S/S C/S Hex (or Torx) Wood Screws

[andrewm]

I am after some #6 stainless steel countersunk (or possibly raised head) wood screws with either a Hex or Torx drive (or at a push square drive) but cannot find them anywhere. Most stainless steel screws seem to be Pozidrive.

Can anyone suggest a source, or explain why they may not be available.

For anyone interested they are to screw electrical blanking plates onto a wood floor to cover access holes for cables.

Andrew

 

[Jake]

I can't recall having seen any, but if you don't have any luck an alternative would to use machine screws which are much more widely available in those patterns, and a threaded insert or t-nut in the wood (if you can find the right sizes - which again might be a struggle. M6 are commonly available, but these would be M4 or, worse, M3.5 or something).

Slotted not acceptable, I assume?

 

[HandyTim]

Spax sell 3.5mm x30or35or40mm torx head s/s a2 screws. They are in the spax brochure pdf page 17 on www.spax.com. You'll have to google for uk stockists.

Good luck!

 

[andrewm]

Spax sell 3.5mm x30or35or40mm torx head s/s a2 screws. They are in the spax brochure pdf page 17 on www.spax.com. You'll have to google for uk stockists.

Good luck!

Ahh. Thanks. Good to know that they are available. Axminster sell Spax but only do Torx Head in the non stainless steel version and Stainless Steel in the Pozidrive version. I shall have a hunt around though. If I can't find any I will see if my friendly local builders merchant can order them for me.

Andrew

 

[Scrums]

How many are you after ? - I've got some kicking around that I'll never use....yours for the postage.

Chris.

 

[andrewm]

How many are you after ? - I've got some kicking around that I'll never use....yours for the postage.

Chris.

Top man. I need 28. Two each at each end of wiring for 7.1 [1] surround sound. Probably something like the 3.5mm (which is the standard for electrical fixings) by 25/30mm. If you have some that would be great but if not I will ask my local supplier.

Cheers,

Andrew

[1] Before anyone points it out I know 7.1 surround has eight speakers but one is right next to the amp so has no underfloor conduit.

 

[Jake]

You might want to check first that the head on a 3.5mm Spax (I assume they are the same in ss as in standard) is near enough to the same shape, size and profile as the head on the 3.5mm machine screw that comes with the fittings - so it doesn't protrude etc.

I've probably got some at home if someone else doesn't beat me to it. Edit - no, I don't, I only have pozi heads.

 

[andrewm]

You might want to check first that the head on a 3.5mm Spax (I assume they are the same in ss as in standard) is near enough to the same shape, size and profile as the head on the 3.5mm machine screw that comes with the fittings - so it doesn't protrude etc.

I've probably got some at home if someone else doesn't beat me to it. Edit - no, I don't, I only have pozi heads.

I have finally got around to checking. Assuming that the Spax screws are the same size as any other 3.5mm S/S woodscrew then the heads are the same size but flat on the top rather than raised. So, they do protrude a little but I plan to further countersink the plate.

I did look at the possibility of using wood inserts and machine screws as someone suggested but the plates are recessed into the floor so the inserts would have to be very precisely placed otherwise the screws won't fit with the plate in place.

Andrew

 

[BradNaylor]

'Assy' screws from Winzer Wurth are exactly what you're looking for.

http://www.winzerwurth.co.uk/Resources/Catalogue/H04/Wood_Screws/H04 0050.pdf

I don't know if they've got a trade counter near you but I stock them in most sizes. If you don't get fixed up with Chris give me a PM.

Cheers
Dan

 

[Jake]

The ones on that page at least aren't SS, though, Dan.

What I was thinking about re the Spaxes in particular is the ribs under the head, which do the self-countersinking bit. On a metal plate, they would hold the head up off the countersunk recess. I guess that is nothing a bit of (fiddly) filing wouldn't sort if it is a bother.

I had a look for M3.5 inserts and I couldn't find anything closer than M4, so I don't think that's a runner - although I don't know if the head size would differ. I don't think placing the inserts would be a problem in practice, drill the hole for the screw in the right place, and insert location follows pretty automatically.

Is the floor softwood? In hardwood you could probably get away with tapping the wood itself for a machine screw - these things aren't going to be under much stress.

 

[Racers]

Hi, Jake

M3.5 is the same as 4 BA if that helps on the insert front.

Pete

 

[Jake]

Thanks Pete - I don't know whether it does, but it does clear up the little mystery (to me) of why the hell they are M3.5!

 

[andrewm]

Is the floor softwood? In hardwood you could probably get away with tapping the wood itself for a machine screw - these things aren't going to be under much stress.

Now that's and interesting thought. The floor is 20mm solid walnut. And, I am sure that I have seen hex head machine screws.

Andrew

 

[Jake]

That prompted me to think that there must be anti-tamper screws for electrical sockets around, which took me around in a circle

 

[Rich]

Hi Jake, we use those anti tamper screws for electrical sockets etc at the hospital where I work, the csk head is normal but there are 2 little holes in the head and we use a bit with 2 small prongs that fit into the holes to use the screws, we use this type of screw all over the hospital (psychiatric), for the self tappers we use RS, and the electricians use newey and eyre,
regards, Rich.