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Bear,
There are, indeed, conformat screws still available. The only place I’ve ever bought them myself is through an Anchorage, Alaska supplier, Hardware Specialties, but I’ll bet your local melamine supplier could get in touch with a regional distributor, and eventually find what you want. The screws are incredibly effective for use with MDF and melamine. They don’t snap off or strip out, and will hold a butt joint like you wouldn’t believe. If you don’t already know, they require a special drill bit, which pilots, counterbores and countersinks, all in one operation. And then, you need a special screwdriver. It’s similar to a phillips, but is different enough that you’ll probably want one. This stuff doesn’t come cheap, but if you do much MDF of melamine work, I’ll bet you’ll be happier than using the garden variety fasteners.
Tom Laing
Replies
*
Bear,
There are, indeed, conformat screws still available. The only place I've ever bought them myself is through an Anchorage, Alaska supplier, Hardware Specialties, but I'll bet your local melamine supplier could get in touch with a regional distributor, and eventually find what you want. The screws are incredibly effective for use with MDF and melamine. They don't snap off or strip out, and will hold a butt joint like you wouldn't believe. If you don't already know, they require a special drill bit, which pilots, counterbores and countersinks, all in one operation. And then, you need a special screwdriver. It's similar to a phillips, but is different enough that you'll probably want one. This stuff doesn't come cheap, but if you do much MDF of melamine work, I'll bet you'll be happier than using the garden variety fasteners.
Tom Laing
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We routinely fasten plywood (as well as MDF - I don't use particle board) with confirmat screws. We use a 2-in-long confirmat for which we drill with a fairly expensive, stepped, multiple radius drill bit ('bout $40). We don't use one of those expensive drill mounted alignment devises, but instead have gotten good at shooting straight by eye. The screws not only have more holding power (without glue), because of their far greater diameter than say a #8 by 2-in. screw, but they also maintain alignment since they're like a dowel attachment as well. We fasten carcase corners with at least two screws, and space them about 8-in. on centers on wide, base cabinet casework. Screwed together cabinets are stronger than stapled and you can easily disassemble them for alterations or to fix those inevitable screw-ups (no pun intended).
I buy about 1,000 screws per month from wholesale suppliers, such as: MacMurray Pacific (San Francisco), 415-552-5500; and Hafele, 800-423-3531. If you call one of these and they won't sell direct to you, ask for a retailer near your home.
*Thank you, Mr. Weisenburger;I was able to order some from Hafele.Thanks for the help.In the words of Vernon Jordan... "mission accomplished".
*
Does anyone have any experience w/
confirmat screws? Are the better than
other screws for working with melamine
or MDF? If so where can you get them?
Thank you.
*Bear; we used them in cabinetmaking school years ago, have never seen anyone use them in the real world (which is not to say they aren't the best thing since sliced bread). Everyone i know uses particleboard screws, available from cabinet hardware suppliers. They have a Lo-root thread and selfcountersinking head. Most cabinet guys like #6 x 2". You can usually get away without drilling a pilot hole in melamine, you still need one into MDF edges. Night and day from wood screws, I use them for everything. Hope this helps