing from Canada = ROBERTSON
Before having this channel I never knew the connection between Canada and Robertson. Let’s just say I am well aware now 😉
Going to have to disagree with the choice for a few reasons. The first being the Spax is a flat head while the other screws are a pan head, there are applications that a pan head screw is a better option, like mounting metal to wood or with the use of washers. The second being impacts and Phillips head aren't an ideal combination, they like to cam out once too much torque is applied; part of the design of them. I run anything but Phillips head anytime that I can, however if I need a pan head screw and can't get one without torx etc, they will have to do.
Yup. I was thinking the same thing. There are reasons why the heads are different. The screw he picked is meant to be flush with the wood. Watch the blinds fall off because it pulls through the bracket.
@@tyler785 this application shouldn’t be too bad but for anything with serious weight I would use something else
Speaking of hanging blinds, what other tricks do you know to make the job go faster when you have to hang a bunch of them?
I got so tired of hanging blinds! At first my goal was to use blinds from the manufacturer and with identical mounting brackets, (so I could reuse the bracket) but then they become 'discontinued' and I have to move to something new. Probably have 3 diff styles in use now. So now am switching to curtains. And I make my own mounting rod from 1/2' rigid copper - looks good with my apartments. If they damage it, I slide on a new one in 5 minutes tops. Bing ga da boom
Spax! I'm too old to be dealing with crapola!
No doubt!
Ever made shelves with medite? You want panheads for that. Nice, wide screwheads with a flat surface.
I can't use the screws that came with blinds. Half of the time they will split the wood trim unless they are pre-drilled.
That’s because they’re designed to be pre-drilled. It depends on the wood you are screwing into as well.
But when you need a panhead, a flat head is a poor substitute. Or if you need a round head, a flat head wont do.
Exactly, it torques me off when a panhead is called for and a "contractor" uses a flat head... which can be used if you also have a finish washer...
Aqui usamos el tornillo Gypson
Sí, mucha gente aquí también usa un tornillo Gypson o Drywall para muchos proyectos diferentes. No soy un gran fanático de usar estos tornillos para otra cosa que no sea paneles de yeso. Gracias por la respuesta.
Ah hell , just use those's Lag bolts to hang the mini blinds , and be done with it !
In the non-metallic boxes I don't wrap the receptacle but to each their own. Here is a video going over the topic czcams.com/video/mY45ZDdiPn4/video.html
Pilot hole first?
The Spax #6 are fine without a pilot hole but a pilot hole for the standard screw would help for sure.
But you cant find torx or star drive anywhere in this size.
a few are starting to appear in some stores (particularly Power Pro One from Hillman), but mostly only in exterior finishes that look weird on interior projects. McMaster Carr has small wood screws in Torx but the coating is a weird rough texture. i have yet to find an equivalent of the dime-a-dozen zinc readily available in any size from #4x3/8 to #10x2 but with a drive that's actually usable :(
Why are outdated phillips screws used????? Torx or star only, period.
best screw i ever had was in vietnam in 1968.
I don't disagree but your predrilled hole was far too small for the job. Some parts of your argument are mutually contradictory. With the right predrilling the screw doesn't fall sideways as yours did and you don't strip the head either. Both of those are signs if not doing the job correctly. However the screw should be solid in the wall. It should only be weak in the wall if the hole is overdrilled to a ridiculous extent, or so underdrilled that the threads pull out material from the wall before they have started to bite. Different problems from what was displayed.
Lol, blame the screw, 😉
You're using the wrong driver in the first place. Don't use a impact driver, instead use a regular drill with a slower torque, and go slowly. Pre drill a pilot when you're going into wood. No need for fancy pants screws! lol
I should have mentioned but this impact has multiple speed settings and application modes so it is actually really nice for this application.
All we had was Chyna made junk to screws it’s kind a hard to find a good screw anymore let’s face it all they have at the big box stores we need to start manufacturing our own screws or junk they fall apart strip out or junk
Thanks for your information and video 📹 I appreciate you please push like 👍 bottom
You forgot about stress
Your problem is with the cheap @ss screws that come in kits, usually from China. I ALWAYS throw them out (as well as their crappy wall plugs), and use robertson replacements, yes i’m Canadian. Spax are great screws, but I prefer a pan head to hold down a bracket or clip.
Edit: As well, why are you using an impact driver on 1” screws? You’d need it on 3” or those lag screws. Seems a little overkill.
I just cut off the screw heads I have & weld on bigger heads works better for me.
Well, it WOULD be secure if you didn't over drive/rotate the screw with your misuse of that impact.
I should have mentioned that but this Makita impact has 4 speed settings in addition to multiple application modes. I had it set to 2 of 4 speed which works well for this type of job.
@@EverydayHomeRepairs The setting isn't relevant if you don't know what you are doing. Like I said, you over rotated.
Btw, I noticed you have really bad echo on your videos--you're probably in a small room. It's a big distraction.
The pain will be over soon. It is actually the current renovation project which is an echo chamber. Next property should be much better. Thanks for the feedback.
Robertson is superior to Philips.
👊
First🤘 nice video thank's
Thanks for watching!
Cheap or expensive if you don’t pre drill a pilot hole you are doing it wrong.
Even if the manufacturer of the fastener specifically calls out no pilot hole for #6 size screws?
Sure sounds like a commercial to me....................
I wouldn’t use an impact driver to screw those kinds of screws in. I’ve put up plenty of those mini blinds with a standard drill and the supplied screws and had no issues. This seems more like user error as well as an ad for SPAX
Sorry I should have called that out as I was using a Makita XDT16 amzn.to/3vliPBs which has multiple speed settings and application modes to adapt to jus this type of job. Little pricey but was an awesome upgrade a few months back.
😎👍👌🖖✌ 😁
People are too lazy these days. Predrilling is the answer to so called problems. I see this all over that people think they can get away without doing so and only do sloppy work that causes cracked wood. Whether Spax or no name brands predrilling in the end saves time, money and aggravation, But hey that's only my opinon. I mean it's like if I want to look outside I open a window and do not just try to push my head through the wall, right?
Same thing with metalwork flipping drill and tap, get rid of those stupid zip screws
Product placement and repeating the name over and over again is key to a good sponsored video... You checked all the boxes in this video. Just sayin'...