Wood screws: Biltema or branded screws.

[sveaman]

How good or bad are screws from Biltema/Jula compared to professional screws?

I've always bought wood screws (5x90 etc) at Biltema and Jula. Sure, one or two screws per package may have clogged screw heads after galvanizing. But that's okay with me, considering it's half the price.

Buying brand-name screws really doesn't feel necessary. Or should one?

Can one use Jula/Biltema screws and sleep well?

Or should one switch to brand-name screws?

 

[Derbyboy]

I have screwed in thousands of screws from Biltema, mainly their outdoor screws, and I haven't noticed any difference compared to the branded screws I've bought at Beijer or Bauhaus.

However, I might not use Biltema screws for single critical fastenings, but on the other hand, such fastenings require different screws that aren't available at Biltema.

I know I've avoided their rosfria deck screws because they are so weak.

 

[Unikt namn]

I think that brand screws are much easier to screw in, while Biltema requires a little more persuasion.

Whether they hold up worse I haven't been able to evaluate yet.

 

[Namnet]

It's not just about the screw functioning during the seconds when you assemble it! The screw is supposed to hold the wood for many years, not rust or fall apart, which is what "cheap" screws from Feltema often do. Cheap becomes very expensive in the long run.
Then it's also about not supporting a totalitarian regime that doesn't care at all about human rights (if the screw is manufactured in places like China, for example). In that case, I would rather choose a screw made within the EU, or preferably Sweden.

You are being silly to yourself when you think price is the most important factor.

 

[Porsibygg]

Screwed decking unfortunately with Biltema. Noticed that many screws broke, or the heads came off. Bought Heco and attached the boards that had come loose, and it seemed to work. Biltema is cheap, but doesn't have a lot of trust with me.

 

[Harald Blåtumme]

Screwed a ton of decking with Biltema RF, both A2 and A4. I recall A2 felt a bit sturdier, but A4 has also worked fine. Both during assembly and, importantly, during disassembly after a few years for various adjustments and electrical work under the deck. Used both a regular drill and an impact driver, no problems whatsoever.

 

[Robert-san01]

It's not just about the screw working during the seconds you mount it! The screw should hold the wood for many years, not rust or fall apart, which "cheap" screws from Feltema often do. Cheap is very expensive in the long run.
Then it's also about not supporting a totalitarian regime that doesn't care one bit about human rights (if the screw is made in e.g., China). I’d rather choose a screw made within the EU, or preferably Sweden.

You're being foolish with yourself if you think price is the most important thing.

Is there anyone who manufactures screws in Sweden today?

What I gather from the manufacturers is that the major screw manufacturer today is Taiwan. I know that Essve manufactures a lot there.

 

[MrJay]

What I'm getting from the manufacturers is that the big manufacturer of screws today is Taiwan. I know that Essve manufactures a lot there.

I have no insight into where Essve sources their screws, but I know that the hooks they sell are imported directly from China by a Swedish company that sells them to Essve.

 

[Dan1891]

Which brand of screws should one buy then, if they don't want them from China/Taiwan?

 

[Plupp 405730]

Isn't most of it made in China/Taiwan but with varying quality..

 

[Utsliten och utdömd]

Gunnebo still has some of its manufacturing of nails and screws in Gunnebo. But the volume products are also manufactured in Taiwan.

 

[Alfredo]

The screw should secure the timber for many years, not rust or fall apart, which "cheap" screws from Feltema often do.

Do you have several personal experiences with Biltema screws often doing that? How many years does it usually take? What percentage of the screws have rust that affects anything after this time? What percentage of the screws have "fallen apart" after this time? What do you actually mean by "fall apart"? Do you mean that the screw breaks?

 

[a_w]

How good or bad are screws from Biltema/Jula compared to professional screws?

I've always bought wood screws (5x90 etc) at Biltema and Jula. Sure, one or two screws per package have clogged screw slots after galvanization. But that's okay for me. Since it's half the price.

Buying brand-name screws really doesn't feel necessary. Or should I?

Can one use Jula/Biltema and sleep well?

Or should one switch to brand-name screws?

I think Biltema's wood screws work well. However, you should always check the performance declaration if you are going to use them for something more critical. What Biltema's screws have are "fine" certificates, like more expensive screws have, which is a requirement to be used in buildings that need to meet certain standards.

 

[Janus82]

Life is too short to use bad screws!

My experience with Biltema is that it's easy to snap the screw when you want to assemble something. I've never noticed the same problem with Essve. The question is also what happens over time with the screws from Biltema that don't break during assembly? My guess is that another couple will break when the wood moves or is loaded. After a few years, the walls might be held together by the plasterboard instead of the studs... 😋

 

[jehr]

I usually use Essve for "important" things, mostly construction screws, etc. Also A4 screws when I've screwed decking.

For simpler things like screw gluing, I've bought some screws at Byggmax that I think are about the same quality as Biltema.

I think it's foolish to take chances...