I need to mount a “bumper” of sorts to the frame of a heavy hatch door, and the fasteners need to have good shear strength (similar to mounting a heavy cabinet). I know for sure not to use drywall screws (the fallback of sooooo many DIY monkeys around here — home, not Knots). What’s a good screw to use? Local hardware guys recommended a top-brand decking screw, but they come in boxes at $25/ea. and I only need a dozen or so.
forestgirl — you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can’t take the forest out of the girl 😉
Replies
FG,
Call Tacoma Screw, they have store all over the NW. Just ell them what your going to be fastening and they will guide you to the right fastener. They provide great customer service at a fair price. I have been dealing with them for years.
http://www.tacomascrew.com/locations
Taigert
Lag bolts.
John W.
Go ask Piffin on Breaktime. He'll tell you all you want to know about GRK screws and shear strength.
If you have an ACE Hardware try them, locally they sell deck screws by weight you can buy one to any number, no minimum.
SPAX screws, and they are "square-X" drive, meaning you can use either phillips or square tip drivers. We hang uppers with 3 - 3 1/2" x #14 SPAX screws through the 3/4" thick back.
Gary W
gwwoodworking.com
> the fasteners need to have good shear strength (similar to mounting a heavy cabinet)
Do you want something smaller than lag screws or TimberLocks? How about cabinet screws?
---mike...
I've got 2 votes for lag screws (stopped by Tacoma Screw today). Didn't know there was something specifically called "cabinet screws" but that certainly should work if they hold up heavy cabinets.
Said screw/bolt will be holding a 2x4 with its face against a 4" thick large framing timber in a barn. Has to withstand the feeders dropping a heavy hatch door down after feeding (instead of lowwwwwering it down gently), and people (including biggish man-types) walking across said door. The doors, which are made of 2x6 tongue-and-groove, are starting to fall apart too.
Tell me about cabinet screws -- they might have a cleaner look!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
If you're securing 2x4's, I'd go with lag screws. Use the matching washer and counter sink with a spade bit for a somewhat cleaner look.You can google cabinets screws and GRK and McFeely's will pop up at the top of the list. GRK only makes them to #8. McFeely's carries #10. They're better than drywall screws, but I don't know that I'd use them to secure a 2x stock.---mike...
With this clarification I add my vote to lags.
Lags it is! Now, just hope I don't fall through the hatch, LOL.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
As noted in this article, commonly-available lag screws aren't manufactured to any ATSM specifications, so shear strength data isn't available.http://www.portlandbolt.com/faqs/lag-screw-shear-strength-and-designBut, a few 3/8" or 1/2" lags (with fender washers) at reasonable intervals should do the trick. Ample pilot holes and a little wax on the threads will ease installation, of course.
Thanks, Ralph!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Dear FG,Lederloks........... no question. I'll second that.Best,John
How about these fasteners... http://www.mcfeelys.com/product/HLL-1450/x-5-LedgerLok-Ledger-Fastener
They are used to fasten deck ledgers to houses... Of course John White's suggestion of lag bolt sure does sound more cost effective, unless you have to install many lags (lots of pre-drilling with lags)
Fastenmaster Headlok screws, no pilot needed, drive them with an impact driver, they use a special spine drive bit (they give you one or two in every box). They are the cats a$$. We NEVER use lag bolts anymore. Around here (upstate NY) they sell them at HD.
Thanks, Paul, I'll check those out. Might use lag screws for this small project, but keep the Headlok's in mind for any bigger one that comes along.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
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