lighthearted Posted March 7, 2017 Report Share Posted March 7, 2017 Curious who uses drywall screws when building furniture. I watch videos, read articles and plans and they specify certain types of screws, certainly not drywall screws. I know drywall screws aren't always the best in certain applications as they can shear in half, but with furniture I don't see the the disadvantage. What am I missing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat60 Posted March 7, 2017 Report Share Posted March 7, 2017 I have used them on plywood but not hardwood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Llama Posted March 7, 2017 Popular Post Report Share Posted March 7, 2017 Drywall screws are made for drywall. If you must use screws in furniture, use Spax or another brand that is less resistant to breaking. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Coop Posted March 7, 2017 Popular Post Report Share Posted March 7, 2017 I agree with @Llama in both cases and also wonder when you would use them in furniture making? To me they have this certain stigma (aside from hanging Sheetrock), kind of like French kissing your grandma or asking for ketchup at Mortons! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat60 Posted March 7, 2017 Report Share Posted March 7, 2017 I new that was coming . LOL They are plenty strong for plywood. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post ..Kev Posted March 7, 2017 Popular Post Report Share Posted March 7, 2017 I'll use them on shop furniture or jigs but, that's about it. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lighthearted Posted March 7, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2017 7 minutes ago, K Cooper said: I agree with @Llama in both cases and also wonder when you would use them in furniture making? To me they have this certain stigma (aside from hanging Sheetrock), kind of like French kissing your grandma or asking for ketchup at Mortons! So your saying aesthetically you don't approve? You don't usually see exposed screws and I screws probably would not be used without glue in most cases. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post bleedinblue Posted March 7, 2017 Popular Post Report Share Posted March 7, 2017 Generally speaking, screws won't be used (for joinery) at all in most furniture projects built by forum members here. For the past couple of years the only screws I have really used in furniture have been to attach table top fasteners. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lighthearted Posted March 7, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2017 6 minutes ago, bleedinblue said: Generally speaking, screws won't be used at all in most furniture projects built by forum members here. I don't use a lot of screws either, but there are plenty of plans and magazine articles that include the use of screws in projects. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jfitz Posted March 7, 2017 Report Share Posted March 7, 2017 I used to use drywall screws for jigs, etc. Got tired of them snapping, or stripping...so I started using Highpoint bits. They're square drive - much better grip. I get them at Woodcraft. They have the sampler kit on clearance sale : https://www.woodcraft.com/products/highpoint-xt-square-drive-screw-sampler 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom King Posted March 7, 2017 Report Share Posted March 7, 2017 I don't even use them for drywall, which I try to avoid at all costs. If I use power driven screws, I'm using some type of "star drive" screw-actually TORX. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted March 7, 2017 Report Share Posted March 7, 2017 19 minutes ago, lighthearted said: So your saying aesthetically you don't approve? You don't usually see exposed screws and I screws probably would not be used without glue in most cases. I just prefer to use the Grip Rite #8 type screw with the star drive when an application calls for a counter sunk screw. I've never had one of these snap on me. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Janello Posted March 7, 2017 Popular Post Report Share Posted March 7, 2017 Are you seeking advise to use unsightly dirty cheaply made rusty screws that snap and strip in a fine furniture build? Go for it. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat60 Posted March 7, 2017 Report Share Posted March 7, 2017 Im not myself. I have used them only in cabinet boxes to hold things until the glue drys. Not to install a table top or anything hardwood. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post drzaius Posted March 7, 2017 Popular Post Report Share Posted March 7, 2017 I don't see the point of using them even on jigs & shop stuff. Good square drive or Torx screws are so cheap that they're not even a factor in a build so why use drywall screws at all. They break & cam out so much more. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted March 7, 2017 Report Share Posted March 7, 2017 OP, did your avitar change during this conversation? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prov163 Posted March 7, 2017 Report Share Posted March 7, 2017 When I use screws they are in things like shop made buttons holding in a removable back or piece of glass in a door. For those applications I use brass screws. I think they look more fitting for furniture. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BonPacific Posted March 7, 2017 Report Share Posted March 7, 2017 I've nearly banished the scourge of Phillips from my shop, so drywall screws have no place there. Even before I banned Phillips, I didn't ever have a reason to use drywall screws. Need to make a strong joint and don't care if its ugly? Use regular screws rather than brittle pot metal drywall screws. Need to stick two things together but don't really care about strength? Oh, hello brad nailer. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post bgreenb Posted March 7, 2017 Popular Post Report Share Posted March 7, 2017 Congrats. You killed @Eric.. The fact that he hasn't replied to this yet means his head exploded when he read the thread title. Drywall screws in fine furniture. SMH. My only question is...why? It's not like screws are expensive. And if you're building fine furniture you shouldn't be using many screws anyway. Even if they're hidden and even if there were no structural problem, I would be embarrassed to put drywall screws in one of my projects. Different strokes I guess. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee-dub Posted March 7, 2017 Report Share Posted March 7, 2017 11 hours ago, lighthearted said: Curious who uses drywall screws when building furniture. I watch videos, read articles and plans and they specify certain types of screws, certainly not drywall screws. I know drywall screws aren't always the best in certain applications as they can shear in half, but with furniture I don't see the the disadvantage. What am I missing? They're brittle. Plus I use screws so little that the cost difference between quality screws and screws made for drywall isn't enough for me to worry about. I do have a small divided box with some random lengths of drywall screws that I keep around for unimportant tasks (and drywall repair) but, they don't go in my furniture. Likewise if I am making a jig for a power tool the last screw I reach for is one that could fail on me no matter how remote the chance. The Re-Store around me is rife with quality screws. I have boxes of stainless trim head square drive screws that should last me the rest of my life. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Eric. Posted March 7, 2017 Popular Post Report Share Posted March 7, 2017 What are these "screws" you speak of? That's a weird word if you look at it long enough. Screws. Screws. Scrrrrrewwwws. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Immortan D Posted March 7, 2017 Report Share Posted March 7, 2017 When I use screws on furniture, as in removable parts or hardware installation, I always drive them by hand. I gave up on using a power driver about a year ago. If I can't drive the screw by hand with a regular screwdriver right to the end, means I've used the wrong bit for pre-drilling or the wrong countersink bit. I have a selection of slotted, Phillips and square head screws. I've never used drywall screws for anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted March 7, 2017 Report Share Posted March 7, 2017 Don't even want rust on shop furniture, so no. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lighthearted Posted March 7, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2017 10 hours ago, Janello said: Are you seeking advise to use unsightly dirty cheaply made rusty screws that snap and strip in a fine furniture build? Go for it. No, I am asking what people use and why.... 8 minutes ago, Immortan D said: When I use screws on furniture, as in removable parts or hardware installation, I always drive them by hand. I gave up on using a power driver about a year ago. If I can't drive the screw by hand with a regular screwdriver right to the end, means I've used the wrong bit for pre-drilling or the wrong countersink bit. I have a selection of slotted, Phillips and square head screws. I've never used drywall screws for anything. thanks--thats a helpful answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CandorLush Posted March 7, 2017 Report Share Posted March 7, 2017 34 minutes ago, Eric. said: What are these "screws" you speak of? That's a weird word if you look at it long enough. Screws. Screws. Scrrrrrewwwws. They are used in red oak project that get slathered in Polyshades. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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