Deck screws in hardwood

[SBartleet]

Hi,

I am trying to screw my deck boards onto hardwood joists. I have purchased 10 gauge 50 mm 304 stainless steel self drilling screws. When I screw then into the joists without a pilot hole I can get the screws in OK. Sometimes the screws do not self countersink properly and when I try and screw the screws out the shear off.

Is there anything that I can do to give me a second chance at getting the screws in. I have heard that one can put beeswax on the screws, is this something that I should be looking at doing?

I am also planning on two screws per board at each joist, is this overkill? would one screw sufice?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[soundman]

Most people will be nailing their deck down.
If you want to screw down hardwood to hardwood, I think you will be pre drilling.
probably best to get a pilot drill/counterbore/countersink.
These have a replacebale drill up the middle with a counterbore/ countersink head. I have several in "vermont american"
You will break a few drills up the middle.
cheers

[Gaza]

have had problems with S/S decking screws this year, had a big job where there was over $1000 in screws alone. We had to pre-drill and counter sink we got a drill bit that does both (Cab Tec has one for $50.00) or even most hardware have a cheap set for $10.00. NB get a few replacement drill bits that go in the counter sink bit as they all ways break.

Yes two fixings per board per joist or the decking will cup.

[Trav]

make sure that you get the right size - I ahve had problems with SS screws shearing off when screwing into hardwood. I sorted it out by moving up a size of pilot hole. No more shearing!

Trav

[maglite]

You can also try using a bar of handsoap.
Simply run the thread of the screw along the soap, then drill into the pilot hole.
The soap acts like a lubricant, makes for easier driving in + out.
I have used the method when screwing jarrah together and it works quite well.

Hope this helps.
Cheers
Steve

[soundman]

Ahh the old soap on the screw thing. This one turns up pretty regular and has done for many many years.
It works, BUT.
Saop isn't a particularly neutral thing & can cause a variety of problems under certain curcumstances the most common is corrosion of the fasteners. There are other suposed effects that can be argued all day but the corrosion is a dead cert. I know that the fasteners in this case are stainless but they are in timber exposed to the eliments and satinless is prety good ( I love stainless ) but it ain't completly corosion proof.
If you get the right size pilot holes you should be fine. Lubricating screws is a slow thing to do if you have "a quantity" to put in.
cheers