putting 2x4 between joists

Jul 19th, 2021 9:49 am

#1

buysell2008 [OP]: Member; Aug 25, 2020; 369 posts; 89 upvotes; oshawa

Jul 19th, 2021 9:49 am

I put a 2x4 between joists and had a 8x3 wood screws. these screws broke and it could not penetrate the middle of the joist. I am stuck now. i tried twice. i am left with a broken screw and the other one is stopped half way.
https://i.imgur.com/eWNEYTl.mp4

Here is a video.

Jul 19th, 2021 9:57 am

#2

projectman44: Sr. Member; Jun 1, 2017; 953 posts; 876 upvotes; GTA

Jul 19th, 2021 9:57 am

predrill or use something like this:

https://www.homedepot.ca/product/paulin ... 1000739693

Jul 19th, 2021 9:59 am

#3

engineered: Deal Expert; Feb 11, 2007; 20680 posts; 24719 upvotes; GTA

Jul 19th, 2021 9:59 am

buysell2008 wrote: ↑ I put a 2x4 between joists and had a 8x3 wood screws. these screws broke and it could not penetrate the middle of the joist. I am stuck now. i tried twice. i am left with a broken screw and the other one is stopped half way.
https://i.imgur.com/eWNEYTl.mp4

Here is a video.

What are you using to screw them in? They shouldn't be breaking. You can use higher quality screws, or just predrill the holes, then screw them in.

If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.

Jul 19th, 2021 10:17 am

#4

lamin: Deal Addict; Jan 21, 2011; 1381 posts; 760 upvotes; GTA

Jul 19th, 2021 10:17 am

Use #10 or #12 construction screws. What are you using to screw them in with? Pre-drill first if you can.

Jul 19th, 2021 12:03 pm

#5

SubjectivelyObjective: Deal Addict; Jun 26, 2019; 2062 posts; 1792 upvotes; GTA

Jul 19th, 2021 12:03 pm

engineered wrote: ↑ What are you using to screw them in? They shouldn't be breaking. You can use higher quality screws, or just predrill the holes, then screw them in.

When using screws for framing I would always recommend using structural or shear screws.

GRK fasteners are available in most hardware stores and are the best of both worlds between nails and screws.

+1

Jul 19th, 2021 12:12 pm

#6

KennyX: Deal Addict; Oct 17, 2002; 1320 posts; 380 upvotes; Oakville

Jul 19th, 2021 12:12 pm

just predrill and be done with it. Use some pliers and remove the screw that had the head snapped off. Predrill two holes at the appropriate size and then put the screws in.

Also, I dont know if your joists are 16" or 24" appart, but not a fan of using that single 2x4 like that (assuming you're screwing on the fan box on the 3.5" side?). I would have used 2 2x4's together and screwed in the box on the the 1.5" sides (if that makes any sense)

+1

Jul 19th, 2021 12:57 pm

#7

brianl999: Member; Mar 10, 2012; 328 posts; 334 upvotes; THORNHILL

Jul 19th, 2021 12:57 pm

buysell2008 wrote: ↑ Here is a video.

A single, static photo would make it much easier for people to help you.

Sometimes a video is appropriate, this wouldn't be one of them.

Not sure what you're using to drive the screws, but as others have noted, pre drilling holes should solve the problem...

+2

Jul 19th, 2021 5:11 pm

#8

arisk: Deal Addict; Nov 12, 2006; 3109 posts; 2297 upvotes; London

Jul 19th, 2021 5:11 pm

buysell2008 wrote: ↑I am stuck now. i tried twice. i am left with a broken screw and the other one is stopped half way.

Clamp vise grips on the headless screw and rotate to remove.
Re-clamp as required.

Doesn't anybody use nails anymore?
This wouldn't have happened.

+3

Jul 19th, 2021 7:25 pm

#9

MrFrugal1: Deal Addict; Jan 2, 2012; 4576 posts; 3805 upvotes; KINGSTON,ON

Jul 19th, 2021 7:25 pm

Just hit it sideways with a hammer. You may have to hit it from the opposite direction as well. Screws have poor shear characteristics, so it should snap off flush.

Go buy some construction screws instead of Chinesium Walmart/Dollarama brand and try again.
This is the perfect example of where and when to use an impact driver.

+3

Jul 19th, 2021 8:46 pm

#10

buysell2008 [OP]: Member; Aug 25, 2020; 369 posts; 89 upvotes; oshawa

Jul 19th, 2021 8:46 pm

this screw was homedepot and suggested by the associate there. i got the construction ones today. lets see what happens tomorrow

Jul 19th, 2021 8:54 pm

#11

brianl999: Member; Mar 10, 2012; 328 posts; 334 upvotes; THORNHILL

Jul 19th, 2021 8:54 pm

buysell2008 wrote: ↑ this screw was homedepot and suggested by the associate there. i got the construction ones today. lets see what happens tomorrow

What are you using to drive said screws?

Jul 19th, 2021 10:16 pm

#12

buysell2008 [OP]: Member; Aug 25, 2020; 369 posts; 89 upvotes; oshawa

Jul 19th, 2021 10:16 pm

i got this

https://www.homedepot.ca/product/paulin ... 2691121370

and they also had the GRK T-10 BIT to put on my ryobi driver
https://www.homedepot.ca/product/paulin ... 2691874191

Jul 19th, 2021 10:54 pm

#13

SubjectivelyObjective: Deal Addict; Jun 26, 2019; 2062 posts; 1792 upvotes; GTA

Jul 19th, 2021 10:54 pm

buysell2008 wrote: ↑ i got this

https://www.homedepot.ca/product/paulin ... 2691121370

and they also had the GRK T-10 BIT to put on my ryobi driver
https://www.homedepot.ca/product/paulin ... 2691874191

That is generally what I use.

Also, just as an FYI those yellow/t10 bits are for the smaller head screws. Maybe double check you got the right one?

The screw pack will come with one small bit of the correct size as well. So should be good to go regardless.

+1

Jul 20th, 2021 3:04 pm

#14

buysell2008 [OP]: Member; Aug 25, 2020; 369 posts; 89 upvotes; oshawa

Jul 20th, 2021 3:04 pm

ok. your suggestions did the trick. I used the right screws and the 2x4 is up and steady. I also checked the level and it matches the ceiling.
Next is to put the fan box. I have this from home depot.
https://www.homedepot.ca/product/ibervi ... 2538411266

I got a 10x1 1/4 wood screws to mount the fan box on the 2x4. is this sufficient? Or should I get a a different screw?

+1

Jul 20th, 2021 8:25 pm

#15

MrFrugal1: Deal Addict; Jan 2, 2012; 4576 posts; 3805 upvotes; KINGSTON,ON

Jul 20th, 2021 8:25 pm

Well, you most definitely won't break those structural screws .
Pan head #10 1-1/4" are fine. There's very little weight to the fan. You could have used something as short as 3/4", but that's the next guy's problem in 15-20 years when it needs replacing.

Jul 21st, 2021 9:09 am

#16

Kasakato: Deal Expert; Mar 25, 2005; 22524 posts; 3475 upvotes

Jul 21st, 2021 9:09 am

Is the 2x4 flush to the drywall? Those screws look about 3/4" up the joist...so where is your box going?

Jul 21st, 2021 9:45 am

#17

buysell2008 [OP]: Member; Aug 25, 2020; 369 posts; 89 upvotes; oshawa

Jul 21st, 2021 9:45 am

2x4 is flush to dry wall and is screwed to the joists on 2 sides

Jul 21st, 2021 10:35 am

#18

GTArenovate: Member; Feb 5, 2019; 212 posts; 201 upvotes

Jul 21st, 2021 10:35 am

projectman44 wrote: ↑ predrill or use something like this:

https://www.homedepot.ca/product/paulin ... 1000739693

Fantastic screws. They're pricey compared to deck screws, but they are much stronger (many are structural, read the packaging) and have a more robust star drive screw head and leads to less chance of strip out.

+1

Jul 21st, 2021 11:25 am

#19

Swerny: Deal Expert; Oct 5, 2008; 17637 posts; 13363 upvotes; Toronto

Jul 21st, 2021 11:25 am

buysell2008 wrote: ↑ I put a 2x4 between joists and had a 8x3 wood screws. these screws broke and it could not penetrate the middle of the joist. I am stuck now. i tried twice. i am left with a broken screw and the other one is stopped half way.
https://i.imgur.com/eWNEYTl.mp4

Here is a video.

this thread again?

2x4-between-joists-2477666/#p34738796

Jul 21st, 2021 3:13 pm

#20

Kasakato: Deal Expert; Mar 25, 2005; 22524 posts; 3475 upvotes

Jul 21st, 2021 3:13 pm

Where is your box going? The drywall will only be around 1/2" thick?