Best screws for 3/4 mdf?

[YouWantTheGrill 10+ year member]

I've read not to use wood screws? Possibly some metal screws with an even shank all the way down? What size? And I know you are supposed to pre-drill the hole, so don't give me too much crap for being a nooB! lol

Any help would be appreciated..

Thanks,

Matt

Click to read more...

 

[BJ The Man 10+ year member]

I usually just use what ever i have laying around that is the correct length.

 

[wesl56 10+ year member]

pretty much everyone uses drywall screws... they're cheap and work great

you MUST pre-drill the holes or u will get nasty cracks... use a bit with a counter-sink too if you want the heads of the screws flush or recessed

 

[mlstrass 5,000+ posts]

For box building I normally use 1 5/8" course thread drywall screws. Pre drill and you won't have a problem.

 

[CrazedCat 10+ year member]

As stated, coarse thread drywall screws around 1-1/2". Pre-drill holes and I'd also use a countersink bit before screwing them in so they are inset into the MDF.

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

I use wonderboard...they have little ridges on the threads.

 

[mavster 10+ year member]

am I the only one who uses a nailer?

 

[InhumanAcura 5,000+ posts]

am I the only one who uses a nailer?

no.

but, this is a question about screws..I use 1 5/8" coarse dry-wall screws with a pre-drill and countersink

no nails/screws at all is the best way to go imo. clamps ftw

 

[goodstuff 10+ year member]

I recently used mdf for the first time and I was amazed at how thin you could make cuts and put screws in them (predrilling of course) and not have it split like regular wood...made it much easier than doing it with regualr wood...but yeah if you don't have a counter sink bit like someone suggested you can just use a slighty larger bit to widen where the screw head fits so it will be flush with the wood...

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

am I the only one who uses a nailer?

I use a stapler, but not a nailer.

The nailer is many times faster, but screws work when I don't have a compressor.

 

[Fattony911 10+ year member]

no nails/screws at all is the best way to go imo. clamps ftw

what i do^^^^^, you shouldnt even need screws after the glue dries. I go ahead and back them out then go over with my router and fill in all the holes with woodfiller then sand smoothe

 

[jinx8402 10+ year member]

Not that it matters much, but if you already have the screws in, why waste the time of taking them out? I'm just curious really. I understand the whole making it smooth, but can't you just add the filler on top of the screw (if you countersink them, obviously)?

 

[joetama 5,000+ posts]

I'll look what they are when I get home...

But, I have tried a variety of screws...

I KNOW I only buy ones with Robertson #2 Square heads and not Phillips any more...

 

[jmanpc 5,000+ posts]

I just use 1 5/8" Coarse drywall screws, too. Predrill with a 5/32 bit, and you are good to go.

 

[joetama 5,000+ posts]

I just use 1 5/8" Coarse drywall screws, too. Predrill with a 5/32 bit, and you are good to go.

This set is worth its weight in gold...

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?cat=Power+Tool+Accessories&pid=00926343000&vertical=TOOL&subcat=Drill+Bits&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

When we build boxes we get 2 drills going... One to drill/counter sink one to screw. Makes it go fast...