PRODUCT REVIEW
Optimaxx Screws – Not all screws are equal
SINCE the almost universal uptake of cordless screwdriving, screws have had to be redesigned to cope with the extra torque available, the friction created and the shortcuts that are demanded for speed and productivity. In short, they have to be pretty well foolproof to cope with the differing demands of pro and amateur users.
But, it is still possible to make the wrong choice, especially if ‘cheap’ is at the top of your agenda. To see how a quality screw should be, Optimaxx’s range of screws have subtle changes of design according to purpose, timber type and timber size, making consumers’ choices more likely to be successful, whatever the project.
Starting with the biggest Hardwood is a challenge for woodscrews. Old oak beams can be very hard and dense! Users might need to look at the 6.0x180 Optimaxx screw with the double reinforced collar and 24 slot countersink to help it cope with the number of Nm being transmitted from the driver.
Starting is helped by the very sharp point and thread cutout combined with the sawteeth on the first 35mm or so of the screw. This point is also slightly thicker than the rest of the thread and shank, so it acts like a pilot, making a hole for the rest of the screw to follow.
A straight shank on the last half of the screw creates less friction, as does the wax coated lubricant. This design does the work of cutting into the timber and reducing the torque from the driver making it less likely that the shank will snap or the screw head will break.
Softwood roofing, maybe? If work on roof structures needs to be done, the Optimaxx 6.0x150 woodscrew is a likely choice. Screwing into thick timbers needs a powerful and torquey driver – even in softwood.
Once again, Optimaxx has designed a reinforced double collar that strengthens the head. A continuous thread all the way down the shank also needs a lot of driving, so a straight shank with a toothed collar halfway up on it clears the way and reduces friction.
By PETER BRETT
The addition of a wax lubricant also helps to ease the way while the very sharp point makes for easy starting and quick driving through the timber.
Smaller, but still demanding Stud construction using CLS timbers is probably where thousands of screws are used every day, so the 5.0x80 Optimaxx woodscrew is a good choice for length and strength.
The thread stretches about 2/3rds of the shank so both timbers being joined have the security of fix. Speed is important in studwork, so quick and reliable starting, often from an angle, makes the sharp point with cut out necessary. And you can be assured that the chippy has his/her driver set on max torque and speed, making a reinforced collar and countersink ribs (for a flush finish) a necessity – helped by the wax lubricant of course. A wide thread pattern makes for a very rapid insertion into what is usually softwood, so productivity can be maintained.
Fixing OSB to framework needs the 5.0x50 woodscrew. This is another screw that will be driven at full torque and at speed, so it benefits from having a double reinforced collar to strengthen the head.
16
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36
