Are confirmat screws really that much better?

[Rick Cicciarelli]

I'm about to start assembling a bookcase that I made from 23/32" hardwood plywood. Are confirmat screws really THAT much better than regular wood screws for endgrain? The bookshelves all have adjustable shelving except the bottom shelf, middle shelf, and the top, all of which are sitting in a dado and I planned to use wood glue and woodscrews coming in from the outside of the upright panels. Would confirmat screws really add that much more strength or are they not really worth it for this application?

[Jim Becker]

Since you used plywood, rather than MDF or a particle board based sheet stock, you can use non-Confirmat screws successfully if you pre-drill and don't over tighten them. And yes, the glue is important as that is where the real joint strength comes from.

But Confirmat screws are "da best" if you are using MDF or particle board based sheet goods plus when you want something that can possibly be knocked down later. (no glue assembly obviously in that scenario) They have good holding power without ripping out of that kind of material. (Even better when glue is involved)

Personally for plywood, I use regular square drive screws from McFeeley's or pocket screws, depending on my chosen assembly method.

[Bob Goeb]

Rick, Confirmats are our standard for constuction in my cabinet shop, it is an incredible fastener. However they are not designed to work in plywood, just particle core. we use them in our plywood bookcase's/ ent centers all the time (where they can be hidden) I don't think they would add any strength to plywood but they wont hurt it either. Useing the correct step drill is critical. Hope that helps. Bob

[frank shic]

rick, they'll work just fine in plywood. after you get your hands on a couple of confirmat screws you will likely never use a regular screw for cabinet assembly again. the trick is to bore the hole straight so that you don't get any blowouts on the horizontal shelves, top and bottom. the zentrix drill guide works great but a cheaper alternative is to use a general drill guide and attach a 1/4" plywood or melamine sub-base and screw a stop to it to help you center the holes on end boring operations.

[Ken Shoemaker]

Tomorrow morning I'm going to assemble a bookcase for my daughter. I don't know what a conformat screw is.. Can anyone explain???

[Chris Friesen]

Actually, I think its "confirmat".

http://www.mcfeelys.com/tech/confirmat.aspx

[Bruce Wrenn]

Confirmats are designed to be removable and later reinstalled. As in knock down furniture. Personally, particle board screws hold just as well, and are a lot cheaper.

[Nissim Avrahami]

Hi Ken

Here are a few pics (from the full procedure) from the times that I made my kitchen cabinets.
I like to drill the countersunk holes on the drill press (or with drill stand, if the board is too big) and later, use them as a guide to drill into the other board all the way.

Normally, I'm using the 50mm (2") long Confirmats

Regards
niki


http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t104/nanikami/Melamine%20cabinet/013.jpg


http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t104/nanikami/Melamine%20cabinet/014.jpg


http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t104/nanikami/Melamine%20cabinet/015.jpg

[Ken Shoemaker]

Niki, you should have your own show!!!!! Evertime I see your post the answer is crystal clear. I saw your post on making a cross cut sled. I've got one planned for this Saturday. Thanks again!!! Ken