Screws

[Garno]

Is it worth buying the more expensive screws?
I have been looking to buy about 1000 4x40mm (5 x one and a half) and have seen the prices go from just over £12 upto just under £35.

At this moment in time I am leaning (a lot) towards the lower priced ones, as I can't for the life of me see why folk go for the dearer ones.

 

[Racers]

Better made, easer to use, less chance of striping the heads/snapping.
I have some cheap ones and some Spax ones, the cheap ones don't get used any more.

Pete

 

[chiokli]

I would say it depends on application. When I'm building something large where pilot holes and countersinking are a faff, screws from Spax or Woodspur easily find their way through with the cutting tip and the self countersinking head brings them flush quickly. I find that time saving of not having to clamp things securely, drilling pilot hole, clearance hole and countersink is worth the extra money. Similar to laying decking; decking screws are perfect time savers.

If I am going through all the correct steps of drilling beforehand, I've found standard twinthread screws to be just fine. I'm more likely to choose the wrong length or pick up the Phillips driver instead of the pozi.

 

[mbartlett99]

Cheap ones are fantastic right up until the heads snap/strip then £20 extra seems like a bargain.

Guess if you're walloping through pine 2x4s cheap will do. I've given up the chase and just use spax torx head now.

 

[Mark A]

It depends on what you need them for. I find the Torxfast / Forgefast screws from Toolstation to be excellent value. I've used thousands and thousands whilst renovating a house and not a single screw has snapped so far. They will rust outside, however.

 

[Rorschach]

As others have said, all depends on the job at hand. I have some really crappy screws in the workshop but there are times where it's all you need.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

It depends on what you need them for. I find the Torxfast / Forgefast screws from Toolstation to be excellent value. I've used thousands and thousands whilst renovating a house and not a single screw has snapped so far. They will rust outside, however.

Agree 100% and no cam out either.

OWK ccasion5:

 

[Beau]

As said it depends on the job but never had any problems with the basic quicksilver ones from Screwfix. Same for Toolstations equivalent but have had the heads break on some skinny gold screws. The downside to the basics is the ease of them going in and the greater risk of them splitting the wood but perfect for more basic joinery or if you pilot. Yes Spax are the dogs danglies but come at a price. I dont like the Turbo gold for any job where you might need to put the srcews in and out a few times as the self cutting thread is very aggressive and removes wood on each turn and can strip the thread from the wood. Also didn't like the Torxfast as the thread is pretty shallow so does not have that much bight in softer woods but the torx heads are great.