FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Piffin Screw Alert

MarineEngineer | Posted in Construction Techniques on February 28, 2005 07:36am

In Manhattan this morning, going to open houses in my quest for NYC housing. Walking south on Broadway at 111th street, when I see a bunch of unfinished bookcases outside a store. What caught my eye was that they were

held together with Piffin Screws!

Marine Engineer

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. DougU | Feb 28, 2005 07:42am | #1

    What the hell is a piffin screw?

    If you're referring to sheetrock screws, all black screws are not sheetrock screws!

    The person that built these things could have at least put a plug in the damn hole.

    Doug

    1. alwaysoverbudget | Feb 28, 2005 07:46am | #2

      whats a PIFFIN screw! man you got to do a search and get educated on these,they are the fall of mankind [or a least a few kitchen cadinets] i believe there might even be a website by now. larryhand me the chainsaw, i need to trim the casing just a hair.

      1. DougU | Feb 28, 2005 08:05am | #8

        Larry, I've been around here awhile.

        I was just making an observation about the black screw!

        Plus I dont think that the sheetrock screw is all that bad!

        Doug

      2. JohnT8 | Mar 01, 2005 07:22pm | #31

        whats a PIFFIN screw! man you got to do a search and get educated on these,they are the fall of mankind [or a least a few kitchen cadinets] i believe there might even be a website by now. larry

        He would be looking ALL DAY if he did a search for them.  You have any idea how many posts make reference to 'piffin screws'?!

        If someone every compiles a BT FAQ, that should be on the definitions list.

         jt8

        The reason so many people never get anywhere in life is because when opportunity knocks, they are out in the backyard looking for four-leaf clovers.    -- Walter Percy Chrysler

    2. User avater
      MarineEngineer | Feb 28, 2005 07:49am | #3

      I suspect that someone who would leave the screws unplugged would use authentic Piffin screws, but I can't be sure.Marine Engineer

      1. User avater
        MarineEngineer | Feb 28, 2005 07:52am | #4

        and just for sh!ts and giggles, here's a shot of "the gates" revealedMarine Engineer

        1. Piffin | Feb 28, 2005 08:01am | #6

          No wonder they cos t so much 

           

          Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

        2. Phat | Feb 28, 2005 09:19am | #12

          Nothing new, been doing that for years. This shot is of some steel tube shelving. There is a nut welded on the inside of the tubing, so the nut showing is just a jamb nut. It make for a very easy adjustments.

          Never underestimate your ability to overestimate your ability

    3. Piffin | Feb 28, 2005 07:59am | #5

      Shhhh. I did put them together with good black anodized screws. I just put the plugs in a baggie taped to the back of the unit so the new owner could re-assemble the thing at home in case they had to dis-assemble it to fit it on the back of their moped.Guess I might have screwed up on this one, letting them show even temporarily tho, Hunh? getting to be where screws is a verb lately 

       

      Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

      1. DougU | Feb 28, 2005 08:08am | #9

        Good thinking on the plugs in the baggies!

        Saves work for you and makes it look like your helping the consumer.   ;)

        Doug

    4. User avater
      CapnMac | Feb 28, 2005 07:06pm | #16

      could have at least put a plug in the damn hole

      No lie, or some putty, anything, especially with a $90 price tag on $45 shelves . . . Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)

      1. User avater
        IMERC | Feb 28, 2005 08:00pm | #17

        40$ of that 45 covers the greed.. what more do you want..

        Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming

        WOW!!!   What a Ride!

  2. blue_eyed_devil | Feb 28, 2005 08:03am | #7

    Those look like cheap foreign drywall screws to me! Does Piffin actually use that stuff?

    blue

    Just because you can, doesn't mean you should!

    Warning! Be cautious when taking any framing advice from me. There are some in here who think I'm a hackmeister...they might be right! Of course, they might be wrong too!

    1. User avater
      MarineEngineer | Feb 28, 2005 08:12am | #10

      You'll have to ask Piffin himself. BTW, how's the blog going?Marine Engineer

      1. blue_eyed_devil | Feb 28, 2005 08:41am | #11

        Hehehe, I haven't looked in. It;s probably still got my opening post.

        blueJust because you can, doesn't mean you should!

        Warning! Be cautious when taking any framing advice from me. There are some in here who think I'm a hackmeister...they might be right! Of course, they might be wrong too!

  3. Phat | Feb 28, 2005 05:22pm | #13

    Ok - now this thread's gonna get deleted...

    Never underestimate your ability to overestimate your ability

    1. andybuildz | Feb 28, 2005 06:40pm | #14

      : )My daughters were born with AndyscrewsThe secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!

      When we meet, we say, Namaste'..it means..

        I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides,

      I honor the place in you of love, of light, of truth, of peace.

      I honor the place within you where if you are in that place in you

      and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us.

       

       

       

       

  4. User avater
    IMERC | Feb 28, 2005 07:02pm | #15

    go back and detlete that before ace gets to the thread..

    Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming

    WOW!!!   What a Ride!

  5. JohnSprung | Mar 01, 2005 05:05am | #18

    > Walking south on Broadway at 111th street,

    There's the problem right there.  I was always told never to go North of 110 th st.  Not even in the daytime.  ;-)  Or is Harlem a safer place to be now?

     

    -- J.S.

     

    1. User avater
      MarineEngineer | Mar 01, 2005 05:18am | #19

      quite a nice neighborhood these days. Of course, it's technically Mornigside Heights right there. Harlem is still a bit north. The open house was on 114th street between Broadway and Riverside, a cute place, but I found a place I liked better.

      And the seller (it was a FSBO) called me tonight to accept my offer, so soon, baring any catastrophes, I'll be a NYC resident. The apartment is in a building on 69th and Broadway, a nice tiny studio.

      Marine Engineer

      1. JohnSprung | Mar 02, 2005 05:05am | #33

        So you're not far from my friend Mark Schubin.  He's on 73rd or 74th a couple blocks west of the park.  He's a freelance TV engineer, does all the Lincoln Center stuff for PBS.

         

        -- J.S.

         

        1. User avater
          MarineEngineer | Mar 02, 2005 05:32am | #34

          If the purchase goes through, I'll be in that neighborhood. The co-op I'm buying is on 69th and Broadway. But I still have to get approved by the co-op board, not always a slam dunk.Marine Engineer

    2. highfigh | Mar 01, 2005 05:23am | #20

      Doesn't Slick Willie have his office in Harlem now?
      "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."

      1. User avater
        MarineEngineer | Mar 01, 2005 05:25am | #21

        and why not? He's the first black president.Marine Engineer

    3. Jemcon | Mar 01, 2005 05:38am | #23

      It's funny, Harlem used to start on 106th St but somehow it got moved up town more. I still don't know how they moved the County line!

      I used to drive up 1st ave to 125th St alot to get on the FDR. I didn't like it after 10:00 especially in the summer. My white a$$ always stood out like a sore thumb. 

       

       

      Headstong, I'll take on anyone!

  6. Jemcon | Mar 01, 2005 05:33am | #22

    I'm in Jersey, maybe i'll make a few of them with piffin screws and you can sell them for me. Buy the way, why all the way up on 111st ?

     

     

     

    Headstong, I'll take on anyone!

    1. User avater
      MarineEngineer | Mar 01, 2005 05:43am | #24

      affordability. Looked at a place listed for $269K. But made an offer (which was accepted for $310K) for a studio on the corner of 69th and Broadway. Nicer neighborhood (at least for me) and a good building with a doorman, essential for when I go to sea.Marine Engineer

      1. alwaysoverbudget | Mar 01, 2005 07:37am | #25

         i just have to make a observation here from the praire land. affordable at 310k  wow! here in wichita ks i guess we have around 150 thousand houses [pop 400k] and for 310 you could buy 95% of them. that is just incredible, we always hear about cailf. and ny but it's beyond my comprehension.do you get a parking space/garage with that? if i sold my 300sf house i might be able to afford a garage there,and live in my car.lol larryhand me the chainsaw, i need to trim the casing just a hair.

        1. User avater
          MarineEngineer | Mar 01, 2005 07:48am | #26

          $310,000 buys me a tiny studio in a doorman building in a good neighborhood. I could've gotten more space for less money in a lesser neighborhood, or in a building without a doorman.I spend 6-7 months a year at sea, so I want a place with good security. So a doorman building was almost a must. Sure, it's expensive, but it's reasonable compared to what's out there.I bought my house on Long Island 11 years ago for $105,500. Now it's worth $280K. Bought 2 rentals with about $5k to $10K down, they more than doubled in price; I've sold one, and the other is in contract, and I'm using the proceeds to put a downpayment on this place.So my monthly will be about $1500 including maintenance on the building, and I'll be in the heart of Manhattan. My current house is a 2 family, so I'll rent my half and have a positive cash flow. Living lean for a few years paid off.It's expensive, but I love NYC and think it's worth the investment.Marine Engineer

          1. andybuildz | Mar 01, 2005 09:52am | #27

            45 min to Manhatten and you can't even rent a garage for that kinda money....good going dude.
            Be well.....catch ya at KAtz's deli sumtime.
            a...The secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!

            When we meet, we say, Namaste'..it means..

              I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides,

            I honor the place in you of love, of light, of truth, of peace.

            I honor the place within you where if you are in that place in you

            and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us.

             

             

             

             

          2. Nails | Mar 01, 2005 05:32pm | #28

            All......You guys on the east coast [N.Y.] fasinate my with the numbers . I just built and sold a 3bd rm , 2bath ,on a basement with a 3car garage on a 80x 100 lot in a nice sub-division for $148.000. Here in central Illinois we are worlds apart but do the same thing . I am looking forward to an East coast vacation and enjoy your post's. ..( oh and that house had elec. AND hot and cold running water WITH indoor plumbing ....hehe)

          3. andybuildz | Mar 01, 2005 05:55pm | #29

            wait'll TipiFest next year...you'll get a glimpse of the real world....lol.......For $148 you get your wife you and two kids into the movies....lol.
            No kidding...you know what it costs to go to a play in NYC....Google it.
            Its terrifying...yet on the other hand, the culture here is beyond belief between art, music, theater....etc etc...if its trees ya just want well then......no kidding.and I ain't putting that down at all!!!
            Be well bro
            a...The secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!

            When we meet, we say, Namaste'..it means..

              I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides,

            I honor the place in you of love, of light, of truth, of peace.

            I honor the place within you where if you are in that place in you

            and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us.

             

             

             

             

          4. User avater
            MarineEngineer | Mar 01, 2005 11:54pm | #32

            The culture is great, you said it. Saturday night, after apartment hunting, I went to a free concert at the Juilliard school, it was the pre-college symphony, and those kids were awesome. The auditorium was packed, the music went on for nearly two hours. The program was Haydn: Symphony #99 in E-flat Major; Stravinsky: Violin Concerto (and the girl violin soloist, 17 years old, was amazing); and Bernstein: Symphonic Dances from West Side Story.And you can find great food really cheap. Especially at lunchtime, you can feast like a king for less than $10 at a lot of places.So, yeah, the housing is expensive, but to me it's worth it.Marine Engineeredit for spelling

            Edited 3/1/2005 3:57 pm ET by Marine Engineer

          5. Nails | Mar 02, 2005 05:12pm | #35

            A.C......Here in the area of Springfield Il. , with a population of just over 100,000 I think the biggest cultural events are the two County fairs and a goat roppin that I've been to. I read the posts from your area and it gives me a real life feeling beside the usual negative newspaper articles that most mid-westerners are recieving. I think it would be great for a "foriegn exchange " deal that you would come to my area and work with us for a week or so and in turn we would do the the same in your area. What we have in common is "building" ,what we think about is what its really like in those "far away places"...........Be kind to yourself.

          6. andybuildz | Mar 02, 2005 06:45pm | #36

            nails
            Sounds like a nice plan. Keep me informed bro.
            Be well
            andyThe secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!

            When we meet, we say, Namaste'..it means..

              I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides,

            I honor the place in you of love, of light, of truth, of peace.

            I honor the place within you where if you are in that place in you

            and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us.

             

             

             

             

          7. JohnT8 | Mar 01, 2005 07:19pm | #30

            Hey, nails, what's you company name?  Do you stick right around Petersburg, or cover all of central IL?

             jt8

            The reason so many people never get anywhere in life is because when opportunity knocks, they are out in the backyard looking for four-leaf clovers.    -- Walter Percy Chrysler

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Affordable Scans, Accurate Plans

Hover's smartphone app offers an easier way to get precise 3D scans.

Featured Video

Video: Build a Fireplace, Brick by Brick

Watch mason Mike Mehaffey construct a traditional-style fireplace that burns well and meets current building codes.

Related Stories

  • Affordable Scans, Accurate Plans
  • FHB Summit 2025 — Design, Build, Business
  • A Summer Retreat Preserved in the Catskill Mountains
  • Fine Homebuilding Issue #332 Online Highlights

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2024
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers
  • Issue 327 - November 2024
    • Repairing Damaged Walls and Ceilings
    • Plumbing Protection
    • Talking Shop

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data