Review: Decking Screws

[beech1948]

Well a bit tongue in cheek but also with a sense of annoyance at certain suppliers here is a review of some decking screws.

I recently built a deck which was 42ft x 12ft or 18ft at widest point. I used Screwfix for most of the screws and later in the build I used some from B&Q and some SPAX screws from my local shop. So a chance to record the useability or not of three brands.

1. Screwfix Decking screws:
Used 2000 of these

Green coloured with some kind of protective coat. Head looks like a Pozidrive 2 but is'nt quite. A PZ2 bit cams out very easily. Screwfix claim its a Prodrive 2 so I bought some Prodrive 2 bits from them. These were worse than the PZ2s and cammed out very easily. Screwfix stumped when asked to explain.

The cam out problems were partially solved by being very very very very careful to line up my cordless drill so that screw and drill and hole direction were all aligned very closely. BUT still getting 10 out of 20 that cam out to soon. Heads of screws were quite frequently destroyed by this so 3 or 4 per 20 were withdrawn and thrown away.

These screws were very hard and very brittle. Heads would easily break off. Heads were frequently made very worn by the drill bit.

The screws were not straight. Often had a bow in them which produced a 3-4 mm circle at the head/bit interface. If I leant too hard on them then this bow would become a large banana shaped curve and the screw was withdrawn and thrown away. Again 3-4 out of 20.

Holding power was great. Getting the screws into the wood was poor. I tried both cordless ( 2x makita) and mains powered ( Bosch ) and several different torque settings.

Verdict: Screwfix deck screws are very poor, with low quality control and porr repeatability. Generally so bad I would say they were rubbish.

2) B&Q.
Used 300.

Straight forward does what it says on the tin. Well made. Well protected by grey covering. Straight. Easy to drive in and out. Everything the Screwfix ones wern't

Good screws. Would buy again although a bit pricy.

3) SPAX. .
Used 250.

Wonderful. Straight forward does what it says on the tin. Well made. Well protected. Straight. Easy to drive in and out. Everything the Screwfix ones wern't

Good screws. Would buy again although pricy.

Verdict: Stop being a cheapskate and buy more expensive screws and in future ignore Screwfix for anything specialised such as decking screws. Probably continue to use Screwfix for more normal volume things.

As a general note though I have found that my local DIY/hardware store has started to stock boxes of screws ( SPAX ) which are only about 15% to 20% more than the Screwfix prices so guess where I will go in future. They are even open on a Sunday..brilliant.

regards

Alan G. Beech

 

[Paul Chapman]

Interesting review, Alan. Like you, I've found that quite a lot of screws these days that are supposed to be PZ2 don't fit PZ2 bits properly - very annoying :evil:

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[wrightclan]

Oddly enough, I've found Screwfix screws to generally fit PZ2 bits much better than B&Q screws. Haven't tried the decking screws, so they may be another story. Of course Spax are excellent but pricey.

I find bits to be more of an issue than screws. Cheap bits are useless. Buy a decent bit such as DeWalt or Wiha.

Brad

 

[beech1948]

Brad,
I only use Wiha bits

 

[PowerTool]

I've used loads of the screwfix decking screws,and haven't had more than 1 or 2% cam-out.
I always use DeWalt bits,and don't really have any problems.


Andrew

 

[Anonymous]

I'm with beech and wright on this one; I use wihaa bits and seldom get cam out with any screws :shock: Not that I use driver that often but when I do....wuhaa does what it says on the tin (or on the bit :lol: :lol: ) Wouldnt use anything else now.
chees Jonathan

 

[ike]

In particular I've found Screwfix Turbogold screws too brittle. OK going in but snap all too easily with reverse torque. I think the aggressive thread profile results in a weak root diameter.

The Gold screws are a good compromise.

 

[mel]

SPAX screws are excellent , a tad pricey thou they are , they are always a part of my toolbox at work. {firm pay for them anyway}
another option is reisser , not as good as spax , but nonetheless , still very good quality .
for patio decking i fix with stainless steel . you can forget these sheradized things , its just a fad and i do wonder if they will last
on a point about screws and screwdrivers. has anybody tried an impact screwdriver ???
this will help prevent "cam out " ive had two of the new impact screwdrivers , the first being a cheapie from b+q . which has only ever been used for dry-lining , cost £40 , on the clearout stand
the other an 18v dewalt which i would say gets used all day, everyday , when im at work , only problem is i cant seem to find bits which are good enough , as they shatter , ive had some success with bosch bits
just my two pennoth
regards
mel

 

[Colin C]

only problem is i cant seem to find bits which are good enough , as they shatter , ive had some success with bosch bits
just my two pennoth
regards
mel

Hi Mel,

Which bits do you get as I have been told that you should not get the hardened bit is like you have found, they shatter.

I got one of the B&Q ones (impact driver, very good for the price but for the 3 hour charge ), now have a 14v makita, very happy camper

Sorry from the hijack

 

[Barry Burgess]

I have the DW impact driver after comments on the BB - You are in a different world to those who use a drill as a driver. Most scews work - very few snap - Pozi scew heads are not a problem either. - decking is a doddle.
Barry
ps just the right tool for the job

 

[mel]

colin c
pm sent
regs
mel