GRK Screws

[slopjock78]

I purchased a couple of sizes of GRK screws at the local home center over the weekend for a small project I was working on.  And has been most peoples experience after trying them, I was sold on them instantly!

This is where the problem started.  The local stores only carry R4 #8 in 1 1/4" and 1 1/2".  Then #9 in 2-3" sizes.  Then some random trim head and cabinet screws. 

I looked at www.buygrkfasteners.com, and have to admit, i was a little underwhelmed.  They have an area for R4 #4s, but there are none available in that size.  In #6, the shortest length is 1 1/4".  They do have a nice selection of #8 in 1"-2 3/4".  I then looked at the GRK list, and those sizes are what appear on the official GRK product list.

I would really like a few #6s in 1", 3/4" and possibly 1/2 or 5/8".  And some short #4" would also be nice.  If I switch over to star head, i would like to switch ALL the sizes of screws.  Are there other options out there in the smaller sizes in the star head drive if GRK doesnt offer them?  I like the Spax screws, but i dont believe they offer the smaller sizes in star heads.

Are there any options out there for me?

 

[irishman]

Hillman has some smaller torqs head screws, and some are rated for outdoors as well.  I only use them for the smaller stuff though, because i've had problems with the 3" screws breaking the heads off after a few days of being installed.

In my experience (regularly buy direct from GRK for work) the GRK sales reps are very happy to send out free sample kits that are in my opinion quite large.  I think I got around 200-300 screws in my last sample set, and it was free for our evaluation.

 

[Cheese]

I use GRK in #8 and #10 sizes. They have a nice spread, the #8 size goes from 1" to 2 3/4" long in 1/4" increments and the #10 size goes from 1 1/4" to 4 3/4" long. Never had a need for a #6 screw, let alone a #4.

 

[slopjock78]

i have never had a use for #4 myself, but i'm sure there are uses.  However, I do use #6 screws that are shorter then 1" on a somewhat regular basis.  I just used several #6x 1/2" to attach some small lazy susan's for some K-cup holders i built for my wife.

the small screws are not a deal breaker that would keep me from switching to GRK/star head screws, but would like to switch all sizes if possible

 

[semenza]

  I have switched completely to GRK, including a range of #6 and #4 in some short lengths. I did have to shop around to get all the sizes.  I know I got some of them from BuyGRK, but their stock seems to vary. I also know that I purchased from other places  and those places stock seems to vary as well. I have tried several avenues to get the full range from one place on a regular basis but no luck so far. It would be great if a dealer in the USA would just take the opportunity to be the first truly full line dealer and stock them all.

Seth

 

[Cheese]

i have never had a use for #4 myself, but i'm sure there are uses.  However, I do use #6 screws that are shorter then 1" on a somewhat regular basis.  I just used several #6x 1/2" to attach some small lazy susan's for some K-cup holders i built for my wife.

the small screws are not a deal breaker that would keep me from switching to GRK/star head screws, but would like to switch all sizes if possible

Gotcha, I'm always doing construction so I always think in the larger screw sizes along with their RSS structural series. When I first stumbled upon these about 8-10 years ago, they only offered some #8, #9 & #10 sizes. The good news is that maybe they're now trying to fill out their line.

 

[Cheese]

It would be great if a dealer in the USA would just take the opportunity to be the first truly full line dealer and stock them all.

Seth

[thumbs up]  [thumbs up]
I know I have to haunt Siweks & Scherrer Brothers (local lumberyards), Menards, Home Depot, Amazon, Buy GRK and McFeeleys to find the sizes and the quantities I need. I really don't need a bucket of 5000 of the same size screw.

I did notice that the lumber yards seem to have a better selection in stainless.

 

[TheTrooper]

I usually get them through US tool and Fastener.Com 
I buy 95% of my Festool stuff from them as well

 

[slopjock78]

So I was wondering through my local Home Depot this weekend, buying some material for the bathroom I'm remodeling in my own house.  I went through hardware aisle and stopped at the Spax display.  I was very pleasantly surprised to see a selection of torx-head screws in #8 from 1 1/4"- 3 1/2" (in half inch increments).  I bought a box of each.  They didnt seem to have anything smaller then 1 1/4" in torx head, so it seems that i'm out of luck in that department.  I was also a bit disappointed to see that GRK and Spax use a different size torx bit in the same size screw.  (i believe Spax uses T20 while GRK uses T15)

So apparently the shift to torx bit is not going to be smooth, but it did take a step forward with finding the nice collection of Spax at the local box store

 

[pettyconstruction]

So I was wondering through my local Home Depot this weekend, buying some material for the bathroom I'm remodeling in my own house.  I went through hardware aisle and stopped at the Spax display.  I was very pleasantly surprised to see a selection of torx-head screws in #8 from 1 1/4"- 3 1/2" (in half inch increments).  I bought a box of each.  They didnt seem to have anything smaller then 1 1/4" in torx head, so it seems that i'm out of luck in that department.  I was also a bit disappointed to see that GRK and Spax use a different size torx bit in the same size screw.  (i believe Spax uses T20 while GRK uses T15)

So apparently the shift to torx bit is not going to be smooth, but it did take a step forward with finding the nice collection of Spax at the local box store

I have also gone to the spax/grk screws.Way better with the torx drive.
What I do is,when I get a new box of screws,it comes with a head(tip),and I put that in with the screws. I carry most of them in a "clincher"bag from Duluth and also try to find the same tip for all. Sometimes you can't
Seems to work
Charlie

 

[slopjock78]

Is anyone familiar with the Saberdrive torx head screws that Rockler carries?  They come in #6, #8 and #9.  The #6 comes in 1/2", 3/4" and 1".

These look pretty similar to the Spax/GRK screws, but hard to tell from a picture.  Also, does anyone know which torx bit they use?  T15 or T20?

 

[Sparktrician]

The shift to Torx was very smooth for me.  I keep most of my screws in a Sortainer.  Since every box comes with a new Torx tip, I have plenty of spares that reside in the drawer.  T15 and T20 are the more commonly used ones, although some of the longer/larger screws take a T25.  Any more, I just refuse to use all slotted-head screws.  I can and will use Phillips and Robertson, but Torx are my favorites, followed closely by Robertson.