Once again I need a good screw, Deck screw that is :)

[newbury]

Warning - rant on cheap screws
I had been buying a lot of deck screws of various lengths over the decades, I use them for a lot of my "projects" that involve 2x4, plywood etc. I like them because usually I could put them in, and often back them out later without really damaging either the wood or the screw. I predrill with a drill bit of slightly smaller diameter than the screw and usually use my little DeWalt impact wrench to drive them home. Been doing it that way for over a decade.
I had been buying them from Home Depot, tractor supply or Lowes, usually 5 lbs at a time of various lengths. Had bought whatever brand they had, some Phillips, some "star drive"/torx, some slotted all seemed to work fine.
Well I ran out of 3" size.
So I recently bought a pound of Grip-Rite #9 x 3 in. Star Drive Bugle Head Coarse Thread Construction Screw from Home Depot.
They should be labeled Cow. They are the WORST POC for a deck screw. I started driving the first few with the crappy bit included. That rounded immediately.
So I got a better bit. Now all the blasted screw are stripping at the drive/recess (where you stick the bit). I'm drilling into 2x4 pine, predrilled the screw hole and the screws are stripping out with 1/2" or more before the head contacts the wood. And because the cheap POC's are stripped there is no getting the screw out without pliers.
So can anyone recommend a good inexpensive deck screw?

 

[ponytug]

FWIW: I have had reasonable luck with the GRK brand, and the PowerPro bronze screws. I use the Simpson Strong-Tie structural screws for bigger items; they have large heads that seem to apply sufficient force/pressure.
GRK screws
Power pro bronze screws
Simpson Strong-Tie Torx structural screws

I now only use Torx screws, and only predrill the Simpson Strong-Ties. I had a bad stretch of Philips/Poziloc screws for awhile that kept shearing off as I drove them into 2bys. Annoyingly, many of the philips sheared off later, and I had to come back and do repair/rework on the boards.

All the best,

Peter

 

[buckeyefarmer]

GRK structural screws

 

[BigGG]

You get what you pay for. I bought a box of GripRite box nails and was having a devil of a time driving them. I started checking them and about 1/2 were pre-bent.

 

[newbury]

FWIW: I have had reasonable luck with the GRK brand, and the PowerPro bronze screws. I use the Simpson Strong-Tie structural screws for bigger items; they have large heads that seem to apply sufficient force/pressure.
GRK screws
Power pro bronze screws
Simpson Strong-Tie Torx structural screws

I now only use Torx screws, and only predrill the Simpson Strong-Ties. I had a bad stretch of Philips/Poziloc screws for awhile that kept shearing off as I drove them into 2bys. Annoyingly, many of the philips sheared off later, and I had to come back and do repair/rework on the boards.

All the best,

Peter

Thanks - That's two votes for GRK
Simpson Strong Tie is my go to for post and joist hangers, especially when they go on sale. But their screws are too expensive for me.

 

[JJT]

I'm a big fan of the Scorpion square drives. Have used many thousands over the years. You generally get what you pay for, "good and inexpensive" is rare.

 

[WinterDeere]

No help on deck screws, but your thread title reminded me of a story I'd forgotten, maybe almost 30 years ago.

I'm sitting in class, probably 10th grade, with the cutest girl in the school behind me. She taps me on the shoulder, sticks her nose right up in my face, and whispers "wanna screw"?

Taking a second to think up the response that's going to give me the best odds at that happening, she cuts me short by holding up a screw that had apparently fallen out of my chair.

 

[oosik]

I've always used plain old trumpet screws - of varying lengths. Going into plywood and pine of varying thickness.

I've never had a problem of screws backing out or - otherwise - failing.

I see those brands with different head styles and various coatings. I think a whole lot of that is just trying to sell a product. WOW - lookie - this is a new wonder screw. But what are it's advantages over a plain old trumpet screw - ???

Only drill a pilot hole if attaching woods of significant density.

 

[EddieWalker]

I've been buying Deck Screws from the box stores for decades and haven't had any issues. I use them instead of nails for everything. The only time I use nails in in my framing gun when framing something big. I never use nails in a deck, and in all my Remodel Jobs, I use screws.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Deck-Plus-10-x-3-in-Ceramic-Deck-Screws-5-lb/1000318525

I'm a little surprised that anybody would have issues with them.

 

[Alan W.]

Occasionally a bad batch gets out. Ive seen this with drywall screws. Open a different case and the heads start popping off. Go to another case and all is fine again.
Use to help a buddy build decks years ago and we used phillips head. Phillips should have been hung and quartered for forcing such an abomination on us.