Quote:
Originally Posted by wxmixte
Morning all!
Just wondering what kind of hardware we should use to attach our Table Brackets the back of the fiberglass trailer wall?
The brackets we have are just like the ones used in Bolers and Scamps ( like these), just want to make sure we choose the right screws to help support the weight of our table.
Thanks!
Ashley
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A #10 stainless steel sheet metal screw.
Because you are likely screwing into 3/4" thick wood that will give you a maximum length.
However one factor for sheet metal screws is that they have a pointed tip and of course taper on up to the full width of a #10. So because it is a relatively short depth the gripping power is not always all that might be desired for the stress being placed on the fasteners. But there is a solution to it if you have the right tool for the job. First drill your small diameter pilot hole then insert a sheet metal screw of the correct length to establish the threading into the wood. Then remove it this step establishes the path for the next screw that will be the one you are going to use to fasten the object, that screw is one that you will need to modify. To create it take a next size longer sheet metal screw of the same diameter and trim off that pointed end leaving just a small amount of the taper. That gives you a screw with a lot more gripping power that will be easy to insert into the starting threads you established with the shorter pointed screw.
To shorter a screw you will need to firmly clamp onto the head of the screw with vise grip pliers, the screw is too small and will get too hot to hold it in your fingers so don't do that. Wear safety glasses, the air born tiny bits of metal generated when cutting can scratch your eyes and/or the lenses of your regular prescription glasses. To do the cutting I use a fiber reinforced cut off disk in my Dremel motor for trimming the screws to a shorter length. Those disc will cut through a stainless steel screw. This is a task I do quite often when working on fiberglass RVs whether it is for fastening into some wood furring strips or putting in things such as inlet and outlet ports for plumbing and
electrical.
The fiber reinforced cut off disc I use for this task mount onto a little 1/8" shaft. You can get them in the Dremel accessory tool cases at the stores. In smaller hardware stores such as Ace and True value they are also available in the "Forney" section which is an accessory group of small tools being
sold under the brand name Forney. Pretty amazing little cut off disc for creating a mini die grinder. They will even cut through the shank of a padlock or through a rusted bolt. Very handy to have in your tool box.