Screws for Baby Plates, Etc.

[Steve London]

What kind of screws, size and length, come on the truck or do you prefer to use for anchoring baby plates to pancakes, walls, ceilings, flats, etc? I'm usually stuck with something, (1 1/2" long grabbers) that goes right through the wood and out the other side.

 

Any better suggestions?

[Daniel Wallens]

What ends up coming on a truck and what might ideally be used are hardly ever the same thing.

 

For screwing a plate (baby or junior receiver) into a pancake, 1-inch #6 coarse thread drywall screws work best. 1 1/4" will also work, but the screw may stick out a little bit on the other side of the wood. Also keep in mind that, depending on the situation, you can use other size apple boxes as well, if only longer screws are available.

 

As for screwing plates into other surfaces, it really depends on the surface. Different metals will work best in different materials, and it also depends on how secure (how much weight) you want the plate to carry (for instance, if it's hanging). It's best to have a variety of sheet metal, wood, drywall, masonry, etc. screws of varying length on hand, but drywall screws are by far what I end up using most and find completely adequate for most tasks.

 

-DW

Edited February 2, 2009 by Daniel Wallens