Plywood screws

[suds]

Wondered what you guys use for plywood screws?  I've heard the Zip-R are good but I've never used them.  Can't seem to find them at McNeely's.

 

[waho6o9]

www.hafele.com/us/services/haefele-library/4293.htm      Have at it.  [big grin]

 

[Jonhilgen]

I typically use a square drive with an auger-point.  The screw also has "nibs" on it to help it countersink itself. 

 

[Wood_Junkie]

I like Spax screws very much.

I still drill a small pilot hole on the edges, to prevent the plys from separating from the screw wedging in.  My usual is a tapered bit, one size smaller than the screw size I'm using and 3/4 of the length screw I'm going to use.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

GRK's are the best screws, hands down.

 

[CList]

www.hafele.com/us/services/haefele-library/4293.htm      Have at it.   [big grin]

That's an interesting page and I dig Hafele in general but I gotta say I HATE going to their website because of....

That creepy picture of the operator on every page!!
What's up with that??
I don't know what it is; I just picture her with a "hunky fireman calendar" in her cubicle eating microwaved "Lean Cuisine" for lunch, and I instantly loose interest in whatever informative things she might be able to tell me about the best screw to use for plywood. (I apologize if someone here knows her, and maybe I'm being too judgmental, but I can 't help it man! I wish they'd take that pic off of the site!)

BTW, McFeely's has the Spax screws.
The Zip-Rs sound a lot like Kreg pocket-hole screws from the description. The Kregs work as advertised, they go right in clean - no pilot hole, but they can push the pieces apart a little w/o a pilot hole as WoodJunkie mentions.
I've never bought them in flat-head format (the kreg-branded screws have a pan-head). This site:
http://www.getneds.com/servlet/the-415/1%22-Zip-r-/Detail
....has flat head and pan head (pocket) versions, not-branded, so probably cheaper than the kregs:

Cheers,
Chris

 

[mwhafner]

I use either Spax or GRK, and can't tell a lot of difference between them as far as quality is concerned.  I can get Spax locally, so that is generally what I keep in stock.

 

[JEP]

I typically use the Zip-Rs from Hafele.  I also like the promax from McFeely with the optimized thread length, which typically eliminates the need for a clearance hole.  Depending on the material I drill clearance and/or pilot holes.

Joe

 

[HowardH]

another +1 for GRK.  I have only been able to find them at Rockler, tho.