screw selection

[Olliew]

Hi guys having an inspection on my work this week. Should I be using round head screws on my back boxes or will I get away with countersunk as I prefer them. What you think?

 

[Deleted member 9648]

For fixing flush boxes?.......anything apart from a nail as long as it's fixed!

 

[jeremy]

I only use csk screws if there is something for them to countersink into, otherwise I use round pan head ones

 

[polo1]

There is a view that c/sunk screws can catch the insulation on cables and lead to a short. Personally, it's round head for me (though I confess to using c/s whent I dont have r/h to hand!)

Regards.

 

[Badged01]

Roundhead but as with Polo's comment when not avail countersunk -- with some insulation tape across them!

 

[UNG]

There is a view that c/sunk screws can catch the insulation on cables and lead to a short. Personally, it's round head for me (though I confess to using c/s whent I dont have r/h to hand!)

Didn't realise that slotted countersunk woodscrews were still commonly used and even then damaging insulation on them is an extremely rare occurrence more chance of the socket screw damaging the insulation

Sounds like another jobsworth pet thing if they are reduced to this I think I'd have to asked what minimum fixing pull out force he expected so the socket box could not be pulled off the wall

 

[SPARTYKUS]

Wouldn't worry!

If its a countersunk screw it won't be catching anything after I've screwed it in .......

 

[telectrix]

wood plug and a clout nail. :6:

 

[KFH]

I use countersunk screws with a posidrive slot. They do not have any sharp edges to catch wires. Have used countersunk slotted in the past before Phillips/posidrive Aaaaghhh. From my experience of using roundhead screws I am more likely to put a sharp edge on them when the screwdriver slips out of the slot. Posidrive countersunk for me all the time driven with an impact driver as I suffer from RSI in my wrist. I am with spartykus "they won't be catching anything after I've screwed them in"

 

[ian.settle1]

For fixing flush boxes?.......anything apart from a nail as long as it's fixed!

So you can use superglue:49:

 

[KFH]

So you can use superglue:49:

It works out too expensive, apart from that and the potential to end up driving home covered in back boxes - yes.

 

[Geordie Spark]

So you can use superglue:49:

It's too expensive and it's guaranteed to stick anything & everything EXCEPT what you want it to. Gripfill is much cheaper.

 

[SKY]

I have used Gripfill and grab adhesive many times on weak substrates to get me out of trouble.
I have always backed it up with a nail or screw also.
Some of the new all in one: seal fill and grab adhesives are stronger than a screw and plug!

I normally always use a countersunk screw for me back boxes but do it up quite tight so that it pulls the head into the box.
Never had a problem.

PS: we use this stuff and its the dogs knackers http://www.ct1ltd.com/ct1.html

 

[Adam W]

It's too expensive and it's guaranteed to stick anything & everything EXCEPT what you want it to. Gripfill is much cheaper.

Were you a wood butcher in a former life?

 

[SPARTYKUS]

I have used Gripfill and grab adhesive many times on weak substrates to get me out of trouble.
I have always backed it up with a nail or screw also.
Some of the new all in one: seal fill and grab adhesives are stronger than a screw and plug!

I normally always use a countersunk screw for me back boxes but do it up quite tight so that it pulls the head into the box.
Never had a problem.

PS: we use this stuff and its the dogs knackers CT1 - CT1Ltd

I'll raise your wager Mr Sky and offer

Timber Bond PU Adhesive


(as you, will stick anything to anything, read their bumpf, they're cocky enough to say you'll never use anything else once you've used it. I agree with them)