What is most likely cause of screw stripping

Red Squirrel

I was screwing a 2x2 against the joice so the drywaller can screw a sheet to it instead of trying to screw on half the joyce. For Each screw it seemed to always strip. They were square screws which normally go well. This just did not go well at all and I stripped every single one of them. Should I normally predrill when using screws in wood? Could it be my bits being in need of replacement? They are rather old.

DangerMouse

if the joist is hardwood, you need to predrill, yes.
or the screws are made in china?

DM

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diy'er on LI

I've noticed some screws are made from really soft metal... I tend to shred those... then again, I'm also known to destroy cheap screwdrivers (not exactly the most skilled DIY'er)

definitely drill pilot holes... you may need to buy different screws, but honestly, when you find bum hardware like that, it's pretty obvious. you'd know right away. you just begin screwing them in (when the resistance is still minimal) and the whole screw head gets destroyed... It's fairly rare....

Red Squirrel

It seemed to happen when the screw was about half way. I will go ahead and guess the joists were hardwood, maybe ceder or something. Is that something common? I always assume most house framing/roofing is made with pine, but I may be assuming wrong.

diy'er on LI

Not that it helps your situation, but the framing of our home (circa 1975) is made from some seriously hardcore hardwood. I don't know what variety, though.

joan smith

Sometimes its the bit, they are making these cheaper as well, most floor joist are southern yellow pine but could be something else, probably just working over your head and maybe not able to get enough push into it.

Termite

Square drive screws are nearly impossible to strip out. You might have got your hands on some poorly made screws. You of course have to have firm bit contact as well.

Rubbing your screws in some paraffin wax or candle wax will help reduce friction as they're driven in.

You shouldn't be using screws for structural framing by the way.

diy'er on LI

why? I'm curious

Termite

Screws are great for sheetrock and installing things like decking and handrail parts because they have good pull-out resistance and they draw the two pieces together. However, they lack the shear strength that nails have and are therefore not recognized by the code for structural applications. Can't use them for framing, can't use them in joist hangers and structural connectors. Deck screws are for screwing deck boards down and other little miscellansous uses.

There are structural screws that do have a place in certain applications. Ledgerlock screws are great for attaching deck ledgers to a home and are listed for that use. SDS-type screws are often used in timber construction or to fasten heavy-duty lumber connectors. Deck screws and similar screws are wimpy in comparison.

diy'er on LI

never knew that.... thanks for the explanation