Screwing thin wood (8mm)

[Ringus]

Hi,

I know this is basic , but I have always used screws with a greater depth and haven't worried about it.

I am using teak (repurposing an old teak garden table, into a duckboard) and I want to screw from 12.5mm into 8mm slats. What kind of screw should I be using to give the most strength?

Many thanks

 

[Jacob]

I'd use brass screws through the slats into the 12.5mm. Don't think you could do it the other way.

 

[Ringus]

That's what I was thinking but I want the slats to be smooth , so its a no go.

 

[minilathe22]

Probably worth considering many short screws, and perhaps some adhesive at the same time, short screws are easy to pull out under pressure.

 

[Rorschach]

Take longer screws and grind off the points so you get more "full thread" engagement. Pilot the hole of course.

 

[Spectric]

I would question whether there is enough meat on the 8mm slats to take a screw, much better going the other direction. Have you thought of brads through the 8 into the 12, they have T heads and leave very small marks.