GRK R4 Construction Screws

[Merkava_4]

Awesome screws. I picked up a box at Home Depot today. I was building some pallets today to stack lumber on. Eventually I plan on building a workbench. These screws have the Torx head which eliminates camout and they drill themselves into 2X4s like a hot razor blade though butter. No pre-drilling required. Even the underside of the head has little blades to countersink itself. No countersink bit required. What's the drawback? Price. They're pricey at $10.68 for a box of 100 #9 x 3-1/8 inch screws. What you're buying though is the convenience with absolute zero frustration. I highly recommend them.

PS - I plan on trying the SPAX screws next.

 

[Clevy]

I've been using robertson(square head) screws for 20 years and I could count the number of stripped screws on my hands.
When I worked in Detroit they used star head screws. Couldn't even find Roberson. They sucked. Then I came across the screws that were a Robertson and star combined.
And they performed identical to Robertson bits,that cost me half the price of theses special ones that need special heads.
It's funny that crossing an imaginary line would I discover that my entire career I didn't have a problem,and went across that line that such a dilemma would arise,creating a problem I didn't know I had til I had it.
I came to discover it was a patent and licence thing,because shortly thereafter I found Roberson bits everywhere while led me to believe the patent had expired giving the masses access to the simple tech of a square head screw.

 

[Merkava_4]

Here's a picture of them. The ones I got are the 3rd row down.

 

[UNC151]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
PS - I plan on trying the SPAX screws next.
I have used SPAX screws quite a bit and they work as well as the ones that you have posted. I found them at Home Depot while working on a workbench. They require a special bit, but there are 2 of them in the box. I think both types will be equivalent of one another.

PS...I think the SPAX screws were fairly pricey as well.

 

[benjamming]

Certainly not all SPAX screws require a special bit. The ones I used to build my workbench didn't require anything special. I liked them a lot compared to the "standard" stuff I was accustomed to in the past. However, I've not used GRK before. I'll check them out the next time I'm in Homie Despot.

 

[abycat]

Cool. Up here the robertson screws are super common in most all applications. Sometimes the hole for the bit is too shallow and you get them half way in and they strip. Pretty annoying. About 10% are junk. How are those for that? Im talking cheaper bulk but name brand ones though.

 

[doitmyself]

Merk,

What kind of coating are on those? Is it something better than yellow zinc chromate? I ask because my experience with the yellow zinc chromate is that it is not very corrosion resistant for outdoor work.

 

[Merkava_4]

Originally Posted By: benjamming
Certainly not all SPAX screws require a special bit. The ones I used to build my workbench didn't require anything special.


Just the SPAX T-Star Plus screws require the special bit. The bit has an added step on the tip.

You can see the illustration in this Home Depot LINK

 

[Merkava_4]

doitmyself, I'll let them explain it to you in their own words:

Quote:
GRK Fasteners revolutionary Climatek™ coating is available only on GRK products.

GRK’s Climatek™ coating consists of a total of six layers of various materials, including three layers of zinc-polymer.

Climatek™ has been tested for salt spray resistance, and more importantly, for Kesternich durability. Kesternich cycles are a more advanced way of testing a coated material. Each Kesternich cycle simulates heat, cold, wind, water, salt as well as a variety of other elements, whereas salt spray merely uses salt water for its tests.

Climatek™ passed 29 Kesternich cycles, making it the most advanced coating of its kind.

GRK’s Climatek™ conforms with ICC-NES Report #NER-643, #NER-628 and #NER-669 which allow for use of triple zinc polymer coated fasteners in contact with ACQ treated woods.

 

[UNC151]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Originally Posted By: benjamming
Certainly not all SPAX screws require a special bit. The ones I used to build my workbench didn't require anything special.

Just the SPAX T-Star Plus screws require the special bit. The bit has an added step on the tip.

You can see the illustration in this Home Depot LINK

Those are the ones

 

[Merkava_4]

I used some more today. They really do go through the wood real easy. A totally different feel from the drywall screws that I've used in the past. I don't have to pre-drill, countersink, nothing. Just drive them in.

 

[hisilver]

Used about 100 stainless R4s today. It was pleasureable.

 

[sleddriver]

For a WiDE assortment of screws and great prices, look up McFeelys.