15 Replies

Never though about the cutting the thread with steel screw.
That is a great idea.

I had my share of striped heads:)

My question is why use brass screws? We know that they are soft. Why not use S.S. screws or even Bronze.
I agree with the soap/wax method.
Using a tapered drill bit with counter sink, will also make the use of soft screws less tedious.

Madts.

Well what if your customer insist thats what they want. Or if your matching something that already exists in a customer’s home. If thats what they want they get. They are paying you for what they want. So it would be a great idea to just pick up a steel screw or 2 the same size as the brass and get r done. Word of the mouth go’s a long way.

Using a steel screw to make threads is a great idea . Also find the driver that fits the screw the best . With phillips head screws , one size does not fit all . Made that mistake to many times.

When working with brass, its usually a finish choice. I always use a steped counter bore drill that cuts 3 widths at the same time and allows me to set the depth so that only the last 2/3 of the screw thred bites. As well their is always a bar of ivory soap on my shop shelf for any screws. A lot of people ask what’s it for? It’s got a bunch of grooves in it from running screws along it. Also, when putting brass screws in, I always use a screwdriver by hand so I never over torque the screws.

Yes all them steps are great Thorreain. I use a old candle for screws on hard woods. It just makes life so much easier. I never tried soap?

I like brass personally, but prefer to use much more robust machine screws after tapping the hole with a metal tap. A little wax still helps but usually isn’t necessary

Nice

Very nice Shipwright. Are you using a flat bottom taps or drilling a bit further and using standard taps?

The latter here Jeff, because I had room but bottoming taps would be even better.

Nice

Good ideas,The one idea that can cause problems is soap,some soaps have chemicals that discolor the wood and or the screw, I would suggest paraffin as an alternative. A metal screw is what I like to use before installing brass screws,but if you can’t find the correct size for your brass screw the old fashion set of gimlets can get the job done too .

http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/augergimletset.aspx

I have used Ivory soap with no adverse effects for 50 years now so I can safely say it’s better than paraffin wax!

Brass screws certainly look nice, especially when polished but are a headache I try and avoid. Almost every project I’ve used them on I’ve ended up turning the head off of one, no matter how careful I try and be.

Thorreain ,I think you should test it a little longer just to make sure LOL
Obviously no ill effects with Ivory,if the screws go in I’d say it’s just as good as paraffin.
BTW you must be really old ,50 years? LOL your not alone!!