Which screws do you use...?

[Dustydazzler]

For ages I have used 1.5 inch screws with red plugs to pretty much fix anything and everything to masonry...
but today used 1 inch screws with did exactly the same job...

any other combinations ?

anyone use brown plugs ?

 

[Baddegg]

Never use brown always red with 40-45 mm screws....been using wall dogs recently since the 18th when installing metal retaining clips in trunking

 

[telectrix]

if fixing directly to brick, (no plaster) then 1" screws will suffice in most cases. generally though, i use 1 1/2" x 8's. like using the square drive (robertson) heads, just to pee off the next bloke.

 

[Dustydazzler]

Ah , I have seen Robertson square drive on sale but never used them.
they are very common in America and Canada...
I tend to just grab what ever pozi screws are on offer at screwfix

 

[DefyG]

Horses for Courses!
Depends what is being fixed but 30-40mm with red plugs covers the majority.

 

[Lister1987]

if fixing directly to brick, (no plaster) then 1" screws will suffice in most cases. generally though, i use 1 1/2" x 8's. like using the square drive (robertson) heads, just to pee off the next bloke.

I do wonder why Robbins aren't used more over here, afaik they don't cam out as much and get chewed up

 

[telectrix]

very common in Ireland, I believe.

 

[ChrisElectrical88]

1” 1/2 8s with a red plug.
Will use a 10 if It’s heavy

 

[Andy78]

I use whatever is needed. I generally carry no. 8 screws from half inch to three inch and a few long no. 10s

 

[Pennywise]

Orbix screws with fisher red raw plugs ?

 

[Dustydazzler]

These were what I grabbed and using for the time being

https://www.NoLinkingToThis/p/golds...k-multipurpose-screws-4-x-25mm-200-pack/17430

 

[SparkySy]

I do like and use orbix screws but they are very dear compared to standard bzp screws!

 

[nicebutdim]

...like using the square drive (robertson) heads, just to pee off the next bloke.

While they're extensively used by electricians in NI, it amazes me that other trades didn't follow their lead - unlike Pozi or Phillips, there's little to no chance of camming out of a square head.

 

[littlespark]

I'm with the "whatevers on offer at the time" camp here. Normally 1 1/2 x 8 with red plugs.
Bought mulitpacks from screwfix in the past and only ever used maybe 3 sizes out of the whole case.... or they dont have the perfect size.

Have used those square hole things in the past... got a set of drivers somewhere... and robbed a joiner of a box of Tec woodscrews... (6 pointed star)

As an apprentice, it was only ever "black Japan" screws. Round headed slotted, jet black screws.

 

[Pete999]

Never use brown always red with 40-45 mm screws....been using wall dogs recently since the 18th when installing metal retaining clips in trunking

I use the screws and Plugs to suit the situation I'm faced with.

 

[Baddegg]

Always use the robertsons when using pocket hole joints.......strange how they’ve not gained popularity with in other industries cos as others have said they work brilliantly......and yep @telectrix i can imagine for the next poor sod without a bit they’d be cursing ?

 

[Pennywise]

I do like and use orbix screws but they are very dear compared to standard bzp screws!

Not when your not paying for them ?
We use Hilti HUS fixings as well which are eye watering price wise too ?

 

[davesparks]

I just get the tubs of 400ish 1 1/2" x 8 screws with red plugs from the wholesalers.

 

[EbolaSideRoom]

A builder friend introduced me to screwshop.co.uk a couple of years ago; I haven’t bought CSK wood screws or red plugs anywhere else since. I do like the Orbix screws though. The CEF web site had some good prices on tubs of them recently.

 

[telectrix]

thing is.... slotted, square, pozi, philips, 1 size hammer fits all.

 

[Dustydazzler]

I just get the tubs of 400ish 1 1/2" x 8 screws with red plugs from the wholesalers.

yes I have one of the old tower brand tubs which Is still about half full.
good value for money , think I paid about a fiver for it

 

[Risteard]

if fixing directly to brick, (no plaster) then 1" screws will suffice in most cases. generally though, i use 1 1/2" x 8's. like using the square drive (robertson) heads, just to pee off the next bloke.

They're universally used here - usually referred to as square heads or Scrulox (but they're also known as Robertson).

 

[nicebutdim]

They're universally used here - usually referred to as square heads or Scrulox (but they're also known as Robertson).

I first stumbled across square heads as a kid, when poking about electrical stuff, and for years they've been my go to screws for every application. Torx are obviously decent a decent system, but the bits aren't nearly as robust as square drive. Square heads will stop power tools in their tracks without damage to either fastener or bit.

Considering how backwards NI can be as a country, I'll give full credit to our electrical industry for its use of square drive screws and also for using conduit in all solid walls.

 

[telectrix]

one thing i like about them is can get pan head rather than c/sunk. better for fixing boxes etc.

 

[Pete999]

For ages I have used 1.5 inch screws with red plugs to pretty much fix anything and everything to masonry...
but today used 1 inch screws with did exactly the same job...

any other combinations ?

anyone use brown plugs ?

What would you use if you didn't have any plugs, of any sort? or screws that don't require a plug? or a fixing that is to big for any screw or bolt.

 

[telectrix]

What would you use if you didn't have any plugs, of any sort? or screws that don't require a plug? or a fixing that is to big for any screw or bolt.

use nails. 3 words.

 

[Baddegg]

What would you use if you didn't have any plugs, of any sort? or screws that don't require a plug? or a fixing that is to big for any screw or bolt.

Trim up the broom handle Pete or something like it, bang that in the hole that’ll make a lovely fixing...

 

[Dustydazzler]

Wooden dowel and cut nail

 

[littlespark]

So you’ve got a brick wall.... a drill to make a hole, a box of screws and your tools.... And in all that, you don’t have one loose rawl plug?

Got any silicone?

 

[telectrix]

So you’ve got a brick wall.... a drill to make a hole, a box of screws and your tools.... And in all that, you don’t have one loose rawl plug?

Got any silicone?

loose rawlplugs are no good. they need to be tight.

 

[Pete999]

loose rawlplugs are no good. they need to be tight.

You're on form today Tel

 

[DPG]

If you fit back boxes using a long length of M8 threaded rod right through the wall with a washer and a nut on both ends they never fall out.

 

[telectrix]

If you fit back boxes using a long length of M8 threaded rod right through the wall with a washer and a nut on both ends they never fall out.

only if you use nylock nuts. otherwise vibration over time could loosen them. like a tart's knickers.

 

[littlespark]

Perfect when you’re working on a party wall, and next door wants a coat hook in roughly the same place.

 

[Lister1987]

if fixing directly to brick, (no plaster) then 1" screws will suffice in most cases. generally though, i use 1 1/2" x 8's. like using the square drive (robertson) heads, just to pee off the next bloke.

They're universally used here - usually referred to as square heads or Scrulox (but they're also known as Robertson).

Not a bad way to secure (no pun intended) repeat custom ? Bet that's why you do it @telectrix eh?

 

[Risteard]

Not a bad way to secure (no pun intended) repeat custom ? Bet that's why you do it @telectrix eh?

Unfortunately here it doesn't guarantee repeat custom as every spark uses them. A pozidrive screw might ensure that they have to come back to you with your weird security screw though!

 

[Micktw68]

1-1/2 8s or 10s with Tower red plugs (loose boxed can’t stand plugs on a strip)