Scenario: I was assembling some Sanus speaker stands that I bought from Amazon. I had opted for the “natural” stands since the less expensive MDF stands are more prone to cracking and oversized holes. I put together a pair of 30″ stands without issue but hit a snag with the 24″ stands.
Darn it, the overpriced-for-what-you-get made-in-China stands both had oversized holes, causing the included screws to spin around freely.
Immediate Reaction: *obscenity* *obscenity* *obscenity*
Advertisement
The Fix: I rummaged through my bin of wood fasteners and pulled out some Spax #10 1-1/2″ flat head screws. Thirty seconds later and the Spax screws saved my day.
If I didn’t have these screws readily available, my other options would have been to head to the local hardware store the next day or to ship the stands back to Amazon for a refund or exchange.
While I’m sure any flat head #10 1-1/2″ wood screw would have saved the day, I have developed extra fondness for Spax fasteners. You don’t need to drill pilot holes for them, but sometimes I do anyways for accurate positioning. But what I like most is how well these screws work with any wood material.
The “hard wood” posts of the speaker stands are supposed to be “natural wood,” but whatever they’re made of, it’s soft. Either way, the Spax screws worked wonderfully well.
Buy Now(via Amazon)
Buy Now(via McFeely’s)
Advertisement
I have purchased Spax screws from both Amazon and McFeely’s, and as I found out a while back, they are also available at Home Depot.
After proofreading this post it seems like I’m making a mountain out of a molehill. Even so, I do feel like the Spax screw saved the day. Or rather, they saved the night since I was doing all this at about 10pm. Without the Spax screws I would have been in a sour mood the rest of night and possibly even the next morning.
Experiences like this really justify the several cubic feet my fastener inventory takes up!
Michael Quinlan
As you said, this really has nothing to do with Spax screws. It has more to do with having the forethought to have a variety of fasteners on hand, without necessarily having any specific need at the time of purchase. For a homeowner, it can seem like an unnecessary expense to buy fasteners without having a specific need. However, for professionals, one trip to a hardware store from a job site can mean lost billable time, a project delay on a small project, or just the appearance of being unprepared.
Dennis
I too have developed a fondness for Spax screws. But you left out a major selling point about them. They aren’t made in China, they are either made in the US or Germany. It has been my experience that tools from the later 2 countries work a hell of a lot better than the prior.
Stuart
Great point! Quality comes down to a lot more than where fasteners are made. That said I too prefer USA-made fasteners where available.
Allen
See, now this what’s great about this interweb thing and sites like this. I’ve been around this stuff for some time and have never heard of these Spax screws. Now I’ll go out and get an assortment.
Say, this blog entry doesn’t have anything to do with the entry you had about firms trying to get promoted ?
Just kidding, carry on.
Stuart
I believe I first learned about Spas screws from a printed McFeelys catalog. But this is also why I enjoy writing for ToolGuyd so much – it’s satisfying to introduce less known brands ans manufacturers.
Lenny
I’ve been using Spax for a couple of years (after finding them at Depot) and love them. Their claim to fame is that you don’t have to pre-drill the hole, similar to a drywall screw. I used them to build many shevles out of 2×4’s and 1/2″ plywood and can confirm they work as advertised. Unlike drywall screws they are not as hard and brittle. A little more expensive than regualr screws but worth every penny IMO.
Brian Buehler
I’ll have to add some Spax to the shopping list.
I bet you know the trick of toothpick and wood glue in the hole to fix stripped wood/oversize holes but moved past that fix to have a chance to use the excellent screws!
Stuart
A toothpick is good for small screws, but in this case were talking about a speaker stand that will be holding 15 lbs or so of weight, maybe more. I could have plugged it with a dowel also, but it just seemed much quicker and easier to use larger screws.
Butch
I keep the left over chopsticks around for plugging larger holes, and you can sand or whittle them down easier than a dowel. bamboo skewers also work well.
NCD
A number of years ago I rec’d a small pack of these screws from Lee Valley. Great screws; I too am almost anal about having every possible screw size on hand. Mine starts at #4×5/8 up to #12×2″. I am sure I am missing some pan head sizes though. When a toothpick won’t work, try a golf tee.
James C
I like Power Pro screws that I get at Ace Hardware. They’re also a little more expensive than comparable screws, but they sure work better. Torx head, some kind of fancy thread, and don’t usually need to pre-drill. They say they are made in Taiwan, China, Canada, USA, or Korea, but packaged in the USA (ha).
Noah
And the best part is that I can use Robertson to drive them.
I’ve worked in some scenic shops that use Recex Woodmaster Plus screws from Pan American Screw. Now those are truly sweet.
mnoswad1
I just used some Spax screws today. I cut down some particle board cabinet boxes to a smaller size and used the Spax construction screws to attach the sides to the “end grain” of 3/4 inch particle board. Its the only screw that will work in crap particle bard without stripping or splitting. I buy them home depot, but will look into a supply of 5 pound boxes since HD only carries the 1lb. boxes of construction screws.
I prefer the torx head too………phillips head is DEAD to me after using torx head spax on all my wood assembly needs for the past couple years. I’ve even framed up walls with them when I need to prevent blow out of the end of a 2 by when toenailing. I use spax for subfloors too. I like that they a have a load rating listed on the box. The counter sinking nibs on the bottom make it too easy to overdrive right through OSB though..
I don’t use drywall screws now for anything but drywall.
Jerry
Used and like Spax screws, with good results. However I might add, while you are on the McFeeley’s site, check out all their other square drive screws. I am particularly fond of their stainless screws. They have some that are self-drilling, like the Spax, and unlike some of the cheap grade of stainless screws, they are more resistant to twisting off. I have a deck on the Side of the house, put together with stainless screws, over 10 years ago, without the slightest hint of rust or discoloration. A little more money, but by far my favorite screw to use in outdoor projects.
Daniel Lawson
I love the spax screws I found them at HD and have been using mostley spax since then. I would like a place to buy them in bulk and in a few different sizes then what HD carries.
Charles
I’ve been using Spax screws for over 12 years now. I don’t buy drywall screws for anything but drywall. The #6×3/4 are perfect for attaching 1/4″ sheet goods to frames. I used them for stage flats, crates, anywhere I’m making a big sheeted object. For plywood, you don’t need to drill pilot holes if you stay more than 1/2″ from the edge.
If you’re going to keep them on hand, just buy the 5# boxes from McFeeley’s. Much much less expensive per screw than any other source.
Josh
Spax screws are great. They are my go to fastener.
Dan
I have been using Spax screws here in England for about 8 years now and they are very good, although I also use a lot of Reisser R2 screws as well as they are almost as good but cheaper and still a German brand. I guess you don’t get Posidrive much in the USA but here pretty much the only screws which are still Phillips are drywall although torx are becoming much more common especially for large sizes and the Spax Washer head screws.
Tomonthebeach
I bought a house two years ago on the Florida coast. Salt air and high humidity rusts everything. Stainless Spax screws are THE replacement screw for rusted gate screws, fence screws, even window shades. I have gone through a box of 100 already.