Screw that Teak?

[The Garbone]

I am attaching a 15watt (1.25amp) solar panel to charge the batteries. I have the parts but am deciding how to assemble them.


A Magma rail bracket

A piece of teak.
The question is do I drill small pilot holes and use pan head screws and washers or do I drill larger holes all the way thru and use nylock nuts and bolts with washers?
What is more of a concern? Water intrusion from the top of the wood due to the nut or wood shrinkage due to age causing the screws just to fall out?

[Stumble]

Gary,

If it is holding something important or heavy thru bolt. Screws are worse for corrosion than bolts, both in the wood and for the fastner.

Since you are using teak, which is both a hard wood, and very rot resistant I wouldn't bother epoxy sealing it, but that is always an option. Just drill the holes, add some stainless (or titanium ) bolts and enjoy.

[The Garbone]

Thanks for the reply.

That is the way I was leaning. The problem being I do not have a drill press so I will either need a jig or to find one to do the holes correctly.

Better to do it right the first time.