any body runing ice screws in their tires and what kind, i'm thinking about 5/16x1/2 hex head like they use for sheet metal work was trying to tow my son on a tube on frozen lake and traction was major problem it rained last week and froze over so it's a sheet of ice

 

The sheet metal screws you mentioned will work well. They will not be quit as good as the real thing but they will work fine for what you are doing and they are a lot less expensive. You will need a lot though. I know your not racing it or anything, but when set up for racing a quad usually has 1500 plus studs in. You'll probably want at least 100 per tire.
Later,
JP

 

there is a big difference between a regular hex head & the actual ice screws...but for non competition, you can't beat the cost of regular hardware... the ice screws generally have a taller head, with the center opened up, to give a taller stud with more biting edges... I have seen some good prices on the ice screws if you shop around... there are also screws with carbide in the head, which are a bit taller & will last much longer... that is about the size of screw you would use for most tires...

 

Check out my photos at www3.telus.net/lexmarke/pix look under winter tires. I have a photo of the ice screws I use. they are awesome. I have about 500 miles on them and they are only half worn down. I use the good stuff for the rear of my V and just regular machines screws for the front. I have not lost a screw in 500 miles!!

 

I am also screwed up! Check my pics..Cost me 60 bucks for 100 1/2inch and a little less for 5/16.....u

 

well guys i looked around the house and found a can of 1/4x1/2 hex heads about 200 or so so i put 1 screw per *** on my 589's which ain't much but it makes a diferance in the little test rid on the frozen pudles behind the house when i get a chance i'll pick up more how many per *** or square inch do you recomend can you get 2 much traction?

 

most people put them about every 1/2" on the lugs... too many only gets too heavy, otherwise look at some of these guy's pics...

 

I race my V on our local Ice track. I run GOLDDIGGERS Ice scews on Chensin ice tires, I have 570 in each rear tire and and about 350 in each front. If you spend the money I did for my scews and tires you only run on ice, if you run a trail or anything eles they go dal. I think if your not going to race sheet metal scews work fine.

 

Sheet metal screws have a tendancy to break off the heads, leaving the screw itself inside your tire. Not to mention that the heads wear down so far and so fast that you will have problems getting them back out of your tires. If you are going to do it, do it right, you only need a small number of real ice screws to get decent traction. Use Kold Kutters, probably 3/8 inch would be fine for you.