Shopsmith Forums

JPG40504 wrote:I was referring to foxtrapper's post. He did NOT mention FHWS at all!

Oh! My God! Let's report him to the FHWS police.

curiousgeorge wrote:Oh! My God! Let's report him to the FHWS police.

NOT at all the POINT! The point is you can't find em period(unless they are old stock in a 'hardware' store.

IMHO I do not think these new ones work 'better'. Merely cheaper to make.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say this sounds like a bunch of lost souls trying to find who knows what....

If you want old wood screws like for a replacement for 1890's or the like you will have a hard time finding them and if you do then they will be used or a stash someone saved for a very long time. I've had to do some work on older things and I have a small collection of these. I've also spent time looking for some other sizes and got quotes of $5 a screw and that was some years ago. So for most people this is not what you want.

If you are staying current with screw technology you will know about Spax screws. They are expensive and are used by trades people who want a screw that doesn't require drilling holes or counter sinking. They are expensive and I have already mentioned them but I expect people didn't take time to look them up. That being the case I have a single link that will get you started looking at these. Love'm or hate'm they are what they are.

http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/inde ... rodID=4769

I have a small quantity of these on hand and have been impressed by them but due to high prices I don't often use them anymore.

Now if you don't mind not having slotted heads and can live with drilling I might mention these:

http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?Fa ... 35&pcs=fam

You can click on more details for some other options.

Now for you that want things like un-plated etc etc. This is a site just for you to play with. They do custom work at your expense but you might contact them to see who they might sell to and pursue that route.

http://www.narragansettscrew.com/

The ace hardware still has a good selection and you can get boxes of 100 so for those not so dedicated to an ideal might want to check online to see what they might offer or stop by your local store.

Now for those of you who just have to have the old style screws from the 1890's the bidding will start at $25 a screw....

Ed

I've been using McFeely's square drive screws pretty exclusively for years. I always drill a pilot hole, and remembering my father's instructions, I keep a bar of soap in the tool box to lubricate the screws.

kalynzoo wrote:I've been using McFeely's square drive screws pretty exclusively for years. I always drill a pilot hole, and remembering my father's instructions, I keep a bar of soap in the tool box to lubricate the screws.

Gary, I am a square drive convert also. I was introduced to them thru the Kreg pocket hole system and they seem to drive a lot easier without reaming out than the FHWS everyone is crowing about. But, then, that's just MHO.

I use the Woodcraft screws and like them. I like the looks of the Spax screws and think I may have to get two or three boxes to try them. I do like the square drives on the heads.

I think I'm also going to give the Spanx screws a shot. I like Highlands hardware and if they endorse the screws then I will take it the screws are good. I also like the Narragansett emphasis on "cut thread wood screws" however their website leaves a lot to be desired.

When I lived in Cleveland there were a fair number of bolt and screw manufactures. I would often buy a box of what they called sweepings. It was all the screws and bolts they produced that got spilled on the floor between floor sweeping. Usually I got a fantastic assortment along with a bit of trash now and then but the price was right. About 25 pound box for $5dollars.
They said it was a 25 lbs but I know most boxes I bought were simply filled and I think they were close to 40lbs. Besides it gave me something to do, sort screws for a few evenings.

I was thinking of contacting Narragansett and see if they had anything like floor sweepings of their cut thread wood screws.

The question was what wood screws do you commonly use. I commonly use deck or drywall screws, so I answered accordingly. I did not say I only use deck or drywall screws, that I would never use a wood screw, etc.

I use deck and drywall screws, commonly, because they are cheap, effective, available in bulk, and in the sizes I often times need.

If caterpillars met that requirement, I would use them instead.

What a great thread. I ordered an assortment of screws from McFeely the end of last week. When we arrived home from hospital last night this big box of high quality screws was waiting in the entry way. I got myself in trouble today when I sorted them into the storage containers. Thanks for the great advice. I pleases me to not have to buy the junk from the big box stores. fjimp

Jim
Let us know how you like Mcfeely screws I have heard so many pro's and con's I'm afraid to order from them. They have a nice assortment I would love to try but all the internet scuddle butt has me to worried.