Source For Square Drive Screws??

M

Mahogany Man

Member
Joined
Sep 9, 2007
Messages
120
Hi All,
I am currently looking for a source of quality, square drive wood screws.
My current supplier is closing his doors and retiring.
I attempted to buy from Mcfeelys, but was discouraged by very poor customer service.
So.....Where does everyone buy screws from?
Thanks
John
 
I have had great service from McFeely's.  I don't think that their website is the greatest, so I always call to place my orders.  My Grandfather and I have used them for almost 20 years. 

If you have an issue with their customer service, bring it to their attention.  It has been my experience that they take complaints seriously. 
 
I've always used McFeeley's in the past, but that was prior to the founder selling his business.  I believe Lee Valley carries a decent assortment of square drive screws.

Dave R.
 
I have used mcfeeleys for 10 years and have always had great service. the founder sold a year or 2 ago and the new owners moved to wisconson I think but the service has always been good.  try them again.,

I usually order by noon and get it in 3 days via ups.  when they were on the east coast 1 day I had stuff.  but just plan ahead.

 
THe best screws I have used are from HDL in wisconsin.  They are called the Ultimates and are black oxide coated.  If you can live with black oxide, these are the best I have used.  HDL will happily send you a catalog and their prices are pretty good.  The screws from McFeeleys are OK as well.  they also offer their screws in systainers and sortainers.

Good luck

Jim

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, and what does kill you doesn't.
 
Dave Ronyak said:
...
I believe Lee Valley carries a decent assortment of square drive screws.

Dave R.
Click to expand...
Lee Valley's assortment is actually very limited.  They only carry #8 and only in lengths from 3/4 inch to 2.5 inch.  I will say that the screws they do sell are quite good.  Here is a link:http://www.leevalley.com/hardware/page.aspx?c=1&p=58001&cat=3,41306

You can get a wider selection of Robertson (what you call square drive) screws than this at any harware store in Canada.
 
Thanks guys,
Jim, what is HDL ? I couldn't find it in a search.
As far as Mcfeely's is concerned, no thanks.
I tried twice to give them my business.
Thanks
John
 
What exactly was the issue with McFeely's? Whatever it is, I'm sure I can resolve it.

 
Dave Ronyak said:
I've always used McFeeley's in the past, but that was prior to the founder selling his business.  I believe Lee Valley carries a decent assortment of square drive screws.

Dave R.
Click to expand...

I'd just like to add a quick clarification to this.

While it's true that Jim Ray did sell McFeely's in 2007, I've been with the company for over 11 years. I was Jim's General Manager in VA and I'm the Brand Manager (same position essentially) for the company now.

In other words, there has been no change in our outlook when it comes to customer service.

If there's any issue, just contact me. Not only am I actively engaged with my customer service representatives, but I'm open to hearing from you all as well.

I don't want there to be any hidden customer service issues. If we've failed in any way, let me know and I'll get it fixed as quickly as possible. That's the only way I like to do business.

 
No problems with McFeelys here. IMHO top notch to deal with.

While I don't order many screws from them, they have lot's of items that can be very hard to get elsewhere, thats why I started to do business with them.

Ed
 
I'm another satisfied McFeeley's customer.  Never been able to break one of their screws, and I've put them thru the hoops.  I always order thru the web, so can't speak for customer service, except to say that I've never needed it - which is a good thing.  Shipping has always been like clockwork - however many days it takes to get to you from VA, it will always be the same on every order.  Works for me.  They have my business.
 
Jesse Cloud said:
I'm another satisfied McFeeley's customer.  Never been able to break one of their screws, and I've put them thru the hoops.  I always order thru the web, so can't speak for customer service, except to say that I've never needed it - which is a good thing.  Shipping has always been like clockwork - however many days it takes to get to you from VA, it will always be the same on every order.  Works for me.  They have my business.
Click to expand...

I'm surprised to read that you have not broken any of their screws.  I had a few of their decking screws break when securing 5/4 PT SYP decking to PT SYP joists using a Makita 12V, 3/8 inch drill to drive them.  Approximately 2 broken screws per 100 installed.  But overall, I am a satisfied customer.

Dave R.
 
Ditto here as well.  Never a problem with McFeely's or the customer service.  They are on par with Lee Valley.
Steve
 
I have ben dealing with McFeeley's since 1990 / 1991.  They have been a class act since day one.  I will not buy a square drive screw from another vendor unless it is an emergency.  When they were based in Virginia I visited their headquarters and was impressed.  In the early 1990's they had a physical store and it was like being a kid in a candy store.  I visited in late 2005 and the store wasn't there but they handled me like a walk in customer and were great.

I have ordered products (including Festool) from them and 99+% of the time everything was great.  I remember trying to order on the internet early in my dealings with them on the internet and found that there was a problem with their system taking orders.  I found the owner's phone number and let hime know.  Less than thirty minutes later I had a phone call thanking me for taking the effort to let them know.

I usually order from them via phone versus internet because I enjoy talkin' to their people - they are real - they are personable - in my experience they have always been a pleasure.  I am however pissed that they moved out of virginia - good for Jim.

RON

I personally want to thank you for the time and effort that you take to monitor this forum and respond to questions and potential issues  You do go above the norm and hopefully that makes a difference.  You, your staff, your products are a class act.

In case you haven't guessed, it was Ron who called me back at 11:30 PM to thank me for letting them know about an internet problem way back then.

Thought you might find this pretty cool.  I might be wrong - but not about them.

Peter
 
On the basis of McFeely's involvement in this community and others, and the recent review of screws in Woodworking magazine, I just finished unpacking $160 of assorted screws in a Systainer. Haven't had a chance to drive any of 'em yet, but they look and feel a heck of a lot better than the crap I've been getting at Home Despot and the other big box store.

I did this after I bought a bunch of stainless steel screws from Lowe's that may as well have been wax; the square holes on many of them tore out, and I just ran out of patience.
 
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