Can anyone recommend and/or suggest where to buy small (as in 3mm or
thereabouts) stainless steel wood screws?

Searching for them just throws up lots of hits for what are just
ordinary self-tapping screws which are not ideal for wood.

I want some like the old Screwfix Turbo Ultra screws which were
specifically for use in wood, had a sharp, self-drilling (type 17) tip
and held well in wood having a deep thread.

I still have som 3 x 16 Turbo Ultra but they'll run out soon and I
need other sizes - 3 x 10, 3 x 20, 3 x 30 or similar.

Even 3.5 diameter would be useful though I do still have a reasonable
stock of Turbo Ultra 3.5mm ones.

--
Chris Green
·

Chris Green <cl@isbd.net> wrote:
> Can anyone recommend and/or suggest where to buy small (as in 3mm or
> thereabouts) stainless steel wood screws?
>
> Searching for them just throws up lots of hits for what are just
> ordinary self-tapping screws which are not ideal for wood.
>
> I want some like the old Screwfix Turbo Ultra screws which were
> specifically for use in wood, had a sharp, self-drilling (type 17) tip
> and held well in wood having a deep thread.
>
> I still have som 3 x 16 Turbo Ultra but they'll run out soon and I
> need other sizes - 3 x 10, 3 x 20, 3 x 30 or similar.
>
> Even 3.5 diameter would be useful though I do still have a reasonable
> stock of Turbo Ultra 3.5mm ones.

https://cpc.farnell.com/w/c/tools-maintenance/ironmongery-screws-fittings/screws-nails-fixings/screws-screw-accessories/wood-screws?thread-size-metric=3.5mm|3mm&st=stainless%20wood%20screws

Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> wrote:
> Chris Green <cl@isbd.net> wrote:
> > Can anyone recommend and/or suggest where to buy small (as in 3mm or
> > thereabouts) stainless steel wood screws?
> >
> > Searching for them just throws up lots of hits for what are just
> > ordinary self-tapping screws which are not ideal for wood.
> >
> > I want some like the old Screwfix Turbo Ultra screws which were
> > specifically for use in wood, had a sharp, self-drilling (type 17) tip
> > and held well in wood having a deep thread.
> >
> > I still have som 3 x 16 Turbo Ultra but they'll run out soon and I
> > need other sizes - 3 x 10, 3 x 20, 3 x 30 or similar.
> >
> > Even 3.5 diameter would be useful though I do still have a reasonable
> > stock of Turbo Ultra 3.5mm ones.
>
> https://cpc.farnell.com/w/c/tools-maintenance/ironmongery-screws-fittings/screws-nails-fixings/screws-screw-accessories/wood-screws?thread-size-metric=3.5mm|3mm&st=stainless%20wood%20screws
>
Thank you, I use CPC a lot anyway, and I had come across the Retinox
screws. That's definitely a start in he righr direction! :-)

--
Chris Green
·

On Sun, 31 Mar 2024 15:05:54 +0100
Chris Green <cl@isbd.net> wrote:

> Can anyone recommend and/or suggest where to buy small (as in 3mm or
> thereabouts) stainless steel wood screws?
>
> Searching for them just throws up lots of hits for what are just
> ordinary self-tapping screws which are not ideal for wood.
>
> I want some like the old Screwfix Turbo Ultra screws which were
> specifically for use in wood, had a sharp, self-drilling (type 17) tip
> and held well in wood having a deep thread.
>
> I still have som 3 x 16 Turbo Ultra but they'll run out soon and I
> need other sizes - 3 x 10, 3 x 20, 3 x 30 or similar.
>
> Even 3.5 diameter would be useful though I do still have a reasonable
> stock of Turbo Ultra 3.5mm ones.
>

If you live anywhere near Bury St. Edmunds, you could try D. J. Evans.
No guarantee, but they do lots of small unusual stuff.

--
Davey.

On 01/04/2024 10:08, Davey wrote:
> On Sun, 31 Mar 2024 15:05:54 +0100
> Chris Green <cl@isbd.net> wrote:
>
>> Can anyone recommend and/or suggest where to buy small (as in 3mm or
>> thereabouts) stainless steel wood screws?
>>
>> Searching for them just throws up lots of hits for what are just
>> ordinary self-tapping screws which are not ideal for wood.
>>
>> I want some like the old Screwfix Turbo Ultra screws which were
>> specifically for use in wood, had a sharp, self-drilling (type 17) tip
>> and held well in wood having a deep thread.
>>
>> I still have som 3 x 16 Turbo Ultra but they'll run out soon and I
>> need other sizes - 3 x 10, 3 x 20, 3 x 30 or similar.
>>
>> Even 3.5 diameter would be useful though I do still have a reasonable
>> stock of Turbo Ultra 3.5mm ones.
>>
>
> If you live anywhere near Bury St. Edmunds, you could try D. J. Evans.
> No guarantee, but they do lots of small unusual stuff.
>
They used to. not sure they still do.

There seem to be very good screws of the sort described on Amazon - e.g.

e.g.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/100pcs-Countersunk-Drilling-Screws-Tapping/dp/B08JCBXW9D/

--
“People believe certain stories because everyone important tells them,
and people tell those stories because everyone important believes them.
Indeed, when a conventional wisdom is at its fullest strength, one’s
agreement with that conventional wisdom becomes almost a litmus test of
one’s suitability to be taken seriously.”

Paul Krugman

The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:
> There seem to be very good screws of the sort described on Amazon - e.g.
>
> e.g.
> https://www.amazon.co.uk/100pcs-Countersunk-Drilling-Screws-Tapping/dp/B08JCBXW9D/

I did have a brief look on Aliexpress which is sometimes a good place to
get unavailable industrial parts, but here it suggested some 'yellow' and
'silver' screws which sound like kind of rusty cheese. I would probably pay
similar attention to anything unbranded sourced from Amazon.

Theo

On 01/04/2024 10:54, Theo wrote:
> The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:
>> There seem to be very good screws of the sort described on Amazon - e.g.
>>
>> e.g.
>> https://www.amazon.co.uk/100pcs-Countersunk-Drilling-Screws-Tapping/dp/B08JCBXW9D/
>
> I did have a brief look on Aliexpress which is sometimes a good place to
> get unavailable industrial parts, but here it suggested some 'yellow' and
> 'silver' screws which sound like kind of rusty cheese. I would probably pay
> similar attention to anything unbranded sourced from Amazon.
>
> Theo
>
>
>
I've had pretty good experience with most 'chinesium' unbranded stuff on
amazon
The only products I will be very wary of from China are semiconductors.
Blew a loudspeaker using 'rebranded' Sinclair style transistors that
were not what they said on the tin.

--
“There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn’t true; the
other is to refuse to believe what is true.”

—Soren Kierkegaard

On Mon, 1 Apr 2024 10:18:09 +0100
The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:

> On 01/04/2024 10:08, Davey wrote:
> > On Sun, 31 Mar 2024 15:05:54 +0100
> > Chris Green <cl@isbd.net> wrote:
> >
> >> Can anyone recommend and/or suggest where to buy small (as in 3mm
> >> or thereabouts) stainless steel wood screws?
> >>
> >> Searching for them just throws up lots of hits for what are just
> >> ordinary self-tapping screws which are not ideal for wood.
> >>
> >> I want some like the old Screwfix Turbo Ultra screws which were
> >> specifically for use in wood, had a sharp, self-drilling (type 17)
> >> tip and held well in wood having a deep thread.
> >>
> >> I still have som 3 x 16 Turbo Ultra but they'll run out soon and I
> >> need other sizes - 3 x 10, 3 x 20, 3 x 30 or similar.
> >>
> >> Even 3.5 diameter would be useful though I do still have a
> >> reasonable stock of Turbo Ultra 3.5mm ones.
> >>
> >
> > If you live anywhere near Bury St. Edmunds, you could try D. J.
> > Evans. No guarantee, but they do lots of small unusual stuff.
> >
> They used to. not sure they still do.
>
> There seem to be very good screws of the sort described on Amazon -
> e.g.
>
> e.g.
> https://www.amazon.co.uk/100pcs-Countersunk-Drilling-Screws-Tapping/dp/B08JCBXW9D/
>

You could try:
www.gwr-fasteners.co.uk

or:

Kebrell Nuts and Bolts,
2 St Helens Way, Thetford, IP24 1HG.

--
Davey.

The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:
> On 01/04/2024 10:08, Davey wrote:
> > On Sun, 31 Mar 2024 15:05:54 +0100
> > Chris Green <cl@isbd.net> wrote:
> >
> >> Can anyone recommend and/or suggest where to buy small (as in 3mm or
> >> thereabouts) stainless steel wood screws?
> >>
> >> Searching for them just throws up lots of hits for what are just
> >> ordinary self-tapping screws which are not ideal for wood.
> >>
> >> I want some like the old Screwfix Turbo Ultra screws which were
> >> specifically for use in wood, had a sharp, self-drilling (type 17) tip
> >> and held well in wood having a deep thread.
> >>
> >> I still have som 3 x 16 Turbo Ultra but they'll run out soon and I
> >> need other sizes - 3 x 10, 3 x 20, 3 x 30 or similar.
> >>
> >> Even 3.5 diameter would be useful though I do still have a reasonable
> >> stock of Turbo Ultra 3.5mm ones.
> >>
> >
> > If you live anywhere near Bury St. Edmunds, you could try D. J. Evans.
> > No guarantee, but they do lots of small unusual stuff.
> >
> They used to. not sure they still do.
>
> There seem to be very good screws of the sort described on Amazon - e.g.
>
> e.g.
> https://www.amazon.co.uk/100pcs-Countersunk-Drilling-Screws-Tapping/dp/B08JCBXW9D/
>
They're exctly what I meant by "just ordinary self-tapping
screws" designed for metal but far from ideal in wood. They're not
sharp and don't have deep enough thread to grip well.

--
Chris Green
·

Davey <davey@example.invalid> wrote:
> On Mon, 1 Apr 2024 10:18:09 +0100
> The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:
>
> > On 01/04/2024 10:08, Davey wrote:
> > > On Sun, 31 Mar 2024 15:05:54 +0100
> > > Chris Green <cl@isbd.net> wrote:
> > >
> > >> Can anyone recommend and/or suggest where to buy small (as in 3mm
> > >> or thereabouts) stainless steel wood screws?
> > >>
> > >> Searching for them just throws up lots of hits for what are just
> > >> ordinary self-tapping screws which are not ideal for wood.
> > >>
> > >> I want some like the old Screwfix Turbo Ultra screws which were
> > >> specifically for use in wood, had a sharp, self-drilling (type 17)
> > >> tip and held well in wood having a deep thread.
> > >>
> > >> I still have som 3 x 16 Turbo Ultra but they'll run out soon and I
> > >> need other sizes - 3 x 10, 3 x 20, 3 x 30 or similar.
> > >>
> > >> Even 3.5 diameter would be useful though I do still have a
> > >> reasonable stock of Turbo Ultra 3.5mm ones.
> > >>
> > >
> > > If you live anywhere near Bury St. Edmunds, you could try D. J.
> > > Evans. No guarantee, but they do lots of small unusual stuff.
> > >
> > They used to. not sure they still do.
> >
> > There seem to be very good screws of the sort described on Amazon -
> > e.g.
> >
> > e.g.
> > https://www.amazon.co.uk/100pcs-Countersunk-Drilling-Screws-Tapping/dp/B08JCBXW9D/
> >
>
> You could try:
> www.gwr-fasteners.co.uk
>
No stainless wood screws at all as far as I can see,

> or:
>
> Kebrell Nuts and Bolts,
> 2 St Helens Way, Thetford, IP24 1HG.
>
Next time I'm that way I might look in (I'm at the other end of Suffolk)
Thought their web site has no wood screws at all.

--
Chris Green
·

The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:
> On 01/04/2024 10:54, Theo wrote:
> > The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:
> >> There seem to be very good screws of the sort described on Amazon - e.g.
> >>
> >> e.g.
> >> https://www.amazon.co.uk/100pcs-Countersunk-Drilling-Screws-Tapping/dp/B08JCBXW9D/
> >
> > I did have a brief look on Aliexpress which is sometimes a good place to
> > get unavailable industrial parts, but here it suggested some 'yellow' and
> > 'silver' screws which sound like kind of rusty cheese. I would probably pay
> > similar attention to anything unbranded sourced from Amazon.
> >
> > Theo
> >
> >
> >
> I've had pretty good experience with most 'chinesium' unbranded stuff on
> amazon
>
OP here, yes I've found the boxes of stainless machine screws and self
tappers from China via Amazon are ok. However I can't find any proper
wood screws.

--
Chris Green
·

On 31/03/2024 15:05, Chris Green wrote:
> Can anyone recommend and/or suggest where to buy small (as in 3mm or
> thereabouts) stainless steel wood screws?
>
> Searching for them just throws up lots of hits for what are just
> ordinary self-tapping screws which are not ideal for wood.
>
> I want some like the old Screwfix Turbo Ultra screws which were
> specifically for use in wood, had a sharp, self-drilling (type 17) tip
> and held well in wood having a deep thread.
>
> I still have som 3 x 16 Turbo Ultra but they'll run out soon and I
> need other sizes - 3 x 10, 3 x 20, 3 x 30 or similar.
>
> Even 3.5 diameter would be useful though I do still have a reasonable
> stock of Turbo Ultra 3.5mm ones.
>
How about trying a marine chandlery? I googled a couple on line and
they are certainly selling what are described as stainless steel wood
screws.

Malcolm

Chris Green wrote:

> Can anyone recommend and/or suggest where to buy small (as in 3mm or
> thereabouts) stainless steel wood screws?

SPAX A2 stainless

<https://www.spax.com/gb-en/p/stainless-steel-screw-full-thread-raised-countersunk-head-t-star-plus-4cut-stainless-steel-a2.html>

Available as 16, 20, 25 and 30mm lengths in 3mm or 3.5mm thread

Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> wrote:
> Chris Green wrote:
>
> > Can anyone recommend and/or suggest where to buy small (as in 3mm or
> > thereabouts) stainless steel wood screws?
>
> SPAX A2 stainless
>
> <https://www.spax.com/gb-en/p/stainless-steel-screw-full-thread-raised-countersunk-head-t-star-plus-4cut-stainless-steel-a2.html>
>
>
> Available as 16, 20, 25 and 30mm lengths in 3mm or 3.5mm thread

Yes! Thank you. I'd not found the Spax screws in such small sizes
before. There's not many sellers seem to have them but I have found a
few.

--
Chris Green
·

On Mon, 1 Apr 2024 14:28:18 +0100
Chris Green <cl@isbd.net> wrote:

> > You could try:
> > www.gwr-fasteners.co.uk
> >
> No stainless wood screws at all as far as I can see,
>
>

Oh well.

> > or:
> >
> > Kebrell Nuts and Bolts,
> > 2 St Helens Way, Thetford, IP24 1HG.
> >
> Next time I'm that way I might look in (I'm at the other end of
> Suffolk) Thought their web site has no wood screws at all.

They helped me with some UNF bolts a few months ago. Even had them in
stock.

Just a suggestion, it might help at some time in the future, even if
not for now.

--
Davey.

On 1 Apr 2024 at 16:59:55 BST, Chris Green wrote:

> Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> wrote:
>> Chris Green wrote:
>>
>>> Can anyone recommend and/or suggest where to buy small (as in 3mm or
>>> thereabouts) stainless steel wood screws?
>>
>> SPAX A2 stainless
>>
>> <https://www.spax.com/gb-en/p/stainless-steel-screw-full-thread-raised-countersunk-head-t-star-plus-4cut-stainless-steel-a2.html>
>>
>>
>> Available as 16, 20, 25 and 30mm lengths in 3mm or 3.5mm thread
>
> Yes! Thank you. I'd not found the Spax screws in such small sizes
> before. There's not many sellers seem to have them but I have found a
> few.

Screwfix - I used them during assembly of some camper fittings, excellent.
--
Cheers, Rob, Sheffield UK

On 1 Apr 2024 at 22:36:06 BST, RJH wrote:

> On 1 Apr 2024 at 16:59:55 BST, Chris Green wrote:
>
>> Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> wrote:
>>> Chris Green wrote:
>>>
>>>> Can anyone recommend and/or suggest where to buy small (as in 3mm or
>>>> thereabouts) stainless steel wood screws?
>>>
>>> SPAX A2 stainless
>>>
>>> <https://www.spax.com/gb-en/p/stainless-steel-screw-full-thread-raised-countersunk-head-t-star-plus-4cut-stainless-steel-a2.html>
>>>
>>>
>>> Available as 16, 20, 25 and 30mm lengths in 3mm or 3.5mm thread
>>
>> Yes! Thank you. I'd not found the Spax screws in such small sizes
>> before. There's not many sellers seem to have them but I have found a
>> few.
>
> Screwfix - I used them during assembly of some camper fittings, excellent.

Spax:
https://www.screwfix.com/c/screws-nails-fixings/stainless-steel-screws/cat7270018?brand=spax&page_size=20&page_start=20
--
Cheers, Rob, Sheffield UK

RJH <patchmoney@gmx.com> wrote:
> On 1 Apr 2024 at 16:59:55 BST, Chris Green wrote:
>
> > Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> wrote:
> >> Chris Green wrote:
> >>
> >>> Can anyone recommend and/or suggest where to buy small (as in 3mm or
> >>> thereabouts) stainless steel wood screws?
> >>
> >> SPAX A2 stainless
> >>
> >> <https://www.spax.com/gb-en/p/stainless-steel-screw-full-thread-raised-countersunk-head-t-star-plus-4cut-stainless-steel-a2.html>
>
> >>
> >>
> >> Available as 16, 20, 25 and 30mm lengths in 3mm or 3.5mm thread
> >
> > Yes! Thank you. I'd not found the Spax screws in such small sizes
> > before. There's not many sellers seem to have them but I have found a
> > few.
>
> Screwfix - I used them during assembly of some camper fittings, excellent.

They only have them down to 3.5mm diameter though don't they? I can't
find any smaller. Plus two out of the three sizes they have are in
small packs of 25 at silly prices, almost 30p per screw. The 200 pack
is more sensible at about 9p per screw.

I am aiming to use them in France on my boat so it's almost certainly
cheaper to buy them there via Amazon, or possibly Screwfix.fr, I'll
take a look.

Screwfix.fr are *slghtly* cheaper for 3.5 x 30 but they also don't
have any smaller (and only 3.5 x 30 in 3.5mm).

--
Chris Green
·

On 2 Apr 2024 at 09:21:15 BST, Chris Green wrote:

> RJH <patchmoney@gmx.com> wrote:
>> On 1 Apr 2024 at 16:59:55 BST, Chris Green wrote:
>>
>>> Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> wrote:
>>>> Chris Green wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Can anyone recommend and/or suggest where to buy small (as in 3mm or
>>>>> thereabouts) stainless steel wood screws?
>>>>
>>>> SPAX A2 stainless
>>>>
>>>> <https://www.spax.com/gb-en/p/stainless-steel-screw-full-thread-raised-countersunk-head-t-star-plus-4cut-stainless-steel-a2.html>
>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Available as 16, 20, 25 and 30mm lengths in 3mm or 3.5mm thread
>>>
>>> Yes! Thank you. I'd not found the Spax screws in such small sizes
>>> before. There's not many sellers seem to have them but I have found a
>>> few.
>>
>> Screwfix - I used them during assembly of some camper fittings, excellent.
>
> They only have them down to 3.5mm diameter though don't they? I can't
> find any smaller. Plus two out of the three sizes they have are in
> small packs of 25 at silly prices, almost 30p per screw. The 200 pack
> is more sensible at about 9p per screw.
>

Ah yes, beg pardon, they only seem to go down to 3.5. Wickes have an own
brand:

https://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Stainless-Steel-Wood-Screws---3-x-20mm---Pack-of-50/p/287672

Might be worth a whirl.

> I am aiming to use them in France on my boat so it's almost certainly
> cheaper to buy them there via Amazon, or possibly Screwfix.fr, I'll
> take a look.
>
> Screwfix.fr are *slghtly* cheaper for 3.5 x 30 but they also don't
> have any smaller (and only 3.5 x 30 in 3.5mm).

--
Cheers, Rob, Sheffield UK

Chris Green wrote:

> RJH <patchmoney@gmx.com> wrote:
>
>> Screwfix - I used them during assembly of some camper fittings, excellent.
>
> They only have them down to 3.5mm diameter though don't they? I can't
> find any smaller. Plus two out of the three sizes they have are in
> small packs of 25 at silly prices, almost 30p per screw. The 200 pack
> is more sensible at about 9p per screw.

The spax website gives you the EAN/barcode part numbers

I found toolnation sell the 3mm, but only minimum units of 5x 200 boxes
- maybe if you phone them they'd let you buy 5 boxes of different length
screws?

RJH <patchmoney@gmx.com> wrote:
> >>
> >> Screwfix - I used them during assembly of some camper fittings, excellent.
> >
> > They only have them down to 3.5mm diameter though don't they? I can't
> > find any smaller. Plus two out of the three sizes they have are in
> > small packs of 25 at silly prices, almost 30p per screw. The 200 pack
> > is more sensible at about 9p per screw.
> >
>
> Ah yes, beg pardon, they only seem to go down to 3.5. Wickes have an own
> brand:
>
> https://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Stainless-Steel-Wood-Screws---3-x-20mm---Pack-of-50/p/287672
>
> Might be worth a whirl.
>
They look like the standard Chinese via Amazon ones, no sharp point,
no rifling, etc.

--
Chris Green
·

On 31/03/2024 15:05, Chris Green wrote:
> Can anyone recommend and/or suggest where to buy small (as in 3mm or
> thereabouts) stainless steel wood screws?
>
> Searching for them just throws up lots of hits for what are just
> ordinary self-tapping screws which are not ideal for wood.
>
> I want some like the old Screwfix Turbo Ultra screws which were
> specifically for use in wood, had a sharp, self-drilling (type 17) tip
> and held well in wood having a deep thread.
>
> I still have som 3 x 16 Turbo Ultra but they'll run out soon and I
> need other sizes - 3 x 10, 3 x 20, 3 x 30 or similar.
>
> Even 3.5 diameter would be useful though I do still have a reasonable
> stock of Turbo Ultra 3.5mm ones.
>

South Essex Fasteners Ebay shop. When I was working this was the "go
to" company to try and find harder to find screws etc.

Maybe
https://tinyurl.com/3dd2e8bs

(many other types listed in their Ebay shop)

https://www.southessexfasteners.com/ebay-bargains.html

Physical outlets Colchester and Southend on Sea

--
mailto : news {at} admac {dot} myzen {dot} co {dot} uk