An interesting walk-thru https://www.quickscrews.com/making-quickscrew

 

It's my understanding that most screws nowadays (at least the ones I use) have "rolled thread"  and not a "cut thread".  This results in the shank not being significantly larger than the core of the threads.   This always used to be a problem because you needed one size bit for the shank and a smaller one for the threads when  drilling pilot holes (or a more expensive tapered bit)

 

More than you ever wanted to know about screws:

https://www.mcfeelys.com/guide-to-woodworking-screws

I have spent many  boring hours manning setting up and  maintaining Old School Swiss and B&S Screw Machines.

Like this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zymiEXw6jZU

and

 

I keep only square drive McFeely's screws on hand. I have round washer heads, wood screws and finish screws on 8 and 10. I use mostly 8 and woodscrew. They drive wonderfully and hold up extremely well. Otherwise my local hardware provides my odd requests.

McFeeley's is now nearby, well across two counties.   I have bought dowels, Shaker pegs, dowel pins, etc. from their parent company.  I used to live nearby their factory before we both moved and they had a dumpster that you could dumpster dive and get dowel cutoffs, etc.  Sadly, no more.

I have ordered good Deerwood screws from wwhardware.com and like them.   They don't have the assortment that McFeeley's does, but they have good square drive screws in #8 and #6 sizes that is mostly what I use.   When you order some quantities, you get a pretty good discount there (e.g., don't order 1 screw).  They also have a LOT of euro hinge options, drawer glides, etc.

 

Thanks Keith, I have my morning YouTube to watch now

Thanks. Love THG Channel. Always informattive.

Both cedar wardrobes I've salvaged for wood used only slotted screws in their hardware; in their construction, the doors-only had cross bracing screwed in place [slotted screws]; all other joints were glued.

 

So I looked up when Phillips screws came into use; early-mid 1930s, I read.

 

Bolts are even more confusing; I've come across some thread pitches no longer used. 1/4" x 24tpi ? 

1 minute ago, Dovetail said:

Both cedar wardrobes I've salvaged for wood used only slotted screws in their hardware; in their construction, the doors-only had cross bracing screwed in place [slotted screws]; all other joints were glued.

 

So I looked up when Phillips screws came into use; early-mid 1930s, I read.

 

Bolts are even more confusing; I've come across some thread pitches no longer used. 1/4" x 24tpi ? 

In the last couple years, I've refinished a 1930s cedar chest and a 1920s piano converted to bookshelf.  I yearned for square drive, or I'd even buy a new tool for a Torx if I'd needed it.

 

IMO, the worst are the combo head like squipps (combo square and Phillips) or combo slotted and Phillips.  Jack of all trades; master of none.   I've had customers with the former and tried to use Phillips without success.  I pulled out my square drive and they were amazed that I could remove those screws.

At the theater set shop, we used to use Phillips (mostly the dreaded drywall screws).  You could hear hackers with an impact driver just messing up the heads when they cammed out.   Of course, we disassemble most everything after a show, so that became a real problem.  One of my first recommendations was to move to Torx and that problem has largely gone away.

About a dozen years ago I inherited a box of 2.5" deck screws.  Square drive, small head, used to secure cedar 5/4 decking. The box sat forever mostly untouched. Then last year when fixing my bedroom floor, I found use for the long thin finely-threaded screw. The trim head was better for patching. Wanted another box; they were sold as cabinet trim screws.

 

 

Though the last time I bought screws, they were #4 x 1/2" brass slotted head. Tiny wood screws for mirror frames assembled with a lap joint corner.

Ever use TimberLoc screws? They're great for construction of things like exterior steps/stairs, free standing patio covers, deck framing, etc. Anywhere a nail might work loose. 

Some years ago I threw out every slotted screw in the shop I could find, except for the electrical box (those trim screws). I use as few phillips as I can, and also hate the combo screws. When McFeely's got bought out and the CS went to feces, I tried buying some stuff from Quickscrews. What was disappointing was that most of the ones I got were combo drive....that was my last order with QS. I've still bought a few from McFeely's but try to avoid them when I can. I've recently read that Woodowrker's Hardware has a good selection of true square drive and may look there they next time I need some. Back to the video, I really found it interesting...thanks!

5 hours ago, Dovetail said:

About a dozen years ago I inherited a box of 2.5" deck screws.  Square drive, small head, used to secure cedar 5/4 decking. The box sat forever mostly untouched. Then last year when fixing my bedroom floor, I found use for the long thin finely-threaded screw. The trim head was better for patching. Wanted another box; they were sold as cabinet trim screws.

 

 

Though the last time I bought screws, they were #4 x 1/2" brass slotted head. Tiny wood screws for mirror frames assembled with a lap joint corner.

I used them for several years, in two lengths - one for joining face frames, and the other for joining frameless cabinet boxes. The ones I get aren't good for exterior though.  Unlike sheetrock screws, I don't recall ever snapping one off.

5 hours ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

Some years ago I threw out every slotted screw in the shop I could find, except for the electrical box (those trim screws). I use as few phillips as I can, and also hate the combo screws. When McFeely's got bought out and the CS went to feces, I tried buying some stuff from Quickscrews. What was disappointing was that most of the ones I got were combo drive....that was my last order with QS. I've still bought a few from McFeely's but try to avoid them when I can. I've recently read that Woodowrker's Hardware has a good selection of true square drive and may look there they next time I need some. Back to the video, I really found it interesting...thanks!

All the screws that I have bought in the last 15-20 years have been from WWhardware.com.   Their Deerwood screws are great (just be sure to get the square drive and no not the combo or phillips ones).  The local cabinet hardware supply store was carrying some of them in a box (like the size of Costco's chocolate almonds or M&Ms (not that I would know) but they seem to all be combo.    https://www.wwhardware.com/ultimate-square-drive-flat-head-screws-8-x-2-scus8x2f?qty=2

 

When I bought the Sam's club wine rack at auction a few years ago, the builders had left a box of 200-300 screws under the construction.  They are good square drive and were from Fastenal, but I've not checked out their prices.  Fastenal seems to have branches most everywhere.

https://www.wwhardware.com/types-of-screws

 

 

 

Also, it seems that most of the Euro-hinges use Pozi-drive heads.  These look like Phillips, but are slightly different, have a different bit and while you can use Phillips on them, they don't work as well as the Pozi-drive bits.

 

Oh, and I've seen a fair amount of electrical screws that are really ugly combo heads.  My philosophy is "If you don't have the right driver (slotted, phillips, or square) maybe you shouldn't be messing with it."

I was kind of surprised THG didn't include the mostly "vintage, retro" Clutch Head fasteners in the mix. I don't think there was a camper or camper shell made without using them somewhere until maybe the early 1980's? Pretty common head design from the 40's into the 60's for automotive use and even in the farm equipment industry.

 

I still have some clutch head hand drivers as well as some 1/4" & 3/8" drive sockets too.

 

  

2 hours ago, Grandpadave52 said:

I was kind of surprised THG didn't include the mostly "vintage, retro" Clutch Head fasteners in the mix. I don't think there was a camper or camper shell made without using them somewhere until maybe the early 1980's? Pretty common head design from the 40's into the 60's for automotive use and even in the farm equipment industry.

 

I still have some clutch head hand drivers as well as some 1/4" & 3/8" drive sockets too.

 

  

Yes, I had to do some repairs on a camper back then and I had to buy a whole set of bits to get one (at least where I looked for one).  I don't think I've used it since.

Not necessarily scientific or a validated test process but informative just the same.

 

 

Yep, there's a clutch head in my toolbox as well. Used it on the camper we used to have .....and no where else. I probably should have gave it to the guy who bought the camper.

8 hours ago, Grandpadave52 said:

Not necessarily scientific or a validated test process but informative just the same.

 

And now I have this mornings YouTube to watch

BTW @kmealy - I found the THG video very interesting and informative, thanks for posting it up!

 

And @Grandpadave52 & @Gunny - to bring over info from another thread... how many screwdrivers do you reckon the average guy needs?    On my list of stuff going to the next auction I've put screwdrivers on it.  I really want to thin the herd to where the screwdriver drawer opens and shuts easily.   And that doesn't even count all those free sets that HF used to give away!