screws for 3/4 baltic birch ply?

[scottp55]

I had planned on using 3/4" baltic birch ply on my desktop for both spoilboard and jigging, but added a layer of birch ply underneath acx to stiffen desktop bench yesterday and 2 of the first 10 screws snapped 1/4" into the baltic ply. I was using swaneze #6x 1 1/4" stainless finish screws as I had a full box left over from another project. I've never had this problem with these screws and wound up predrilling the rest of the holes. I've always predrilled for these screws before because they were used on teak,jatoba,etc. I want to stay square drive as I like them and have a ton of bits. If you are using Baltic birch for spoilboard, what are you using for screws? Or are #6 just to small?

[carlcnc]

Typically if you want to hold a piece of material to another, you should
drill a clearance hole thru the top piece. IF you don't the screw threads "fight" against themselves instead of pulling the parts together.

In addition if I am screwing into a hardwood,or dense material like baltic birch I will first drill the clearance hole, then a pilot hole in the bottom piece
Years ago I had a set of step bits for "6-"10 screws that made the process
quick and easy.

Carl

[scottp55]

Darn, where did I put those insty-bits.

[feinddj]

Try a #8 spax screw or go to McFeely's for square drive screws.

D

[scottp55]

Thanks both of you,found the counter sink insty-syle and will probably use my #6's until I get some spax's, didn't even know what they were.