Screws

[Gavmacp]

I had a nightmare putting up a curtain pole, well three actually. Tried putting them up with screws supplied (phillips) but got to a certain point and screwdriver turned but screw did not. Which after a while would knacker the head. Used slot/flat head screws which went in a dream. So my question is:-
1. Am I just crap at DIY? (I know I am not great).
2. Do they supply poor quality screws?
3. Am I using the correct screwdriver for screw AND
4. If not how am I supposed to know which one to use with the screw supplied.
I feel like it is a secret society that I am not allowed to join.

[ChuckFickens]

Probably 2 and 3, possibly 1 :)

There is more than one type of crosshead screw, not just phillips and the wrong bit in the wrong screw will slip very easily (or of course the wrong size of the correct bit will slip easily too)

http://www.diydata.co...ials/screws/heads.gif

Looking at the screw and the bit you should be able to see if it's a phillips or a pozi and if you get a small selection of bits (and a handle) you should be able to get the correct type and size for most jobs..

http://www.screwfix.c...wdriver-bit-set/98862

[The Builder]

Sad, but so true, Gav. A lot of the "trade" love to maintain the "mystique".
As with most things, it's a matter of experience. When you've spent a great deal of your life graunching screwheads, drilling into pipework etc, you learn.

I could tell you, just from looking at it, what the problem is, but maybe not from here though :o(
Either........ screw too big for rawlplug ..........
screw too long for rawlplug ......
If no plug, then ........... (into wood???) .......... drill a 3 or 4mm pilot hole first................

What are you screwing into?

[Gavmacp]

I was just screwing into wood but it was rather difficult as space was an issue. I just hate doing a crap job.

[The Builder]

Pilot hole, Gav

Another good reason for using a pilot hole ................ much less likelyhood of splitting the wood.

[AlBags]

Yes
Yes
Yes
Pass

[joggerjayne]

Maybe you need to get a "little man" round ?

[bookbinder]

Phillips screws are favoured by 'the trade' because they go well with electric screwdrivers. They don't survive being taken out and put back in very well, but, once a tradesman has put his Phillips screws in, he's off to the next job. It's the householder who has the hassle of taking them out again, or of making sure that he has the correct screwdriver. If I buy something that has Phillips screws with it, I use slotted screws instead. You can get a good grip on a slotted screw, and the screwdriver isn't as likely to slip as it would with Phillips screws. Throw the Phillips screws away, and use slotted ones instead.

[PeelerPal]

Also Gav, just so you know, which nobody has touched on, there is a difference between a phillips screw and a pozi screw so you may be using a PZ drill bit to screw in a PH screw or vice versa. I probably wouldn't pre drill a pilot wth a 3or 4mm drill bit though as thats a little too big a pilot hole,I woild recomment a 1 or 2mm pilot drill