screws or bolts?

[afss]

I am getting ready to put my slate on the table i purchased. It was held down with 2 inch #12 screws. These screws dont go all the way through the wood carry beams. I was thinking that it might be better or easier to level if i used machine fine thread bolts and nuts and pre drill through the wood.
Any reason no to do this? any advantage to it?

 

[taunt]

I'm no mechanic but, I believe the screw holes in my slate are drilled on an angle, so unless you counter-bored the bottom of the wood at the angle of the holes, the machine screws' nuts and washers would not be flush to the bottom surface and would bind.

 

[Al Coholic]

I am getting ready to put my slate on the table i purchased. It was held down with 2 inch #12 screws. These screws dont go all the way through the wood carry beams. I was thinking that it might be better or easier to level if i used machine fine thread bolts and nuts and pre drill through the wood.
Any reason no to do this? any advantage to it?

How thick is your Slate?
is it backed or not?

 

[afss]

slate is 3/4 un backed. I think the holes are more or less straight in. I can get the machine bolts with tappered heads like screws so they would counter sink in the slate the same on the top side. I just figured that it would give a finer method of adjustment. I would need 3 1/2 inch in length.

 

[TableTek]

Thanks for your question. If you are unable to use the wood screws, machine screws are a good option. Some lower end tables have the slate screws going into vertical plywood slats, not a smart design for strength. Try to glue toothpicks into the holes from the last time it was assembled, but you don't need to reinvent the wheel here. Good thought though.
Rob

 

[afss]

This is deffinetly a lower end table and it is plywood supports, but is 3 piece all gound as one unit. I think the screws will work again, Just figured the machine bolts would be a little bit more target spcifit. Also figured if they went all the way through i could use a lock washer or similar to prevent any backing off that may occur over time.
Its a cheaper table but i am trying to beef it up as much as reasonably possible. I figure if i use it often enough i will look at getting a better table a few years down the road.

 

[Al Coholic]

Thanks for your question. If you are unable to use the wood screws, machine screws are a good option. Some lower end tables have the slate screws going into vertical plywood slats, not a smart design for strength. Try to glue toothpicks into the holes from the last time it was assembled, but you don't need to reinvent the wheel here. Good thought though.
Rob

Tooth picks are great if your screws are not grabbing.
there is also a product called Quick Wood that you can also get at Home Depot.

It sounds like your screws are not grabbing into the base?
You just need your screws to grab into about 1 inch of the wood.
Also check if a #14 x 2 screw will help also.