Anybody tried the GRK FIN/Trim Head Screws?

Just used them for some new jambs in my house on the recommendation of a GC friend of mine. Worked great and allowed me a bit of extra adjustment in an old house that's not exactly plumb in the spots it should be.

The holes are a bit bigger than a 15g nail, but nothing terrible.
 
They rock. I carry about 6 sizes on the trailer. Use them almost daily. They will hold or pull joint together far better that a nail. Just be sure to not oversize your pre-drilled hole or you loose the little advantage there is in the size of the head of the screw.
 
I've just used them for the first time on a medium sized commercial job and really loved them. The only bad part was my local supplier didn't have enough of the ideal size.
 
I have used the GRK lineup for ten years now.  They are by far the best screws in my arsenal, I would go as far as to say that any contractor I have worked for has at least included some GRK in their screw collection after I introduced them.

I have seen guys not know which screw to use and end up either breaking tips or screws.  It is also advised to use a predrill in hardwood and I always clamp my styles when hanging cabinetry.
 
I've used thousands of GRK cabinet screws, and snapping one is just about as rare as a full moon. You should have a pilot hole in everything harder that alder, and to be fair to GRK every single time I've snapped one I knew it was going to happen and tried it anyway, lol. Maple and hickory cabinets work best when you screw on your slowest speed. The trim screws can be handy, and if you pre-drill they countersink themselves very nicely because the head is barely bigger than the pilot-hole. About the only thing I've used the trim screws for is when you need to "reach" for a stud at the end of a cabinet run (and the head is going to show). When I've used them in door jambs I still felt that the hole is just too big, but if you make sure that they will be behind the stops they work fine.
 
Will you GRK experts please list which GRK screws you use and in what applications?  Pics would be awesome, too.  Thanks!!
 
Bill Hendrix said:
Will you GRK experts please list which GRK screws you use and in what applications?  Pics would be awesome, too.  Thanks!!
Click to expand...

I use ......

R4s for all general purpose woodworking and fastening.

Pan heads for pocket holes.

Cabinet screws for hanging cabinets, attaching table tops built in sideboard tops etc, and adjustable drawer fronts. I put them through Domino slots  for adjustment and/or wood movement allowance.

I have some trim heads but have not had the occasion to use them yet.

Seth
 
mishle said:
I ordered mine from Fastenal
Click to expand...

I tried to order R4s through Fastenal, only to find that the price doubled over the published GRK price list.  Cancelled that order, then ordered R4s through Rockler.  I really like Seth's idea of using cabinet screws through Domino slots.  I've been using the cabinet screws for about a year, and have never snapped one, unlike the cheap junk screws made in China. 

 
I noticed the local Lee Valley started stocking GRK in the store. I haven't seen them on the web site yet. I will be picking some the next trip... I'll have to try Seth's domino trick too!
 
greenMonster said:
Do most of you order them off the internet?
Click to expand...

A store near me has a few. But I mostly get them on the internet. I have had trouble finding a place that has the full line in stock (not just listed for sale) this place has  had the most , and  possibly has the full line. Last time I ordered everything came, no back orders.

http://www.buygrkfasteners.com/

Seth
 
All of my local lumber yards carry a large selection of GRK, though I have ordered big boxes through Fasteners Inc.  I carry three sizes of cabinet head screws, 1 1/4, 1 3/4, and 2 3/4, three sizes of trim head 1 1/2, 2 1/2, and 3, I also keep a stock of their all purpose sizes for general use.
 
Chris Hughes said:
All of my local lumber yards carry a large selection of GRK, though I have ordered big boxes through Fasteners Inc.  I carry three sizes of cabinet head screws, 1 1/4, 1 3/4, and 2 3/4, three sizes of trim head 1 1/2, 2 1/2, and 3, I also keep a stock of their all purpose sizes for general use.
Click to expand...

I am lucky too, my lumber yard (one block away) carry's the full line.

I use the trim screws for everything.  Just used a bunch yesterday wrapping a box beam with Miratec on a front porch.

I have put up many beam wraps on cathedral ceilings with the trim screws.  I don't trust 15ga nails to hold up 13"W x 30' long maple wraps, no way.

I also like how you can tweak the material in and out a little because of the reverse threads right before the head of the screw.

I bet I carry 300.00 worth of GRK's in my SYS box.
 
Chris Hughes said:
All of my local lumber yards carry a large selection of GRK,
Click to expand...

I wish that was the case here.  Only a couple seem to carry any, and the selections are very limited, at best.  To make it worse, some countermen don't check carefully, and when I get there to pick up what was said to be in stock, I find that they didn't ever have what I wanted.  Another wasted trip and an hour (or more) lost. 

[mad]
 
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