Deck screws for screwing into wooden studs indoors?

KnockOnWood · 20 Aug 2013 at 2:48 AM

Julas sells screws from the brand Heco. They have corrosion resistance class C4, which seems good.

These screws, along with Gunnebo, which my building materials dealer has, are enough for me. Why skimp and try with something worse?

I've experienced Biltema's anchor screws breaking already when you're screwing them in. A typical application is anchoring rafters. Good if they stay in place! Doesn't feel good to use in a building that should last 50 - 100 years.

And using decking screws in A2 quality in structural constructions seems like pure madness. A2 is the cheapest type of "stainless steel," the kind you make coffee spoons from. Like the ones Uri Geller bent with the power of thought

Anna1984 · 20 Aug 2013 at 10:38 AM

http://www.lapplandimporten.eu/Skruvar/Traeskruvar-torx/

Are you saying these are worse screws than Julas Heco? And I shouldn't buy biltema screws either?

nanowire · 20 Aug 2013 at 11:31 AM

Anna1984 said:
[link]

Are these screws worse than Jula's Heco you mean? And I shouldn't buy Biltema screws either?

I've used Heco and Biltema's C4 outdoor screws a lot for studs/construction indoors/outdoors (mostly 5-6x90-100) and I think they're equivalent, good and significantly cheaper than, for example, Esseve.
I've switched more to Biltema as they are the cheapest (good offer on 4-pack). Biltema also has some reverse "milling threads" that I don't really know what they're good for? Different screw manufacturers have different arguments for these...

The difference between BT/Heco and, for example http://www.lapplandimporten.eu/Skruv...eskruvar-torx/ is that the latter are untested, something that doesn't compensate for the small price difference for me.

edit: The BT screw in question: http://www.biltema.se/sv/Bygg/Faste...-galvaniserat/Traskruv-utomhus-100-st-870250/

Anna1984 · 20 Aug 2013 at 11:51 AM

nanowire said:
I have used Hecos and Biltemas C4 outdoor screws a lot for studs/constructions indoors/outdoors (mostly 5-6x90-100) and I think they are equivalent, good and significantly cheaper than, for example, esseve. I have switched more to Biltemas since they are the cheapest (good offer on 4-pack). Biltemas also has some reverse "milling threads" which I don't really know what they are good for? Different screw manufacturers have different arguments for these...

The difference BT/Heco compared to, for example, [link] is that the latter are untested, something that does not outweigh the small price difference for me.

edit: The BT screw referred to: [link]

I do think Biltemas looks like a good option, and the discount on 4-pack is great.

Unfortunately, I can't buy an unlimited amount of screws, so which dimensions do you think I should focus on?
Which ones will be most used?
I'm going to furnish an entire upper floor with everything that entails.

Forbo · 20 Aug 2013 at 12:42 PM

TS: Buy Biltema's 5x90 screws for indoor use, they have milling threads and Torx drive, are strong enough, and have a good price. Screws thicker than 5mm tend to split the end grain of the studs in my opinion. Also, apply a small dab of regular wood glue where you attach the studs so they slide in well and hold firmly without creaking.

For outdoor use, I think Heco's Protect4 screws are the best value in terms of quality and price. Essve makes good stuff, but not good enough to justify the price.

nanowire · 20 Aug 2013 at 3:22 PM

Forbo said:
Outdoors, I think Hecos Protect4 are by far the most cost-effective screws in terms of quality and price, in my opinion. Essve makes good stuff, but not good enough to justify the price.

Any specific reason why you think Hecos Protect4 is better than Biltema's equivalent? Curious since I've used both, especially Heco, and they seem comparable to me.

Eddi Thomason · 20 Aug 2013 at 8:21 PM

Usually advocate for quality screws, especially outdoors and in thinner dimensions (I also include anchor screws, drywall screws, and the like). For thicker screws for internal frameworks, I think, for example, Biltema's work excellently! I recently built heavy-duty shelves with Biltema's 6x80 and it holds as firm as a rock and more. All screwed in with a Makita impact driver, not a gentle machine on bad screws! No mishaps. Would never have used cheap decking screws for structural timber, often soft and weak.

JOW · 20 Aug 2013 at 9:51 PM

Depends on what you're building.
If you're putting up a wall with plywood/OSB/chipboard and gypsum, the screw doesn't have to be big at all to keep the studs in place since the wood fiberboard with all the screws locks the studs in place.

If you're going to make something load-bearing, you'll need proper screws though...

Eddi Thomason · 20 Aug 2013 at 11:13 PM

Hello! I am a GDSare... Here we overdimension so that it's wonderful!!

KnockOnWood · 21 Aug 2013 at 1:12 AM

Nik206 said:
Hello! I am a GDSare... Here we oversize things like crazy!!

Do we? How do you mean?

Eddi Thomason · 21 Aug 2013 at 9:22 AM

KnockOnWood said:
Do we? How do you mean?

98% of all GDSers do.
http://bit.ly/12oag7r

Gabbe1 · 21 Aug 2013 at 10:34 AM

Nik206 said:
Everything screwed with Makita impact driver, not a gentle machine against bad screws! No mishaps.

Ok, now it's a bit OT, but it is true that one reason for using impact drivers is that they are gentler on bits and screws.

For example, stainless decking screws can be very hard to drive with a regular screwdriver because they are so soft/weak, but with an impact driver, it usually goes without any problems.

Eddi Thomason · 21 Aug 2013 at 11:12 AM

Gabbe1 said:
Ok, now it's a little off-topic, but it's true that one reason for using an impact driver is that it's gentler on bits and screws.

For example, stainless deck screws can be very difficult to drive with a regular screwdriver because they are so soft/flimsy, but with an impact driver, it usually goes without any problem.

My impression is quite the opposite, gentle on the wrist and screw head.
But bits (cheap as well as branded, but not fine-wera) and cheap screws have broken plenty over the years! They just snap off completely...

Forbo · 21 Aug 2013 at 2:09 PM

They cost almost the same per screw to the penny. The finish on Heco's surface treatment feels more even, and on slightly longer screws, I think Biltema's can be slightly skewed compared to Heco's... but on the other hand, Biltema's milling threads provide a somewhat finer result. It's really a toss-up... I suppose I might as well buy either one

nanowire · 21 Aug 2013 at 2:38 PM

Forbo said:
They cost almost the same per screw. The finish on Heco's coating feels more even and on slightly longer screws I find Biltema's can be slightly skewed compared to Heco's... but on the other hand, Biltema's cutting threads give a slightly better result. It's really a toss-up... I buy either one or the other I guess

I agree with everything above except for cost, e.g.: [TABLE="width: 413"] [TR] [TD][/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD]quantity [/TD] [TD]price [/TD] [TD]Per item [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]BT [/TD] [TD]5*100 [/TD] [TD="align: right"]400 [/TD] [TD="align: right"]269 [/TD] [TD]0.67 kr [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Heco [/TD] [TD]5*100 [/TD] [TD="align: right"]500 [/TD] [TD="align: right"]399 [/TD] [TD]0.80 kr [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]BT [/TD] [TD]6*100 [/TD] [TD="align: right"]400 [/TD] [TD="align: right"]339 [/TD] [TD]0.85 kr [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Heco [/TD] [TD]6*100 [/TD] [TD="align: right"]5 [/TD] [TD="align: right"]23 [/TD] [TD]4.60 kr [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]BT [/TD] [TD]6*120 [/TD] [TD="align: right"]400 [/TD] [TD="align: right"]429 [/TD] [TD]1.07 kr [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Heco [/TD] [TD]6*120 [/TD] [TD="align: right"]300 [/TD] [TD="align: right"]399 [/TD] [TD]1.33 kr [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]ESSVE Corrseal (Beijer)[/TD] [TD]6*120[/TD] [TD="align: right"]100[/TD] [TD="align: right"]299[/TD] [TD]2.99 Kr[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE]