PRODUCT REVIEW
Quick starts are made with the sharp point and sawtooth formation on the bottom threads. OSB is a demanding material that needs a strong screw – and this one delivers.
Slimmer and more delicate There is a whole range of jobs where heavy driving torques are not necessary – in fact, gentler is better. They include screwing near edges in man-made boards and T and G flooring. It is still surprising to see the differences between screws that superficially look the same size but are made with a different end in mind.
Man-made boards can be problematic – ask anyone who has ever had the joy of assembling or repairing flat pack furniture. The 3.5x50 Optimaxx screw has a very slim shank – strength is not the critical requirement here but making as small a hole as possible so as not to break the chipboard (most often close to an edge) is the aim. Countersink grooves in the head remove woodfibres that could cause splitting and bulges as you drive the screw flush.
Having spent the last week or so fitting a kitchen and having to deal with some pretty cheap and nasty screws that come all mixed up in those infuriating plastic bags, it is good that Optimaxx has some slimline 3.5 gauge screws available in 20mm and 30mm lengths. The 20mm I can vouch for as being perfect for hinge fitting since the 24 countersink grooves enable flush fitting to the hinges. The longer ones were useful for joining cabinets and other fittings where a bit more length was not an issue.
T and G flooring also requires special designs. The 3.5x45 T and G screw also has a slim shank with a widely spaced thread with a gap about 2/3rds of the way up the shank. The head needs to be tiny so that it
can be driven into the tongue and groove, so as not to interfere with the next plank.
MDF is a mixed blessing for me – useful, but a pain to work with in some contexts. The Optimaxx screws most useful for fixing in MDF are the 3.5x40 screws with countersink grooves to prevent wood fibres from being compacted and causing bulges as the screwhead is driven in. A thin shank and a delicate thread can easily cope with driving torque into MDF, and these allow the screw to cut its way rather than force the wood fibres apart. It really works, believe me.
All hands on deck Although many people use ordinary screws to fix decking, it does pay to use screws designed for the purpose. One reason alone would be enough – rust. Optimaxx’s 4.5x65 decking screw has a lifetime guarantee of corrosion resistance. Easier to see is the markedly more conical head design that fits between the decking profile grooves without damaging it. The countersink grooves ensure a flush and water resistant fit. Yes, of course stainless steel screws can be used but stainless steel is relatively soft and breaks easily thus requiring a lot more care
when using it, even when drilling pilot holes! I can’t remember the last time I drilled a pilot hole!
I hate them, but they are a feature of modern homes – chipboard flooring boards. The Optimaxx 4x50 flooring screw has an additional locking thread that holds the boards securely and prevents squeaking. Again, the countersink grooves in the head ensure a flush finish on top.
What to do? Getting the right screws for a project can still be a problem if your local DIY shop staff doesn’t know a shank from a countersink but it is always worth a question or two. A good start is to be aware of all the differences – the right choice will help you make a better job and it will be a lot easier to drive the screws. `
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