Screw Head Bits

[Scooby074]

I'm getting a kick out of this. Some how I've found DeckMates that are Torx and Spax that are square drive while others here are finding different. I wonder if it's a regional thing?

Maybe the Torx DeckMates are new stock? Ive seen Spax in both Torx and Pozidriv. So the Spax were worth the money in your opinion? Was there less splitting using them? I might start using them if their worth it.The place where i saw them forsale has stopped selling the exterior screws ( supposedly due to cost), and now only sells interior and eavesdrop screws so id have to go on the hunt to find them.

Edit: Looks like Lee Valley is the only retailer for Spax in Canada and they dont sell exterior screws. There is nothing worse then when a retailer has a product exclusively (for a whole Country) and doesnt carry the entire line. I wrote them a email asking them to start carrying exterior screws again. (they previously carried stainless if i remember right, but id be happy with galvanized) Maybe they'll add it to the new catalog

 

[SteelDust]

Maybe the Torx DeckMates are new stock? Ive seen Spax in both Torx and Pozidriv. So the Spax were worth the money in your opinion? Was there less splitting using them? I might start using them if their worth it.The place where i saw them forsale has stopped selling the exterior screws ( supposedly due to cost), and now only sells interior and eavesdrop screws so id have to go on the hunt to find them.

Edit: Looks like Lee Valley is the only retailer for Spax in Canada and they dont sell exterior screws. There is nothing worse then when a retailer has a product exclusively (for a whole Country) and doesnt carry the entire line. I wrote them a email asking them to start carrying exterior screws again. (they previously carried stainless if i remember right, but id be happy with galvanized) Maybe they'll add it to the new catalog

I wanted to use stainless as all of the trim and siding was cedar. I've always been told and have seen that even the best galvanized fasteners will eventually stain cedar. The Spax were available at Home Depot and were actually the cheapest stainless screw that I could find locally.

I did have a little bit of splitting, but every time that it happened I had said to myself, "I bet this one is going to split" Operator error in most cases, too close to the edge and anything will split.

 

[dirtydan]

I have done a little woodworking over the years and in my opinion torx are the best. GRK brand screws I have found to be the best quality that I have come across though I don't always buy them myself because they are more spendy and a top quality screw is not always needed. I have also found that an impact driver is much more forgiving and can even put phillips screws into oak without stripping most of the time where a regular drill driver won't.
Dan

 

[J_J]

I am sure that most of you guys know this, but I thought I would mention it again. A bar of soap helps a great deal when screwing into hardwood. Slides right in without that squeal and you are hoping the head of the screw does not pop off.

 

[Mickey_Fx]

Don't think we're heard back from the original poster and if the question asked is being addressed.

I like torx. Back when I was a working man, the std drive for fasteners at work (HP) was Posi-drive. Looks a lot like a phillips but drivers are not cross compatable. Can use a phillips driver on a posi-drive fastener with acceptable results but not vise-versa. Along sim lines, one need to pay attention between Torx and spline drives. These 2 can be mis-identified if not looked at closely.

 

[J_J]

Don't think we're heard back from the original poster and if the question asked is being addressed.

I like torx. Back when I was a working man, the std drive for fasteners at work (HP) was Posi-drive. Looks a lot like a phillips but drivers are not cross compatable. Can use a phillips driver on a posi-drive fastener with acceptable results but not vise-versa. Along sim lines, one need to pay attention between Torx and spline drives. These 2 can be mis-identified if not looked at closely.

Can you post a picture of both and explain the difference?

 

[J_J]

Splined bits have 12 sides verses 6 for Torx.

Spline drive, is a fastener specification.

A spline drive bit or socket has 12 teeth. Spline drives are sized via numbers. #5 is one common size. It is different from the 12-toothed triple square and double hex drivers

The primary advantage spline drive and other special fasteners (such as TORX) have over older standards, such as the common Phillips head (and its sibling Pozidriv), is that it resists cam-out, and is thus used in higher-torque applications. Incidentally, the spline drive is also often used in tamper-proof lug nuts on cars.

 

[QRTRHRS]

I tend to buy most of my screws locally rather than mail order because it tends to be convenient while purchasing other materials. My first choice, especially after I purchased a an impact driver is torx. Square and (ugh) Phillips follow.

My preferred place to shop is a bit out of the way so often as not I end up at Lowe's and the closest HD is 80 miles away (perhaps that is a good thing?). I forget which brand Lowe's carry but there are few choices in the Torx style at least the last time I bought some.

No matter the screw head type, I pre drill alot when using the longer length screws. I always predrill the ends of PT boards or existing PT material that has had time to harden.

 

[QRTRHRS]

I am sure that most of you guys know this, but I thought I would mention it again. A bar of soap helps a great deal when screwing into hardwood. Slides right in without that squeal and you are hoping the head of the screw does not pop off.

As does candle wax. Candle wax is also good for drilling metal by the way. It will keep your bit sharper longer. Take the time to coat the bit for each hole.

 

[E_Sanborn]

Robertson and Torx drives both hold well and will handle high radial loads. For me, there're really the only ones to use if you're going to be handling large numbers of fasteners or large fastening loads.

Availability of these once rare (in US) drives is now much better for these drives with the proliferation of high performance 3/8-1/2" cordless drivers and especially impact drivers. Some availability in big box stores, but much better online.

The rest suck with varying levels of slippage expected, and high push rates required. Bit manufacturers also vary greatly in quality and even over time, depending on the OEM. There is always a difficult balance to the hardness vs toughness of the finished product, so you can choose between bits that wear and deform or those that appear unmarked with heavy use, but break suddenly under extreme loads.

Question might be better answered with the application in question, maybe.