Need special bolts - for wooden hayrack

RayP(MI) · May 30, 2009

Looking for a bolt like a 1/4" x 3 1/2" lagscrew. EXCEPT that I need a rounded head, with the profile of a carrage bolt (no square under the head,) and some means of driving it from the top - maybe a phillips X on the top. This will be used to attach floor boards to main beams, and I want as low a profile head as possible. No, I don"t want to use deck screws. Seen too many failures on them.

Do they make such a bolt? What do they call them? Where can I get them?

Janicholson · May 30, 2009

Tapcon concrete bolts are a possible answer. They can be driven flush, or deeper W/O grief. My trailer is screwed down with them and they are still blue, no rust, no issues. Pilot drill the holes through the plank, or they will not pull things together. JimN

mazemeister · May 30, 2009

check out "socket head cap screws" under the fastening and sealing section of mcmaster.com

rankrank1 · May 30, 2009

"Button Head Cap screws" have a much lower profile than "Socket Head cap screws" BHCS cap screws have a rounded head like a carriage bolt, except with an Allen head in the middle.
The black ones in color will be grade #8 bolts. You should be able to get stainless as well, but the stainless will only be a little over grade #2.

That said I do not know if they offer them in a wood screw type thread. Most that I have seen utilize traditional threads that utilize a tapped hole or a nut.

rankrank1 · May 30, 2009

"Button Head Cap screws" have a much lower profile than "Socket Head cap screws" BHCS cap screws have a rounded head like a carriage bolt, except with an Allen head in the middle.
The black ones in color will be grade #8 bolts. You should be able to get stainless as well, but the stainless will only be a little over grade #2.

That said I do not know if they offer them in a wood screw type thread. Most that I have seen utilize traditional threads that utilize a tapped hole or a nut.

wingnut · May 30, 2009

Why not use the screws they use for commercial trailers (like they use to attach the wood to flatbed trailers)? You can get them at about any trailer supply or good trailer dealer, they come in different lengths and screw down flush

kyhayman · May 30, 2009

Check out Grangers online catalog. They may list something that works for you.

GeneMO · May 30, 2009

Not quite sure how you are attaching what to what, but we always put hayracks and feed troughs together with carrige head bolts and nuts and washers on the other end. Our Farm and home store carried them in several sizes but we would use 3/8 X 6 1/2. Bolted through a 4X4 and 2X10 or whatever. We would just tap the bolts in and the square shoulder would sink in the wood. Worked for my dad all of his 73 years.

Gene

Lefty · May 30, 2009

"Elevator" bolts and nuts

RAB · May 31, 2009

Counter-bore the holes so the heads are flush with the surface and use coach screws? Bore through and bolt?
Wondering how screws fail in that mode - not exactly any great load, as presumably gravity will be acting perpendicular to the surface.

RAB

Bob · May 31, 2009

.

SCREW IT

MarkB_MI · May 31, 2009

I assume you need something that you will drive into wood rather than steel.

Our local lumberyard carries what are called "construction screws". I quit using lag screws because the chinese stuff you buy these days is so soft that half the time you twist the heads off trying to drive them in pressure-treated lumber. These are available in different head shapes including flat, round and truss, and in lengths up to eight inches or more. They are not cheap. All the ones I've seen are star (Torx) drive. You can get them in either solid stainless steel or with a corrosion-resistant finish; presumably the stainless screws are weaker. These screws come in fairly small diameters, but seem to be much tougher than either deck screws or lags.

Google on "construction screws" and you should find something suitable for your purposes. Ace Hardware carries them in a few sizes, as well.

GordoSD · May 31, 2009

I just finished my wagon I found screws called "Spax Power Lags" made in Germany. They are gold anodized plated, have a torx 30 socket in them and come in 1/4 x 3. Sold seperately packaged for 27 cents ea. The head looks like a large round head wood screw with about a 1/2 inch diameter flat washer underneath, but of course it is all one piece.
Look fabulous, and won't let water in.
I found them at Menard's in SD

GordoSD · May 31, 2009

Did a little googling and found them, yep made by spax and they are called "washer head torx" screws. 1/4 x 3 gold zinc.

Gordo

RayP(MI) · May 31, 2009

Looks like what I"m lookin for! Spax Lag.. Thanks, Guys! Now I gotta find a local source. Ace hardware man says local lumber yard has something similar...... Getting on the phone tomorrow!

MarkB_MI · Jun 1, 2009

Ray, I went out to my shop to see what I have, and the screws I've been using are Hillman "Power Pro" screws. I have some stainless flat head screws and some "bronze ceramic" round lags. The lags are 5/16" and VERY tough.

I'm pretty sure I bought these from the local Ace Hardware. Here's a link to the Hillman site.
Hillman Power Pro construction screws

Need special bolts - for wooden hayrack

RayP(MI)

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Janicholson

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mazemeister

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rankrank1

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rankrank1

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wingnut

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kyhayman

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GeneMO

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Lefty

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RAB

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Bob

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MarkB_MI

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GordoSD

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GordoSD

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RayP(MI)

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