Why? Why do they do it?

[StevieB]

You know the situation - you identify some nice fittings, uhmm and ahh over the price 'cos they are expensive but eventually go for them anyway. The item arrives and it looks lovely. You then fit said item and find that the hardware that cost several pounds has been supplied with screws that must have cost several pence. Per thousand

This weekend I fitted 10 coat hooks in antique brass. Pre-drilled the screw holes to minimise the chance of damage and pre-threaded with a steel screw. Of the 20 screw, 2 had no slots and 1 stripped its head on the first turn of the screwdriver. I normally change out the screws in stuff like this, flat pack furniture etc anyway, but as these were antique brass to match the hooks I wanted to try and use the supplied fittings. Needless to say I now have 10 antique brass coat hooks held up with 20 wood star screws from Axminster. Fortunately the difference is negligible, but it really bugs me - why supply such naff screws with anything like this - it must be a false economy surely?!

And calm....

Steve

 

[RogerS]

I share your pain. I have found that Ironmongery Direct are excellent at supplying totally useless screws.

To be honest, it is a pleasant, albeit rare, surprise when something is :

a) supplied correctly

b) supplied on time

c) with all the pieces

d) that fit together

e) to make something that looks like what you thought you were getting

f) with instructions that can be followed in English.

 

[Pinch]

I very rarely use the screws supplied with fittings. I normally find screws from my stock, or purchase a box of screws to suit.