Shopsmith Forums

Trying to install hinges and hasps on small boxes with small brass screws was always a challenge. Always, I drilled the pilot holes and if possible would drill the hole the depth of the length of the screw minus the depth of the hardware. Attached blue painters tape to drill bit to ensure depth. And, my bit size is always the same size of the screw shank allowing the flutes to grasp the wood. Invariably, something would not match up correctly in one or two holes in a project. That resulted in stripped out screw head, whether phillips or square drive. Then you can't get it back out without using something like vice grips. That would raise concerns and possiblities of damaging some of the project. Saw an ad in McFeely's for bee's wax to coat screws. Well, rather than order or purchase a wax for just inserting screws, got out my trusty Johnson paste wax, dipped the tip of the screw in and put in target hole. Wow! Erased all problems of driving small screws. There was a bit of wax that failed to go in the hole and squeezed behind the hinges and hasps. Easy solution! Hope this helps other beginners.

There is a box maker, Doug Stowe, has has videos ect, he also said to wax the tips and ONLY use a handheld screwdriver to put on your hardware. I used my JPW (cause ear wax just doesn't seem right) and it does make a difference.

Get a wax ring for a toilet and cut a plastic 1 gal milk jug into about two inches from the bottom. Insert the wax ring. Then take all the screws you will need and stick them in the wax ring. Keeps them handy and waxed.
+1 on the manual screwdriver and, +1 also on the steel screws first to make a path for the brass ones. I cheat and use a power screwdriver for the steel screws first.

Gene Howe wrote:Get a wax ring for a toilet and cut a plastic 1 gal milk jug into about two inches from the bottom. Insert the wax ring. Then take all the screws you will need and stick them in the wax ring. Keeps them handy and waxed.
+1 on the manual screwdriver and, +1 also on the steel screws first to make a path for the brass ones. I cheat and use a power screwdriver for the steel screws first.

I cheat also. I use my small Yankee Screwdriver.

Will throw this into the post also. Some may not know about these tools

Self centering drill to make screw be exactly in center of hole......[ATTACH]20124[/ATTACH]

I used bee's wax "forever" but these days I usually just dip the tip of the screw in the wood glue for lube. Works fine for me.


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dusty wrote:I cheat also. I use my small Yankee Screwdriver.

You need to post a picture of yours. I have one also that I bought in 1966 and later for my son in 76 when he was 7 years old, because I thought they might be disappearing over time. The one I have probably has been long gone. I like it so much better than what I see available today. I'll post a picture later this week.

robinson46176 wrote:I used bee's wax "forever" but these days I usually just dip the tip of the screw in the wood glue for lube. Works fine for me.


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I never even thought about using glue for screw lube. My question is, if you want to back them out later, are you "screwed"?

I did read somewhere years ago that bar soap works well for this purpose, and I have ever since use it with great success. I just scrape the threads over a bar of Ivory soap, and voila, the screw drives into whatever with a small fraction of the usual effort.

More recently, I read that using bar soap to lubricate the wooden runners on antique drawers makes them glide nicely. Having inherited several antique chest-of-drawers, and deployed them into my young girls' rooms, I soon had the opportunity (and need) to test this theory. Experimental finding: It works great! Touch it up every year or two, or when the drawers start getting sticky again.

The actual touchup takes mere seconds. The hard part is emptying the drawers. I delegate that part to my daughters!

oldc6 wrote:Will throw this into the post also. Some may not know about these tools

Self centering drill to make screw be exactly in center of hole......[ATTACH]20124[/ATTACH]

I believe these are essential tools for drilling the pilot holes for any small flat head screws. I use them for door striker plates and door knobs, piano hinges, and anyplace where the screw must be centered in a recess.