One thing I've grown to appreciate repairing old furniture is Phillips head screws. Slotted screws are just plain dumb, and they strip faster than Miley Cyrus. Jesus was a carpenter. He died on a CROSS. He didn't die for the sins of man, he was passionately marketing Phillips head screws. True story.
Posted by Ryan at October 18, 2013 12:09 PM | TrackBackI love Phillips head screws, and even more those driven by a hex or square drive, but it's worth noting that some of those old flat head screws just go into wood like butter. My dad grew up next door to a guy who worked at a screw company in Chicago, and I've been amazed how well the ones I've inherited work, especially the brass ones. You'd think they'd be soft and strip like anything, but no--just make sure you drill a pilot hole, and it's golden.
Another hint; rub the screw in wax, and that makes it a ton easier to drive in. Works great for nails--if you see an old hammer with wax at the non-business end, that's why. The carpenter would rub the tip of the nail in wax to enable it to go even into hard oak.
(you might get a few more bucks out of that old furniture if you make sure that he screws look authentic)
Posted by: Bike Bubba at October 23, 2013 10:48 AM
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