Just got an email from McFeely's touting the star drive as the next
generation of wood screws. I'm wondering if there's any real advantage
over square drives?

JP

"Jay Pique" wrote in message
oups.com...
Just got an email from McFeely's touting the star drive as the next
generation of wood screws. I'm wondering if there's any real advantage
over square drives?

JP

I got one too. These have been offered from other suppliers for some time
now and a similar if not the same "Torx head" screw has been used in the
automotive industry for a few decades now.

Any advantage? IMHO not enough for me to replace my inventory of screws
with these. Apparent advantages are that the bit can be engaged at a bit
more of an angle and the bit engages more quickly since the bit does not
have to rotate as much to engage the screw head.
Having used both in different applications the star is not nearly as big of
an improvement over the square drive as the square drive was over the
Philips head.

On 26 Aug 2006 06:18:11 -0700, "Jay Pique" wrote:

Just got an email from McFeely's touting the star drive as the next
generation of wood screws. I'm wondering if there's any real advantage
over square drives?

JP

I'll stick with their "combo head" or whatever they call it.... fits both square
and phillips, so whatever I have in the drill-driver will fit...

ok, I admit that I'm lazy, but most of my stuff is more jigs than furniture or
projects..
Mac

https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis
https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis/wood_stuff.htm

On 26 Aug 2006 06:18:11 -0700, "Jay Pique" wrote:

Just got an email from McFeely's touting the star drive as the next
generation of wood screws. I'm wondering if there's any real advantage
over square drives?

JP

Yes, they get to sell you a new set of drivers and bits.



+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

If you're gonna be dumb, you better be tough

+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

On Sat, 26 Aug 2006 11:11:10 -0700, Mark & Juanita
wrote:

On 26 Aug 2006 06:18:11 -0700, "Jay Pique" wrote:

Just got an email from McFeely's touting the star drive as the next
generation of wood screws. I'm wondering if there's any real advantage
over square drives?

JP

Yes, they get to sell you a new set of drivers and bits.

Exactly.

I used a bunch of their stainless screws that twisted off so easily
that I was going to recommend that they convert to round drive to
alleviate the problem.

Wes Stewart wrote:
I used a bunch of their stainless screws that twisted off so easily
that I was going to recommend that they convert to round drive to
alleviate the problem.

That surprises me - I've found McFeely's to be a good company to do
business with. Stainless is softer than their non-stainless
counterparts - a bit more care is needed, although not nearly so much
as with, say, brass.

JP

Yes. There is not a lot you can do to change a screw but they make up for
that in driver stiles. They must have an interest in screwdriver
manufacturing.

"Mark & Juanita" wrote in message
...
On 26 Aug 2006 06:18:11 -0700, "Jay Pique" wrote:

Just got an email from McFeely's touting the star drive as the next
generation of wood screws. I'm wondering if there's any real advantage
over square drives?

JP

Yes, they get to sell you a new set of drivers and bits.




+---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----+

If you're gonna be dumb, you better be tough


+---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----+

On 26 Aug 2006 11:51:10 -0700, "Jay Pique"
wrote:


Wes Stewart wrote:
I used a bunch of their stainless screws that twisted off so easily
that I was going to recommend that they convert to round drive to
alleviate the problem.

That surprises me - I've found McFeely's to be a good company to do
business with. Stainless is softer than their non-stainless
counterparts - a bit more care is needed, although not nearly so much
as with, say, brass.


I didn't say they weren't a good company to do business with, just
that I've have very bad luck with their stainless screws twisting off.

That's because most stainless screws of this type are made out of steel that
a kitchen sink would be embarrassed by. There are good grades.

"Wes Stewart" wrote in message
...
On 26 Aug 2006 11:51:10 -0700, "Jay Pique"
wrote:

I didn't say they weren't a good company to do business with, just
that I've have very bad luck with their stainless screws twisting off.

Wes Stewart wrote:
On 26 Aug 2006 11:51:10 -0700, "Jay Pique"
wrote:


Wes Stewart wrote:
I used a bunch of their stainless screws that twisted off so easily
that I was going to recommend that they convert to round drive to
alleviate the problem.

That surprises me - I've found McFeely's to be a good company to do
business with. Stainless is softer than their non-stainless
counterparts - a bit more care is needed, although not nearly so much
as with, say, brass.


I didn't say they weren't a good company to do business with, just
that I've have very bad luck with their stainless screws twisting off.

I spent a part of Wednesday running in McFeely's stainless screws for
replacement deck boards, 2x6 SYP, no pilot holes, and no problems,
including twist-off. I've used a slew of these screws and never had a
twist-off. It makes me wonder what kind of wood you're using, what kind
of pilot holes (ipe sure requires pilot holes, for instance), and what
kind of driver. I recently switched to an impact driver, the relatively
low cost Ryobi, and I ain't never goin' back!

Wes Stewart wrote:
On 26 Aug 2006 11:51:10 -0700, "Jay Pique"
wrote:


Wes Stewart wrote:
I used a bunch of their stainless screws that twisted off so easily
that I was going to recommend that they convert to round drive to
alleviate the problem.

That surprises me - I've found McFeely's to be a good company to do
business with. Stainless is softer than their non-stainless
counterparts - a bit more care is needed, although not nearly so much
as with, say, brass.


I didn't say they weren't a good company to do business with, just
that I've have very bad luck with their stainless screws twisting off.

Sorry - I didn't mean to put words in your mouth. I'd email someone
there about your problem. I'm confident they'll make it right.

JP

On 27 Aug 2006 02:40:48 -0700, "Charlie Self"
wrote:
[snip]

I didn't say they weren't a good company to do business with, just
that I've have very bad luck with their stainless screws twisting off.

I spent a part of Wednesday running in McFeely's stainless screws for
replacement deck boards, 2x6 SYP, no pilot holes, and no problems,
including twist-off. I've used a slew of these screws and never had a
twist-off. It makes me wonder what kind of wood you're using, what kind
of pilot holes (ipe sure requires pilot holes, for instance), and what
kind of driver. I recently switched to an impact driver, the relatively
low cost Ryobi, and I ain't never goin' back!

I'm building a playhouse for my granddaughter, who by the time I'm
done will have moved closer, but still 200 miles away. (I knew a move
was in the works, and even this one isn't permanent, so it will likely
be disassembled/assembled more than once) So I'm "pre-fabbing" and
assembling everything with screws here and will take it apart and move
it when the time comes.

The major problem has been with the #10 - 3 1/2" FH 305 stainless,
made in Taiwan screws that I'm using to tie the bottom plate (twoby
DF) to the 3/4" OSB floor and PT rim joists. I'm using stainless
because of the PT lumber.

McFeely's "NoCoRode" finish isn't. At least I don't feel confortable
using them because they don't look so good after having been installed
for a while and then removed. And I do have to consider removal in
the future, which is not a usual situation, but mine nevertheless.

The "driver" is a very tired old 9V Makita drill/driver, which I
finally ordered a new battery for yesterday. Hardly overpowering.

For comparison, I had a few stainless screws left over that I believe
that I bought from the Borg years ago. These were made (packaged) by
Midwest Precision Products. Didn't have a problem with them but
unfortunately I can't find them anymore.

"Jay Pique" wrote in message
oups.com...
Just got an email from McFeely's touting the star drive as the next
generation of wood screws. I'm wondering if there's any real advantage
over square drives?

JP


I too received their new catalog and nearly fell over when I saw the Torx
head being touted as the next generation. I have had nothing but problems
with Torx screws and in fact, any time I have to remove one, I'm sure to
replace with something else. I know it's not woodworking but my Jeep is
covered in them. Eveytime I have to remove one, I end up having to get
creative such as drilling it out, welding a nut to it, etc... I'm slowly
getting rid of them all. I'll stick with the square drive for strong
holding applications and standard phillips for those less than important
locations.
Cheers,
cc

"James \"Cubby\" Culbertson" wrote in
:


I too received their new catalog and nearly fell over when I saw the
Torx head being touted as the next generation. I have had nothing
but problems with Torx screws and in fact, any time I have to remove
one, I'm sure to replace with something else. I know it's not
woodworking but my Jeep is covered in them. Eveytime I have to
remove one, I end up having to get creative such as drilling it out,
welding a nut to it, etc... I'm slowly getting rid of them all.
I'll stick with the square drive for strong holding applications and
standard phillips for those less than important locations.
Cheers,
cc


I've also had many problems with Torx head screws. Part of it seems to
be never having the right size bit to turn the dumb thing. If it's not
JUST right, you run the risk of spinning the bit.

Give me a good Phillips head any day.

Puckdropper
--
Wise is the man who attempts to answer his question before asking it.

To email me directly, send a message to puckdropper (at) fastmail.fm

"Wes Stewart" wrote in message
...
On 27 Aug 2006 02:40:48 -0700, "Charlie Self"
wrote:
[snip]

Snip
The major problem has been with the #10 - 3 1/2" FH 305 stainless,
made in Taiwan screws that I'm using to tie the bottom plate (twoby
DF) to the 3/4" OSB floor and PT rim joists. I'm using stainless
because of the PT lumber.

McFeely's "NoCoRode" finish isn't. At least I don't feel confortable
using them because they don't look so good after having been installed
for a while and then removed. And I do have to consider removal in
the future, which is not a usual situation, but mine nevertheless.

The "driver" is a very tired old 9V Makita drill/driver, which I
finally ordered a new battery for yesterday. Hardly overpowering.

For comparison, I had a few stainless screws left over that I believe
that I bought from the Borg years ago. These were made (packaged) by
Midwest Precision Products. Didn't have a problem with them but
unfortunately I can't find them anymore.


Wes:

If you are having problems with our screws, we want to know about it. We
torque test every production batch to make sure that our screws are as
strong as possible. If you still have the original box you will find a lot
number on the label which should help us track down the problem. Remember
that stainless steel just isn't as strong as hardened steel, which is why we
recommend increasing the wire size when using stainless. Please call my
Technical Director, Darin Lawrence, for assistance.

Jim Ray, President
McFeely's Square Drive Screws
1-800-443-7937