How many screws?

[steve fleischmann]

I need to screw a 3/4 x 3/4" cleat to a 3/4' thick side board for a bed. The cleat is 71" long, and will suport plywood on which the mattress will lie. How far apart should I place the screws, and what size screws should I use?

Thanks,
Steve

[Jason Roehl]

I'd use about 5-6 1-1/4" (non-drywall) construction screws, threaded appropriately for the material they're going into--fine threads for hardwood, coarse for softwoods. Pre-drilling both pieces would be important, and counter-sinking the cleat would be good, to.

[Peter Quinn]

I'd use 1 1/4" #8's, flat head fully countersunk, one at each end and spaced 8" over the length, so 9 screws total. Make sure they are woodworking screws, do not use sheet rock screws to bare weight.

[Jamie Buxton]

Any reason not to glue the joint? Glue in shear is extremely strong.

[Peter Quinn]

Yea, glue, spline, biscuits or tongue for allignment, screws as clamps works for me.

[Cody Colston]

I'd use 1 1/4" #8's, flat head fully countersunk, one at each end and spaced 8" over the length, so 9 screws total. Make sure they are woodworking screws, do not use sheet rock screws to bare weight.

What he said.

[Ralph Barhorst]

For attaching cleats, I like to use my pocket hole screws (1-1/4"), and drill a counter-bored hole with my pocket hole drill bit. Just because the bit was designed for pocket holes doesn't mean it can't be used for other applications.