Timeline for How to put long screws (3-4inch into hardwood)
Current License: CC BY-SA 4.0
8 events
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| May 21, 2021 at 7:58 | comment | added | Graphus | Oh I meant in a broader context, including their primary purpose, as a borer. But if you do work on older pieces the flat-head or slot-head screwdriver bits (like the one in the Q&A I linked to in the Answer) can still prove useful occasionally because they're available up to very large sizes — wider, and possibly fatter, than you'll find in any hex-shaft bit set so they fit the slots on some older screws much better, and help prevent cam-out and damage to the slot with stiff or stuck screws (in which case BTW, heating with a soldering iron can really help). | |
| May 21, 2021 at 6:24 | comment | added | Woodworking Devil | Great call on using a quick-change hex bit, will have to steal that. I am really curious though what benefit do traditional bits offer over modern bits? Do they last longer? Because as far as availability goes you can't argue with those 118 piece sets on sale for 29.99 | |
| May 19, 2021 at 6:30 | comment | added | Graphus | There's another issue you might not have heard about yet with braces, in that old braces almost all have two-jaw chucks, with modern ones having three or four. The modern ones do grip hex and round better but can't use any traditional brace bits, so they then become tied exclusively to modern tooling which is a limitation in the long term. On the other hand most two-jaw chucks grip hex pretty well, unless very worn, which opens up a wealth of bit holding of a modern type..... I have one brace set up exclusively as a driver, with a quick-change hex-bit holder permanently installed :-) | |
| May 19, 2021 at 4:57 | comment | added | Woodworking Devil | Oh that's awesome. I'll look around there is a decent size retired affluent population in my city. I am sure I'll find something if I keep an eye. I did find one in Lee Valley but yea price wise not the cheapest although quality is probably decent given that it's Lee Valley. Amazon..less trust lol. | |
| May 17, 2021 at 7:20 | comment | added | Graphus | Re. a brace, I would highly highly recommend getting a vintage one unless they're just not around in your neck of the woods. In addition to often being v cheap (I've picked up braces that functioned, but needed cosmetic work, for the equivalent of four or five bucks) they're generally better made than modern ones (sometimes much better). Obviously where you are is critical to the availability of secondhand tools, if it would help James Wright (of Wood By Wright on YT) has a page set up to aid people around the world in finding good old tools. | |
| May 17, 2021 at 7:09 | comment | added | Graphus | "The main issue is that Chinese manufacturers originally covered only around 20% of the workable surface with glue" Applying too little glue is really common in commercial furniture! [And not just in Asian-made stuff BTW] The furniture-restoration channels on YT often show how little glue there is in a failed joint.... hence the failure! It's one of the things that has directly led to the fairly widespread perception that dowel joints are weak, when 95%+ of the time it's an issue with fit and/or the amount of glue used. As you say in your case it still held for God knows how long, go glue! | |
| May 17, 2021 at 5:29 | comment | added | Woodworking Devil | Graphus I literally took notes and will be ordering a ratcheting brace shortly. I am so glad stacks exists and there is people like you to help noobies work through all these issues. There is one dowel in each joint already and it's in great shape. The main issue is that Chinese manufacturers originally covered only around 20% of the workable surface with glue (and it still held for god knows how many years) so I am confident my epoxy fix will be just fine. In the future I am really curious to try again driving longer screws. | |
| May 16, 2021 at 17:10 | history | answered | Graphus | CC BY-SA 4.0 |