I need some advice on buying screws

Discussion in 'Other Trades Talk' started by lemonade, Feb 12, 2017.

  1. chippie244

    chippie244 Super Member

    For a 2"x 1" batten which from the sheds will be 44mm x 19mm you will need 19mm + the length of the plug, around 32mm, so 50mm or 2".
    Follow KIAB's chart and in imperial you need a 8ga or a 10ga or in metric a 4mm or a 5mm with a red or brown plug.
    Personally I would use a 8ga/4mm screw with a red plug which requires a 6mm masonry drill.
    This is just my opinion.
    In this game you have to learn to convert between imperial and metric but it's a lot easier than plumbing sizes.
     
    KIAB likes this.
  2. nigel willson

    nigel willson Screwfix Select

    Batten, no8 x 2inch. = 4x 50. Red plugs 6mm drill!!!!!! Simples
     
    KIAB likes this.
  3. chippie244

    chippie244 Super Member

    Is there an echo in here, here?
     
    KIAB likes this.
  4. nigel willson

    nigel willson Screwfix Select

    Yessssss, before I read urrrrrrssssss
     
    chippie244 likes this.
  5. DIYDave.

    DIYDave. Screwfix Select

    Gotta add with red plugs,5.5mm drill bit gives a lovely tight fit, depending on what wall is made from, plugs may need a tap in with a hammer

    Soft blocks, may even get away with 5mm bit

    Now.......... what type of countersink head should the screw have ..........Arghhhhhhhh .........:eek:
     
    chippie244 likes this.
  6. Phil the Paver

    Phil the Paver Screwfix Select

    Just to be awkward I'm going to say use 65mm screws and Brown plugs so you have nearer 50mm in the wall, curtains are generally heavy. :D:D:D
     
  7. KIAB

    KIAB Super Member

    Agree with 65mm screws, using a 50mm screw you only have around 25mm in the wall.
     
  8. lemonade

    lemonade Member

    I have two different size wall plugs but I don't know which one's to use.
    Brown 45mm and 30mm.
    Red 35mm and 28mm.
     
  9. Phil the Paver

    Phil the Paver Screwfix Select

    For me I'd use Brown 45mm with 65mm no10 screws.
     
  10. KIAB

    KIAB Super Member

    'ditto':)
     
  11. chippie244

    chippie244 Super Member

    2x1 from the sheds is generally only 18/19 mm and a plug is 30/32mm so anything longer than that is sitting in a void but this is all personal preference.
    The screw is in sheer rather than tension so you are trying to snap the screw rather than pull it out, there is a little cantilever action but I'm sure KIAB has a chart to show the forces involved.
    All I can really say is this is how I do it and I've never had a failure.
     
    KIAB likes this.
  12. lemonade

    lemonade Member

    It's not the curtains that are heavy it's the kids swinging on them.
     
    Phil the Paver likes this.
  13. Phil the Paver

    Phil the Paver Screwfix Select


    Clip round the ear, generally sorts that problem out. :p:p:p
     
    gadget man, KIAB and lemonade like this.

  14. Tend to agree, but I am not going to overrule an expert.

    The most important thing is to ensure the batten is pulled tight to the wall to eliminate any movement. It's the movement that will weaken it.
     
  15. chippie244

    chippie244 Super Member

    It's not rocket science and all of the options given will work.
     
  16. chippie244

    chippie244 Super Member

    I did a little search tonight and whist not entirely scientific or directly compareable a M4 bolt to 8.8 has a shear of 7KN http://www.tech.plymouth.ac.uk/sme/desnotes/boltb.htm
    These are bolts not screws but it does show you how strong a thin bit of metal is in shear.
    7KN is roughly 700KG
     
  17. Astramax

    Astramax Super Member

    Depends on what colour the curtains are as you wouldn't want them to clash :oops:
     
  18. Phil the Paver

    Phil the Paver Screwfix Select


    I doubt if a standard wood screw is anywhere near 8.8 in strength.

    This shows the USA figures in LBs.

    https://www.screwdoctor.com/application/home/selection_guide/technical_data.aspx
     
  19. malkie129

    malkie129 Screwfix Select

    Just an aside. I'm not a builder, but an engineer and I have been told that you shouldn't use self cutting screws, ie, turbos,as they cut into the wall-plug, rather than expanding it. ;);)
     
    Pollowick likes this.
  20. Pollowick

    Pollowick Screwfix Select

    That is exactly what Fischer will tell you and they know fixings better than anyone.


    Lemonade: just remember that a NoXX or XXGauge screw is imperial and XXmm is metric and they are not the same.

    Have you thought about using some basic frame or hammer fixings such as: http://www.screwfix.com/p/fischer-nylon-hammerfix-6-x-60mm-50-pack/28374 or http://www.screwfix.com/p/fischer-nylon-hammerfix-8-x-60mm-50-pack/20746 choose the preferred size. You drill and countersink the batten, put it in place and drill through a hole into the masonry, insert the fitting and tighten but not fully. Then, adjust the batten to get level, drill through another hole, insert fitting and repeat. There is less chance of the holes being misaligned or the batten sloping.
     

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