What screws for Melamine Faced Chipboard?

[JLC9779]

Just making a small shelving unit out of MFC. It is 18mm thick with chipboard. Having google it, are confirmat screws the best to use for an amateur with limited tools. The screws will not be seen on the outside and its only for a understairs cupboard. About 2 metre high, 30cm wide and just 13cm depth (to fit in a small gap), and will have about 8 shelves to hold some spices and a few tins.
Would be useful to know what size length, diameter screws to use. Any help is very much appreciated.

 

[Wayners]

3.5mm thick chipboard screw long enough to go through and hold.
Only need to go in shelf edge 15mm ish

 

[Burnerman]

Not absolutely necessary I know, but I'd be inclined to drill a small pilot hole where possible if you can.
If you want a dome headed screw, self tapping screws are ideal.
Good luck with your project!
John

 

[JLC9779]

Thanks, any links to anything I can buy from screwfix in the uk? or elsewhere. Would really be appreciated. Happy to drill a pilot hole.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Agreed - drill a pilot hole, as it's quite weak chipboard has a nasty habit of expanding especially if you end up getting a few off centre. I'd be using something like a 4x50 eg: https://www.screwfix.com/p/goldscre...multipurpose-screws-4mm-x-50mm-200-pack/11583 with a 3mm pilot hole. Might be worth countersinking the hole a tad too with a countersink eg https://www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-countersink-12mm-x-50mm/8380v

 

[Burnerman]

We haven't seen any design, but if it's a dome head screw you want,

https://www.screwfix.com/p/easydrive-pz-pan-self-tapping-screws-8ga-x-3-4-100-pack/1755h

Any wood screw will drive into chipboard or MDF but self tappers are nice and sharp.
A pilot hole will help - the face of chipboard or MDF can raise if the screw is forced in.
A design sketch could help if you can!
John

 

[JLC9779]

Apologies for the poor drawing. It is fitting in a vert narrow alcove in the under the stairs cupboard so the sides will be not visible. Just a view from the front

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Drawing is fine and clear, same advice as previously mentioned still stands.

 

[JLC9779]

Thanks for all the help and support. Will give it a try and see how it goes. Was going to attach some 3mm hardboard on the back too. Just pin it

 

[cdbe]

I would recommend confirmat screws, but they need correctly piloting (Trend Snappy RTA or eBay copy) or a fairly steady hand.

Otherwise long thin woodscrews (or plasterboard screws are good being generally thin in gauge). There is very little pull resistance in the end of chipboard so the longer the better (I use 75mm but I do use an impact driver to pull them in). Pilot hole essential or it will burst the chipboard. You can buy cheap drilling jigs.

 

[Notch7]

4mm x 50mm decent csk wood screws with thin threads like Timco screws would be fine

Drill a 4mm shank hole through the sides + do countersink then a 3mm pilot hole into the ends.

 

[mrrusty]

For shelves, screws in to the edge of chip are not a great solution. They do have a habit of blowing the board, and in any case you only have half the thickness of the board supporting whatever is on them.. You can use them with care, but there are other solutions.

If the heads are not going to be seen, I would take one, maybe two shelves and fix them with a couple of screws PLUS drill through from outside once the shelf is attached with screws and tap in some (6mm) dowels as well. The screwed shelves give the structure stability. For the rest of the shelves you are probably better off using shelf supports e.g. https://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk...PkzGuuKuZjV1JVYSpBP0qF-aQ-zuyLA8aAvR2EALw_wcB

 

[foxhole]

Confirmat Screws M7 x 50mm ( Screwfix ) are ideal must have pilot hole.
These are an alternative and can be used with timber screws .

Polypropylene (PP) Assembly joint (L)34mm, Pack of 20

This rigid joints is perfect for any project where you need to create a permanent degree angle join with two boards.

www.diy.com

Or can be used in combination to help simplify construction .

 

[blup]

Dowel screws screws for the top and bottom shelf. The other shelves could sit on shelf supports giving flexibility if you wanted to adjust the positioning later.

 

[JLC9779]

Thanks for all your help. Managed to construct this for the small alcove gap. Matches the IKEA cupboard too.