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I am about to build a raised garden bed using 200 x 50 sleepers. What grade of 75mm galv screws should I use? What type of head would be best - Phillips head, hex, other?
thanks
Richard
Solved! See most helpful response
Also - what size drill bit for pre drilling the above?
Thanks
Hi @TKG,
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.
Generally, in landscaping applications, you would use what is referred to as bugle/batten screws. The head type isn't super important, as it is just a method of rotating the screw, but from my experience, hex head or torx head screws will slip far less than phillips head screws do. Bugle/batten screws will usually be hex or torx head screws, and packs often contain a driver bit that corresponds to the screw head.
With treated timber, it is best to use coated screws, as the treatments used in sleepers can react with the galvanisation on screws if they are in direct contact with each other.
In saying this, I would typically recommend using longer screws with sleepers. If you are going through 50mm of sleeper, with a 75mm screw, you are only getting 25mm of embedment. This is not going to be particularly strong, especially when you consider that a garden bed has constant outward pressure applied to it from the soil and water it is holding. Instead, I would suggest using 100mm screws like these Bremick XTP Construction Screw 18g x 100mm. With 50mm of embedment per screw, you will have a lot more holding force than with the 75mm screws.
Let me know what you think, and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
Jacob
Really good advice thanks Jacob. I will be using untreated cypress so I expect galv screws should be ok. If I use the heavier screws you recommended, what gauge drill bit should I use for pre drilling?
Richard
Hi Richard (@TKG),
If that's the case, then you should be fine using these 14G x 100mm Class 3 Galvanised Bugle Batten Screws.
For a 14G screw, a 5mm pilot hole would be good.
You'll want to use a longer drill bit than standard due to the length of the screw. This Kango 5mm Long Series HSS Drill Bit or this Sutton Tools 5.0mm Long Series Jobber Drill Bit would be the way to go.
Let me know what you think.
Jacob
Great. I think I’m ready to go shopping!
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