High quality screws needed

[yellowshark]

OK before Les hijacks this ;D, I am sure one of you engineers out there can help.

I need to screw some window hardware onto oak frames, so

1. Where can I get some HQ screws from
2. How will I know a pack of HQ screws when I see one
3. Can I use an electic screwdriver or should I do it manually to feel the tightness. ( I will be drilling a pilot hole for each one)

[keitheroonie]

Use brass screws from somewhere like screwfix if they're brass fittings, or stainless steel if they're silver finsh.
Drill a pilot hole first and then screw them in by hand, you're more likely to get them in straight then.

HTH

[lesbaldry]

Oak can be very hard to screw into even with a pilot hole and brass screws can easily shear the heads off on the way in,leaving a nasty broken off screw thats a pain to remove!!...rub the screw thread in candle/Bee's wax befor fitting!!(old boat builders tip)

[Gary]

Les is right in what he says but the pilot hole needs to be very near to the size of screw as the oak has very little give in it, also try to avoid steel screws as the oak will rot them and they will turn black together with the wood around them. Candle/Bee's wax top tip.

[yellowshark]

Jan 6, 2009 8:24:28 GMT Gary said:

Les is right in what he says but the pilot hole needs to be very near to the size of screw as the oak has very little give in it, also try to avoid steel screws as the oak will rot them and they will turn black together with the wood around them. Candle/Bee's wax top tip.

Thanks for all your tips guys, much appreciated. The fittings are shiney/chromey colour - so what should I use instead of "steel" screws?

[keitheroonie]

Stainless steel screws are fine in oak. I think gary was refering to standard steel screws.

[Gary]

Thats right keith I was but stainless should be fine

[catapult]

not gonna pinch him any from work then gary hehehe