Screws...What type for the best result?

[Dekieon]

So I am getting close to the point where I will be actually building the cabinet. Wood has been ordered and paid for already, just waiting on delivery. 

So I am going to be going to get some screws soon, have some questions.

I have designed the cabinet, so that all the screwing will be done from the inside, so that there won't be any visible from the outside.
I know that I need a screw that is shorter then the thickness of the woods, so that it doesn't pop through the other side, and that I should drill pilot holes first.

The material I am using is 3/4 Black Melamine for everything except the control panel. The CP will be 5/8 of plywood with a 1/8" plexi to bring the final thickness to 3/4 to match the T-Molding.

I would like to know from those who have already built cabs which screws they found worked well, and which to avoid?
Which ones tend to hold better, which ones will split the wood, that type of thing.

Also at what depth should I stop drilling the pilot holes? I don't want the screw to buldge the other side.

Also what is the average amount of screwes that will be needed for the entire cabinet?

[silar]

As far as the screws, remember that you are using melamine.  My guess is that it is similar to particle board coated with a melamine surface, so not too sure if screws alone will be sufficient for a sturdy joint and you may get a lot of bulging, splitting, cracking at the joint unless you drill pilot holes all the way through the screw length.  On mine, which is 3/4" plywood, I used 1.5" wood screws and still drilled full pilot holes.  Don't use the regular steel ones as it's pretty easy to strip the head when screwing them in.

As far as your CP, by the way you described, you'll have to cut an offset t-slot for the molding, which may not leave enough material on one side to prevent the t-molding when inserted from spreading or splitting that thin edge away from the rest of the CP using 5/8".

[Unstupid]

The material I am using is 3/4 Black Melamine for everything except the control panel.

Melamine on what?

[Dekieon]

I believe it is particle board. It is ordered but I haven't received it yet, so I can't say for sure. The reason I believe it is particle board, because every melamine sheet I have ever seen has been on particle board.

[Unstupid]

Nah... They put it on everything...  I use a product called duramine.  It a plywood core with a coat of MDF and coated with a layer of melamine.

[Dekieon]

I will reply back, once I receive the wood. However for now, lets assume it is particle board. How far should a screw go into the outer piece (the arcade wall) of board? Half way, 3/4 of the way? I am worried about causing a bulge on the outside that people will see, but at the same time, I won't want to not put the screw in far enough, and it is too week of a hold.

Yes I plan on using pilot holes, I am figuring those holes should be the same depth as the screws will go it?

[kahlid74]

I'm not an expert but here's my take on it, screw's in MDF/Plywood are not good for weight alone.  Most people's builds rely on screws merely to pull pieces together, hold them in place while wood glue bonds.  The key is wood glue/furring strips.  If you don't want to use wood glue or can't, then you need to look at things that go through the wood such as bolts, etc.

For me, I use 1 5/8" torx screws for all my builds.  I use 19/32" MDF/Plywood with 19/32" furring strips.  This causes the screws to stick out a bit inside the cabinet.  I countersink the outside and then wood putty over the hole.  After 2-3 passes and sanding you'd never know a screw was there.

[yotsuya]

I use drywall screws on my builds. Works great.

[mgb]

Drywall screws and glue should do you great.

As others said, melamine can be on any kinda wood but typically the melamine stuff available from places like Home Depot is usually particle board.

[Unstupid]

BTW wood glue on melamine is pretty useless...  Also use the right saw blades...  Here is some good info:
http://americanwoodworker.com/blogs/tips/archive/2009/03/03/using-melamine.aspx

[Dekieon]

Yes I was definately going to be using glue as well as screws. Thank you unstupid for the link, that is some good info there.

[silar]

Drywall screws and glue should do you great.

As others said, melamine can be on any kinda wood but typically the melamine stuff available from places like Home Depot is usually particle board.

I second the drywall screws.  They work quite well..

[mgb]

One thing about drywall screws:

For wood, always use coarse thread not fine thread.
Fine thread are for metal studs.

[Unstupid]

Yes I was definately going to be using glue as well as screws.

I just said glue doesn't stick to melamine...   

[mgb]

Yeah true
 Glue won't hold melamine.
Assuming the pieces are melamine on each side. I've some where its only on one side

[Dekieon]

I did some research on the glueing melamine, and there appears to be a bunch of glue designed specifically for melamine. Additionally, it seems that the only reason regular glue doesn't stick to melamine is because it isn't porous, but if you just a low grit sandpaper and rough up the melamine where you are gonna glue, then regualr glue will stick to it.

So what I think I am gonna try and is this...get melamine glue AND do the sand paper thing where I am gonna glue the pieces. So hopefully that will hold it along with the screws.

Another thing that I cuold try, would be to use the router and do a very shallow route. basically just enough to removed the melamine were I want to glue and them glue directly to the wood.

[kahlid74]

Melamine glue and sandpaper route will work the best IMO.  Don't forget to wipe away the dust thoroughly before gluing.

[silar]

Another thing that I cuold try, would be to use the router and do a very shallow route. basically just enough to removed the melamine were I want to glue and them glue directly to the wood.

This is what I would do if I was working with melamine.