Questions and Answers for DECKMATE 3-1/2 in. Tan Exterior Self-Starting Star Flat-Head Wood Deck Screws #10 (5 lbs./280 pcs)

A:  there is a Includes T-25 driver bit included in the box

A:  Hello Craig, and thank you for your inquiry. The number refers to the diameter of the screw, a #10 screw is going to be a larger size. Product pricing is important to us and we strive to provide quality products at a fair price. Thank you.

A:  I have not found these in 25lb containers on the web site or in the store for some time now (only 5lb containers). While the web site shows them they are not in stock and cant be ordered. My best advice would be to talk to someone at the pro desk to see if they can get them for you but I would not hold out much hope I'm about to install about 500ft off fencing and would like to get the screws I need in a larger quantity too.

A:  That would be a question for the manufacturer. FYI, Deckmate is a solid brand for building a deck or installing a fence.

A:  these screws are non structural fasteners, we do not provide load values.

A:  not stainless but coated I have used them on decks for years rain snow sun no discoloration around wood I would say go

A:  All I know is that they will last a lifetime--read info on the box.

A:  For all the screws I have used over the years I never ran into this problem ......Take em into the store im sure from all the times I have been to home depot there will be an open box or a broken box and ill bet they will give you the three defective screws ............................

A:  Contact home depot or the manufacturer directly. BT2, 3 out of 243 is not out of line in a mass production company. You just got unlucky. I have bought the 10lb and 25lb boxes and had 2 to 3 bad ones total.

A:  Have never had a defective deckmate screw--have used over 20,000 of them.

A:  Yes and new thread desing makes fast start quick drive great hold .............

A:  Self drilling into wood, yes, the little notch in the tip helps cut into wood and another little sharp edge on the underside of the head helps cut a countersink for its self. If you mean are they self tapping for metal, then no.

A:  I believe they are into wood--but I still drill a pilot hole slightly smaller than the screw.

A:  call the store

A:  Yes

A:  It doesn't need a pilot hole unless the wood is very thin, in which case, this may not even be the right type of screw for your job. You can use any drill bit that is smaller than the screw if you want to. As for countersink, these screws have a cutting edge on the bottom of the head that makes its own countersink on its way in...

A:  I used a 1/4" bit. I did not use a countersink cutter. I countersunk the screw just fine without it.

A:  Something smaller than the screw

A:  The screw is designed to not require a pilot hole or a countersink. The underside of the screw head has ridges to dig into the wood and not just wedge in. The shank of the screw also is designed to chew the wood as it screws in and not just wedge the wood out of its way.

A:  no pilot hole needed unless you are at the end of piece of wood and worried about splitting in which case bit just smaller than shank .............

A:  This type of screw doesn't need a pilot hole, it has a small sharp edge on the tip that helps cut its way in. It also has a small sharp edge on the bottom of the head that drills its own countersink when you drive it in.

A:  Any lumber or hardware store

A:  A T-25 star drive bit is included in the box or can be purchased separately.

A:  not needed they will sink in when you drive em with the new thread design if you don't watch you will go thru the wood there that good and start fast