Screws and Fixings Near Me: Save on Bulk Screws in Northampton
Some jobs eat fixings. Stud walls, shelving, flat-pack, fencing, kitchen fitting: you start with a handful of screws and finish with an empty pot and a trip back to the shop. If you've been searching for screws and fixings near me, this guide covers which screw suits which job, how to fix to plasterboard, and why buying a box saves money over small packs.
Which screw for which job
Multi-purpose wood screws
Countersunk pozi screws are the everyday choice for timber, hinges, brackets and general DIY. A 4 x 25mm screw suits light fixings such as hinges and small brackets. Go longer and thicker for heavier timber work. As a rule, the screw should go at least twice as far into the piece you're fixing into as the thickness of the piece you're fixing.
Machine screws, nuts and washers
For metal-to-metal fixing, or anywhere you need a bolt and nut, use machine screws. Pan head screws sit proud; countersunk heads sit flush.
- Nylon insert nuts grip the thread, so they don't vibrate loose on gates, trailers and machinery.
- Tee nuts knock into timber to give you a threaded insert, which is handy for furniture, jigs and workshop fixtures.
- Penny washers have a large outer diameter to spread the load over soft materials so the bolt head doesn't pull through.
Screw eyes and specialist fixings
Screw eyes are for hanging wire, chains and garden supports. Sanitary fixings are made for securing basins and toilets to walls.
Plasterboard fixings: getting it right
Plasterboard is soft, and an ordinary screw and plug will pull straight out under load. Choose the fixing by the weight:
- Light items (pictures, small mirrors): plasterboard plugs or self-drill plasterboard fixings.
- Medium items (shelves, curtain poles): cavity fixings that open up or clamp behind the board, such as spring toggles or metal cavity anchors.
- Heavy items (wall cupboards, TVs, radiators): find the timber stud or a noggin behind the board and screw into that. If there isn't one where you need it, add a noggin or a pattress.
Tip: a cheap stud detector or a few small pilot holes will find the studs. They're usually at regular centres, so once you've found one you can measure to the next.
For load guidance on specific plasterboard systems, British Gypsum publishes detailed technical information.
Bulk screws: why a box beats blister packs
Small blister packs are handy for a one-off repair, but they're the most expensive way to buy fixings. When you buy bulk screws by the box, the cost per screw drops a long way. Here are two examples from our range:
- MetalMate Screw BZP M4x20 PZ Pan Hd DIN7985 Bx 1000 is £10.49, which works out at about 1p per screw.
- ForgeFix Multi-Purpose Pozi Compatible Screw 4 x 25mm Box 200 is £4.99, about 2.5p per screw.
Buying by the box also means you don't run out halfway through a job. For mixed work, the ForgeFix Multi-purpose Screw Organiser 650 Piece at £15.49 puts a range of sizes in one case for the van or workshop.
Save 15% on our fixings range
Our 15% Mix & Match fixings range gets you 15% off when you buy any 2 or more items from the 15% savings group. You can mix fixings with anything else in that group, and there's no code needed. For example:
- MetalMate Screw BZP M4x20 PZ Pan Hd Bx 1000 at £10.49
- MetalMate Tee Nut BZP M4 Four Prongs 5.7mm Bx 200 at £7.99
Total £18.48. 15% off saves £2.76, so you pay £15.72.
Other 15% fixings include METALMATE Type T Nylon Insert Nut ZP M3 (Box 100) at £4.99 and MetalMate Screw BZP M3x10 PZ Csk Hd DIN965 Bx 1000 at £5.99. There's also a 10% fixings range with lines such as penny washers, screw eyes and sanitary fixings. Each group works on its own, and the full rules are on our Mix & Match & Save page.
Buying just one box? Use code ROCK5 for 5% off the whole order instead. ROCK5 doesn't combine with Mix & Match, so it's one or the other.
Screws and fixings near me in Northampton
You can order online with delivery or use Click & Collect. In-stock items are usually ready in 1 to 2 hours. If you're on a job in Duston, Spinney Hill or Kingsley and you're also picking up timber or plasterboard, our own van delivers within 10 miles of the shop for £19.99 on orders over £100. See our building supplies for the heavier materials.
Screws and fixings FAQs
What screws should I use for plasterboard?
For light loads use plasterboard plugs or self-drill fixings. For heavier loads use cavity fixings, or screw into a stud.
Is it cheaper to buy screws in bulk?
Usually, yes. A box of 1,000 M4x20 machine screws at £10.49 works out at around 1p each.
Can I mix screws with other products for the discount?
Yes. Any 2 or more items from the same savings group qualify, whatever the category.
Do you have a trade account?
Yes. You can apply through our trade account application.
Visit us
RockBottom Northampton, 2 Ashburnham Road, Northampton NN1 4QY. Open Monday to Friday 8am to 5:30pm and Saturday 9am to 5:30pm, closed Sunday. Call us on 01604 720272 or get in touch online. Come in and stock up, or order your fixings online for delivery.