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Thread: Crummy Screws

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
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    Glenhaven, NSW
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    Default Crummy Screws

    Given that most of the hardware in our shops comes prepackaged from Asia, why do our retailers not insist that any screws packaged with said hardware actually work? I have bought hinges of quite good quality lately and every time, the screws packaged with them have been unusable, the phillips cross transforms into a cone recess or the head twists off easier than removing the cap on a stubby. That is assuming that the screw actually has a slot or cross, or that its thread is not just a series of rings like a flooring nail.
    Fortunately I have a frugal nature (read tightar$e) and have been saving and recycling screws from anything I pull apart, but these will run out some day, and there is no guarantee that the right sized screw will be a. available and b. any better than the cr@p supplied originally.
    Thanks for indulging my rant. I feel better now.
    Cheers
    Graeme

  2. #2
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    Aug 2003
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    Conder, ACT
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    Default


  3. #3
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    Brookfield, Brisbane
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    Default

    most of the screws that come with hindges etc are crap and will break off when driven into dry treated pine.

    www.carlweiss.com.au
    Mobile Sawmilling & Logging Service
    8" & 10" Lucas Mills, bobcat, 4wd tractor, 12 ton dozer, stihl saws.

  4. #4
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    Tooradin,Victoria,Australia
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    Default

    Keep it on topic Kiddies.

  5. #5
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    Mar 2007
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    Melbourne
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    Default

    all I can say is Alloy screws are NOT suitable for cordless drill/drivers and most elcheapo screws can be fitted IF the screw hole is pre drilled, and screwed in by hand in "softwood"...I have had similar experiances many yrs ago and acctually rang the manufacturer to complain and was told ....."oh your using the (whatever brand it was) to fix to a hardwood cabinet?, they are designed for softwoods only, you need to use the ( other model) for that....to which I commented something like ....well perhaps if you printed this info on the packaging, ppl would think your product was not entirely cr@#y.....

  6. #6
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    Mar 2005
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    Default

    This thread has touched on a problem I've been experiencing. Where can I buy good quality screws? How do you know from those rubbishy packets whether the choice you have made is the right one? I don't use many screws and I'm beginning to run out of some sizes but those I've bought from Bunnings recently are a total waste of money.

    Jerry

    Everyone is entitled to my opinion

  7. #7
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    Apr 2003
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    Tolmie - Victoria
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    Default

    Normally the hinges in the packets with the crummy screws are very ordinary in quality also.

    I rarely use the screws that come with cheap hinges instead I use quality screws which are available in most stores.

    It is a great pity that people with very little experience in woodwork are probably the chief victims of these cheap products. If those of us with more experience in woodwork have trouble with them then those with little experience and limited tools must become extremely frustrated and possibly give up altogether.

    I often wonder how much follow up business those selling these cheap and nasty products get after the first disappointment.
    - Wood Borer

  8. #8
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    Default Screws

    For good quality screws I go to specialist suppliers.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
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    Graceville. Qld
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    Default A Good Screw

    I'm with you Greymet. Got really cheesed off with this a few years ago, and thought back to the days when screws had a cut thread and not pressed. After much trawling and Googling found a supplier in USA [will have to go Googling again to find them] that had 'genuine machine cut screws' countersunk, round head - you name it they had it.

    So lashed out and bought myself about 10 years supplies in varying lenghts and gauges - bought all brass - and keep these for the 'good' projects.

    And I am here to tell you they really are a good screw.

    Will look a bit further and if I find it will give you the link. I think they were in Rhode Island

    Regard
    Colin Howkins
    Graceville Qld

    :aussie3:"Stress is brought about by one's inability to find a solution to a problem"

  10. #10
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    Jan 2003
    Location
    Osaka
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    Default

    The best, and also the cheapest screws I've bought lately come from a nut and bolt shop.

    $2.50-$8/100 depending on size. And even cheaper by the 1000 (if only I had use for that many...).
    Semtex fixes all

  11. #11
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    melbourne
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    g9,

    Could be good advice but for one problem. Where are you?

    Jerry

    Everyone is entitled to my opinion

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Sydney,Australia
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    Default

    Paul's Mid City Hardware in Castlereagh St, Sydney stock a good range of screws, both quality & variety wise. Even have their own house brand of decking & general screws that are often packed with a 1" driver bit.

    Otherwise - Sachys-Robertson for square drive screws, Coventry Fasteners for other stuff.

  13. #13
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by jerryc View Post
    This thread has touched on a problem I've been experiencing. Where can I buy good quality screws? How do you know from those rubbishy packets whether the choice you have made is the right one? I don't use many screws and I'm beginning to run out of some sizes but those I've bought from Bunnings recently are a total waste of money.

    Jerry

    Everyone is entitled to my opinion
    Try Charmers Hardware in Hawthorne. Every time I do a country run I keep an eye out for a hardware store its surprising what old stock these places in small country towns have.
    Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I´m not so sure about the universe.


  14. #14
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    Mar 2006
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    Default

    Funny, the last screw I had a problem with was a 100mm long 12 mm diameter Dynabolt. I was tightening it by hand and it snapped clean in half. No worries I thought, got another one from the box, same thing happened. After I snapped off 5 out of about 12 I took the box back and bought a different type. The bloke at Home said they'd never seen a Dynabolt snap before, so I told him what I was doing and he was very surprised - I wasn't abusing them or anything, just trying to put them in a hole in concrete (standard stuff). So it isn't only the quality of the small screws that is slipping...
    Bob C.

    Never give up.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Lambton, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
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    Default

    Hi Guys, I sympathise I also have suffered from poor quality screws. I now use Robertson square drives and haven't snapped one yet. Not sure that they go down to very small sizes. You can find them on the web on they have ads in the woodwork magazines.
    Instagram: mark_aylward
    www.solidwoodfurniture.com.au


    A good edge takes a little sweat!!

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