Using sheet metal, particleboard, or drywall screws in wood, and help finding a source for black finished wood screws

John2005 · science forum beginner Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 34

Hi everyone,

Can anyone please recommend a source for some black finished flat head
# 6 wood screws? I need them to be about 1" to 1.5" long. I am having
trouble finding black finish wood screws. The drive type is not really
important, but I prefer phillips over straight slot.

I found the black finished screws listed below at www.mcmaster.com,
However, they are either sheet metal, particleboard, or drywall screws.
The screws are used inside the home and never get wet so I think I just
need moderate rust protection. I have a thin walled section so I don't
want the wood to split. However, I can drill a pilot hole so I doubt
splitting will be a problem. I want the screws to hold as strong as
possible. I am using a flat head because I want to "lock" the part
down on the wood best as possible, and avoid any wiggle or movement
under load. Flat heads seem to work well for this.

I really like the "High performance serrated thread" screws from
Mcmaster carr, but they only come in a silver zinc finish.

Of the three black finish screws below, which would you recommend ?

Black Finish:

Mcmaster Carr Part # 90033A160
Flat Head Phillips Sheet Metal Screw Black-Oxide Finish Steel, No 6
Size, 1" Length

Mcmaster Carr Part # 90252A106
Flat Head Phillips Particleboard Screw No. 6 Size, 1" Length

Mcmaster Carr Part # 90305A112
Premium Cntr-Sunk Head Phillips Drywall Screw Sharp Point, 6-18 Thread,
1" Length

Silver / Zinc Finish:

I prefer the following screws, they seem to work well but they are
going on a black oxide finished part and the shiny zinc finish seems to
stand out. It's just a matter of looks, I am not sure what people would
think of it, and the black screws would seem to look better to me, so I
would like to use black if I can.

Mcmaster Carr part # 91550A153
Hi-Performnce Serrated Thrd Flat Hd Wood Scrw Combination Drive,
Znc-Pltd Stl, No.6 Sz, 1" Length

Thanks for your help.
John

John2005 · science forum beginner Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 34

Hi everyone,

I just found out that the head size of the drywall screws make them
inconvenient for my application. The diameter of the drywall screws is
larger than the other screws and it would force me to relocate my
screws, which is undesirable. Mcmaster makes a drywall screw with a
smaller head diameter, but then it lists the head height as .150" and
the thickness of my part (a flat steel plate) is only .156". I suppose
it could work, but I tend to think I should not countersink through the
entire material thickness.

I am currently countersinking for a .127" diameter head, and I cannot
go much bigger than that due to space constraints.

The particleboard screw head height is .120" and the sheet metal screw
head height is .083". Both the particleboard and sheet metal screws
have head diameters almost exactly the same as the silver zinc plated
serrated thread screw I am currently using.

The sheet metal screw seems to have almost the exact same head
dimensions as the part # 91550A153 serrated thread (silver zinc plated
screw) I am using now. If the sheet metal screw will not work well
enough, I guess I will use the particleboard screws.

I would appreciate any further feedback.

Thanks again,
John

John2005 wrote:

John2005 · science forum beginner Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 34

I decided to go with the sheet metal screw, I don't see why it would
not work well with the right size pilot hole.

John

John2005 wrote:

<beard6801@bellsouth.n · science forum beginner Joined: 14 May 2006 Posts: 11

I don't see why you can't get whatever screw you want...and then dip the
head in a durable black paint...

"John2005" <johnjmechanical@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1150688039.013371.61300@g10g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...

wwswimming@yahoo.com · science forum beginner Joined: 13 Sep 2005 Posts: 16

all my sheet metal & wood screws are mixed in together in my workshop.
they
can be interchanged all right, though for some applications, like a
swing set,
i would use "belt & braces" approach.

i suggest Home Depot, if you have one. huge selection. good chance
they have
the black oxide durable finish you're probably looking for.

John2005 wrote:

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