Replies

1. 
   gdavis62 | Apr 29, 2005 02:21am | #1

   I have put together a lot of cab carcases made from melamine-faced particleboard, always with a combination of dowels and confirmat screws.  The confirmats work so well, that I cannot imagine another screw type working better.  I have no experience with the "particleboard" screw you mention.

   I'll bet the particleboard screws are less expensive than the confirmats.  If they were equal in performance and installation ease to the confirmats, then all the KD cab people would be switching to them.  But, I still see the KD cab people shipping kits with confirmats.

   I should qualify my experience by saying I've only worked with KD kits from Vass, Cab Parts, and Scherr's Cabinets and Doors.  I've no experience with the KD kits you can buy at the bigbox stores.

   Do you plan on investing in jigs, fixtures, and line drilling equipment?  There are a whole lotta holes to precision bore in making eurocabs like these.  Add up all your material costs, figure what your time is worth, and get to a bottom line.  Then get a next-day quote from one or all of the folks I've named above, and make up your mind.

    

1. 
   davebr | Apr 29, 2005 02:15pm | #11

   Ok, I have a fairly well outfitted shop since I have been woodworking for a few years so making a jig to line things up for my drill press is not a problem. The reason that I ask this question is looking out on Cabinetmart they sell the confirmat screws for $69 and particle board screws for $27 for 1000. It sounds like the confirmat screws are the best although very expensive.

   I thank everyone for their respones which are very helpful. This is the first time I have ever used one of these chat rooms or message boards, but this is quite good.

2. 
   DougU | Apr 29, 2005 02:40am | #2

   Dave

   I've build plenty of cabinets using particle board.  I have put them together with your common variety black(sheetrock looking screw) screw.

   Never had any real problems with them coming apart.

   Also have built plenty using screws that are meant for particle board.

   Given the choice I'd use  any of the screws that are designed for particle board over a common black screw.

   Doug 

1. 
   Nails | Apr 29, 2005 03:06am | #4

   Doug....OH NOOOOOOOO, you used Piffin screws? :)

1. 
   HeavyDuty | Apr 29, 2005 03:31am | #6

   Worse, he used "black(sheetrock looking screw) screw".

   Those are knockoff Piffin screws from Wally Mart.

   Just when you think you've got a good idea, somebody copies it.

1. 
   SteveInCleveland | Apr 29, 2005 02:28pm | #12

   Does this mean you wouldn't recommend he use duct tape either?  ;) 

    

    

   "Preach the Gospel at all times; if necessary, use words."  - St. Francis of Assisi

1. 
   HeavyDuty | Apr 30, 2005 04:13am | #16

   Only the authentic one. :)

2. 
   DougU | Apr 29, 2005 04:25am | #8

   I knew that was coming!

   Yea, I use sheetrock screws and never have a problem. :)

   Dont believe everything you read.

   Doug

3. 
   timothale | Apr 29, 2005 03:05am | #3

   I used to work for Atari building the arcade games. WE did a lot of tests of screw and cabinet construction. the coin video games got to bounce around alot riding across the country and sometimes to europe. or being dropped out of the back of a truck by a small time operator who didn't have a tommy lift tailgate.  The screw companies developed a lot of particle board screws for us and the worked better than what was available then.  Dry wall screws are for drywall, get a http://www.mcfeely catalog.

4. 
   Nails | Apr 29, 2005 03:28am | #5

   davebr...Check out the "Kreg Jig" system and thier screws.

5. 
   DanH | Apr 29, 2005 04:23am | #7

   I think a lot depends on the specific use. The specialty screws probably do hold a bit better per fastener, but this is mainly important in situations such as KD cabinets where often a manual screwdriver will be used for assembly and the minimum number of fasteners are desired. The Confirmat screws allow insertion in a pre-bored hole with reasonably minimal insertion torque (and relatively few turns) but with a pull-out force that is on par with or better than a machine-driven screw of the DW flavor. The larger diameter of the Confirmat screw also allows it to add some stiffness to the joint.

   If you're using power equipment, however, the incentive to minimize the number of fasteners and the torque required for insertion is largely gone. In such a case DW-style screws inserted in "tight" pilot holes at about twice the typical schedule for Confirmats probably will provide equivalent or superior joints.

1. 
   davebr | Apr 29, 2005 01:48pm | #10

   Thank you, very much this helps.

6. 
   gdavis62 | Apr 29, 2005 04:43am | #9

   I asked about confirmat screws and whether any other screw was equal or better, in joining particleboard carcases, over at Woodweb's cabinetmaking forum.

   Here is a snip from the first response:

   Not that I know of! We've used Confirmats for years and have tested sample cases to destruction; they are really a steel dowel with the ability to clamp. They are not expensive when you consider what they accomplish.

   Here is the second response:

   Also, they are the only screw approved by the AWI.

   
   

   ---

   Edited 4/29/2005 6:18 am ET by Gene Davis

7. 
   woodguy99 | Apr 29, 2005 08:28pm | #13

   When I am forced to use particleboard, Confirmat screws are the only way I'll go.  I use a portable drill-press jig (available at Rockler and Woodcraft) and the Confirmat stepped drill.  Once assembled the boxes are bulletproof.

   I use sheetrock screws for plywood boxes, but in melamine they either break off or spin out.

   Pocket screws are great for their intended uses.  Biting into particleboard isn't one of them.

    

   Mike

1. 
   reinvent | Apr 30, 2005 12:59am | #14

   You should send your boxes over to Iraq.

1. 
   woodguy99 | Apr 30, 2005 04:02am | #15

   And drive up the price of particleboard?