Self-drilling Wood Screws - good source?

[Joe Hollis]

After drilling lots of pilot holes over the years, both in hardwood and softwood lumber, and those years making that task less fun that it once was, is there a source anyone has for good quality self-drilling general purpose steel wood screws in the common sizes? The only ones I can find up here (Canada) are mostly construction screws that are in lengths I would almost never use.

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

Joe H.

[Richard Coers]

Do you really want a drill grind on the end of the screw, or something like a SPAX screw that has a modified thread to almost act like a drill? Big box stores around here sell SPAX.

[Mark Hennebury]

+ 1 for SPAX

[Lee Schierer]

I've switched to Spax screws. I like the Torx drive and the higher strength. In really hard wood such as hickory I still drill pilot holes and countersinks to avoid potential spitting.

[Frank Pratt]

Lee Valley used to have a very good selection of screws, including Spax. They still do carry these.

https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/hardware/fasteners/screws/wood-screws/58001-roberston-lo-root-self-drilling-screws

I use them & they are quite good, better than any I've gotten at a big box store.

[Patrick Varley]

I agree on the Spax. Definitely easy since they are widely available (in the US). However the selection is somewhat limited in the shorter lengths (especially if prefer something besides Phillips...which I do).

I have recently become partial to McFeely's square drive: https://www.mcfeelys.com/fsl. I like the positive fit of the Robertson/square drive which makes it easier to get things started with only one hand free and no pilot hole.

[Frederick Skelly]

I agree on the Spax. Definitely easy since they are widely available (in the US). However the selection is somewhat limited in the shorter lengths (especially if prefer something besides Phillips...which I do).

I have recently become partial to McFeely's square drive: https://www.mcfeelys.com/fsl. I like the positive fit of the Robertson/square drive which makes it easier to get things started with only one hand free and no pilot hole.

+1 to McFeeley's square drive.

[roger wiegand]

I've never seen a "self drilling" screw that actually clears material out of the hole to make room for the mass of the screw. Hence they still crack wood that is subject to such things. I'll continue to pre-drill holes to avoid the frustration of split parts near the end of the project.

The quality of the readily available "construction screws" from the likes of Spax and Deckmate has certainly dramatically improved over the last two decades. The Torx drive is a marvelous innovation.

[Rob Luter]

We use wood screws with a type 17 tip in SPF door jambs that are otherwise prone to splitting. They work very well. The Link Frank Pratt included above has screws that feature this tip style.

[Jim Becker]

Spax or GRK for me. Both are readily available from local sources.

[mreza Salav]

These are what I use:
https://www.richelieu.com/ca/en/category/screws-and-fasteners/wood-screws/plain-wood-screw-flat-head-with-nibs-quadrex-drive-coarse-thread-type-17-point/1196700?nf_1026850=%281592727%29&nf_1026851=%281592755%29

[Erik Loza]

Spax or GRK are the only fasteners I've used for years. The contractor who did our composite decking used square-drive screws and I have been totally unimpressed with those as I try to snug them up.

Erik

[Richard Coers]

I've never seen a "self drilling" screw that actually clears material out of the hole to make room for the mass of the screw. Hence they still crack wood that is subject to such things. I'll continue to pre-drill holes to avoid the frustration of split parts near the end of the project.

The quality of the readily available "construction screws" from the likes of Spax and Deckmate has certainly dramatically improved over the last two decades. The Torx drive is a marvelous innovation.
I think these would drill out the hole. https://www.amazon.com/12x2-1-Reamer-Self-Drilling-Metal-Screws/dp/B07ZWCRNYK/ref=asc_df_B07ZWCRNYK/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=416690317099&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11411305608318848703&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9022120&hvtargid=pla-883314655431&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=93604208053&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=416690317099&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11411305608318848703&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9022120&hvtargid=pla-883314655431

[Alan Gage]

Are Spax ever available in bulk? The only places I've seen them locally are in expensive small packages.

I can get GRK locally in bulk and have been using them almost exclusively for the last 10 years or so. The anti-corrosion coating is overkill for interior but I like being able to have just one screw type I can grab for any project as I do plenty of exterior projects as well, which probably eat up most of the screws. They're softer so they don't break easily and are cuttable with a side cutters, unlike hardened screws.

GRK used to offer #6 screws in longer lengths (maybe up to 1 3/4?) but lately I can't find them over 1 1/4", which has me looking for alternatives.

Alan

[mreza Salav]

GRK screws are great and used a few thousands for my past projects but expensive/overkill for most projects I think.
I buy large gars (500) of various sizes of the ones I listed and they have been as good as GRK screws for me.

[Bill Space]

I've never seen a "self drilling" screw that actually clears material out of the hole to make room for the mass of the screw. Hence they still crack wood that is subject to such things. I'll continue to pre-drill holes to avoid the frustration of split parts near the end of the project.

The quality of the readily available "construction screws" from the likes of Spax and Deckmate has certainly dramatically improved over the last two decades. The Torx drive is a marvelous innovation.

This was my exact thought as well. Maybe good for construction lumber. No sure for high grade projects. .

[Stan Calow]

my go-to screw for around the house work (not woodworking) is the Simpsons self-drilling 11/4" screws. But they have a pan head therefore not for some situations.

[glenn bradley]

McFeely or similar square drive fan here for the limited number of mechanical fasteners I use in furntiure. That being said Roger is correct about when to use "self-drill" screws IMHO.

[mreza Salav]

I still pre drill for hardwood. Not for soft wood. What they really excelled at is when doing plywood boxes as they don't split the plywood when going into an edge. That's a big time saver.

[Mike Henderson]

Between square drive and Torx, I prefer Torx. I've had problems with square drive rounding out.

Mike

[Mark Hennebury]

I did my cherry T&G floor with Spax screws, still predrilled. Most jobs that i use screws, I use Roberson square drive, with the chisel point, and that is mostly just rough work like crates and jigs etc. Spax don't seem to be readily available around here, i had to order mine.

[Jim Becker]

My earlier answer for Spax and GRK was purely for construction type stuff. I use McFeely's square drive in the shop for projects 99% of the time. In the shop, I do not expect "self drilling" and pre-drill/countersink.

[Jon Endres]

I have a wide-ranging assortment of various manufacturers of screws in my shop, as I seem to do a fairly balanced amount of rough work and cabinet work, but I always seem to reach for the GRK screws in 90% of circumstances. I do have some SPAX screws and the remnants of a very large purchase of McFeeley's screws made 15+ years ago. I like the McFeeley's for fine work, as they tend to be slimmer and less aggressive. I still have hundreds of their Super-8 pocket hole screws, which are perfect for plywood joints and much of my shop/rough cabinet work. After experiencing way too many split pieces, I drill pilot holes for everything these days.

[Peter Kelly]

Spax or GRK are the only fasteners I've used for years. The contractor who did our composite decking used square-drive screws and I have been totally unimpressed with those as I try to snug them up.

ErikCertainly better than the drywall screws the previous owners used on the decking at my place :rolleyes:

https://i.imgur.com/N5abDW8.jpg

[Dan Hahr]

Find a decent builder supply and see if they carry CAMO screws. Check out camofasteners. Com. I buy them by the pound, usually 2-5 at a time. just to keep them on hand. I use them in olive green, tan, grey, and gold. All TORX heads. Much better than those high dollar boxes at Lowe’s and HD.

Dan

[Jim Matthews]

+1 to McFeeley's square drive.
+2 they're what I use.

I've never broken one, or had one strip out.

[Erik Loza]

Certainly better than the drywall screws the previous owners used on the decking at my place :rolleyes:

That’s hilarious, Peter. When we put the second story on our house in 2012 and switched to tankless water heater (exterior wall mount), I noticed later that the plumber used drywall screws to mount the unit. LOL, drywall screws, exposed to moisture, holding up a 40lb. water heater. Who thinks that’s a good idea?

Erik

[Larry Frank]

I like the Highpoint screws I have been getting at Woodcraft.

[Joe Chritz]

Custom service hardware for bulk. Spax for small numbers and local.

Joe