ChatterBank1 min ago
Woodscrews
8 Answers
More of a legitimate and well deserved rant than a question, but there's one in there somewhere.
What is it with no matter what you actually want to do a job, they don't make/sell it ? This is just the latest example.
I needed screws to fix a shelf I've created to the brackets I've bought. The bracket holes clearly indicated I needed size 10 screws (proper sizes, not metric) as that width fits perfectly. The bracket is too thin to sensibly try to countersink the existing bracket holes, so I need roundhead or cheesehead or pan or something; anything but countersunk. I check the depth of shelf wood and see I need ½" length (proper sizes, not metric) screws, so that should be dead simple then. I just need a 10x½" roundhead screw. If I don't already have one in those "millions" of jars of screws I have, I just need to go and buy some.
It turns out that not only do I not have them, I can't find them on the Internet either. Worse, any single compromise I make to what I need is insufficient to come up with a presently made woodscrew.
Against my better judgement I decide that maybe the size 8 won't rattle around too much; but no, there's no ½" size 8 even. I then can't find any roundhead screws of a nearby size either so I have a brainwave and look up cup washers, so I could use a countersunk screw instead. But there's still an issue with length. I remeasure and it looks that, maybe, I could use a ¾" if the cup and bracket can use up some of the screw length (and try to keep in mind the possibility of shoving in more washers if needed, too).
So I've compromised this thing to death and none of the three initial requirements ended up as they should be. The head type, the width, the length; all changed to be less than ideal. Why the heck is it so often like this, that what you need they can't be bothered to make ?
What is it with no matter what you actually want to do a job, they don't make/sell it ? This is just the latest example.
I needed screws to fix a shelf I've created to the brackets I've bought. The bracket holes clearly indicated I needed size 10 screws (proper sizes, not metric) as that width fits perfectly. The bracket is too thin to sensibly try to countersink the existing bracket holes, so I need roundhead or cheesehead or pan or something; anything but countersunk. I check the depth of shelf wood and see I need ½" length (proper sizes, not metric) screws, so that should be dead simple then. I just need a 10x½" roundhead screw. If I don't already have one in those "millions" of jars of screws I have, I just need to go and buy some.
It turns out that not only do I not have them, I can't find them on the Internet either. Worse, any single compromise I make to what I need is insufficient to come up with a presently made woodscrew.
Against my better judgement I decide that maybe the size 8 won't rattle around too much; but no, there's no ½" size 8 even. I then can't find any roundhead screws of a nearby size either so I have a brainwave and look up cup washers, so I could use a countersunk screw instead. But there's still an issue with length. I remeasure and it looks that, maybe, I could use a ¾" if the cup and bracket can use up some of the screw length (and try to keep in mind the possibility of shoving in more washers if needed, too).
So I've compromised this thing to death and none of the three initial requirements ended up as they should be. The head type, the width, the length; all changed to be less than ideal. Why the heck is it so often like this, that what you need they can't be bothered to make ?
Answers
1 to 8 of 8
Cut the screws down to size. Start it off with a full sized screw first.
11:25 Thu 25th Aug 2016
I share your frustration OG, Hardware shops and B&Q in particular always seem to carry a good range of sizes-except the one you need. I think the combination of size 10 and a comparatively short length is the problem and I also think size ten starts at 1". When I've needed an unusual combination I have managed to find a reasonable compromise in using pan head self tapping screws, these might have something you can use.
It is not uncommon for me to want a stubby screw. Much the same types of situations, need it not to rattle in the predrilled hole but can't afford to have it go right through the thing I'm screwing into.
Never occurred to me to cut a screw down to size. Must bear that in mind next time.
Have to say that the shelf is up now, but it was not a straight horizontal one but had a couple for verticals so the middle dropped a bit. I know, it'd probably have been easier to put up three separate shelves, but that wasn't the design/plan. Trouble is I didn't expect the verticals to move off vertical as I put it up and I can see one side isn't quite right now. I can't face taking it down and redrilling new holes in the wall yet. Maybe once it's been up a while and I feel enthusiastic about fixing it. Meanwhile there's a lot of stuff that was using up worktop space now out of the way.
Never occurred to me to cut a screw down to size. Must bear that in mind next time.
Have to say that the shelf is up now, but it was not a straight horizontal one but had a couple for verticals so the middle dropped a bit. I know, it'd probably have been easier to put up three separate shelves, but that wasn't the design/plan. Trouble is I didn't expect the verticals to move off vertical as I put it up and I can see one side isn't quite right now. I can't face taking it down and redrilling new holes in the wall yet. Maybe once it's been up a while and I feel enthusiastic about fixing it. Meanwhile there's a lot of stuff that was using up worktop space now out of the way.
Annoyingly, I wrote the following once and it didn't transmit, so once again;
The reason you can't find half inch 10s is because they don't exist. The best I can suggest is that you get some longer 10's with the thread running right up to the head, and saw them, off to half an inch. You would then have to make pilot holes in the shelf with a bradawl and then screw a longer screw into each hole to the depth of half an inch to form a 'thread' in the fibres of the wood, remove it and screw in your shortened screws.
The reason you can't find half inch 10s is because they don't exist. The best I can suggest is that you get some longer 10's with the thread running right up to the head, and saw them, off to half an inch. You would then have to make pilot holes in the shelf with a bradawl and then screw a longer screw into each hole to the depth of half an inch to form a 'thread' in the fibres of the wood, remove it and screw in your shortened screws.
Strange how you can buy most DIY items in America, this company sells 10x1/2" self tappers.
https:/
https:/
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