Unplated wood screws

[Curt Larsen]

Here is a heads up I got at the Baltimore show.  I overheard a fellow talking about the difficulty getting unplated wood screws.  I mentioned that I generally got mine from TOW.  He mentioned a supplier in Oregon at blacksmithbolts.com.  Just after placing a parts order with TOW for some other stuff I ordered some of Tracks screws to have on hand.  Then I checked out this new source.  Wow, he has everything imaginable and really decent prices.  He sells in lots of 25 on up.  Better check him out.  I'm now stocked up with everything I need.

Curt

[Kermit]

Yep, good source if you want a quantity. When I need 1 or 2 or a half dozen, I buy them at Ace Hardware where I can get them by the each, toss 'em in muriatic acid in a yogurt or margarine tub to remove the plating. Then rinse, dry, and cold blue. Works on other small parts too, like hinges, hasps, and such.

[kaintuck]

Are the slots straight?
makes me mad when you order screws and the slot is cut off center

[Clark Badgett]

Are the slots straight?
makes me mad when you order screws and the slot is cut off center

That doesn't make me mad in the least. I've seen more than many antique screws that were cut less than perfectly.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

The slots aren't too bad, apart from being fairly course.  And the countersink head is sometimes not quite fair.  I drilled a hole in a 1/4" thick steel plate, countersink'd the hole, and cold forge the heads of the screws into my plate.  Then I recut them with a hack saw blade with all of the kerf ground smooth.  This gives a very clean slot that is a little more pleasing to the eye.  My screws come from the same source as listed above.

[Curt Larsen]

Taylor has experience with these screws so we can take his advice.  One hassle I have with TOW screws is the lack of depth in the slots.  When I use their screws out of the package, some have shallow slots which strip out with a couple of turns.  Taylor idea of truing the heads and slots seem to be a good idea.  In any event, the screws from this source are affordable.
Curt

[Curtis]

I placed an order with blacksmith bolt several years ago, bought a large assortment of screws tat I am still using.  If I start to run out of anything I will order from them again, I am quite happy with them.

Curtis

[T*O*F]

Are the slots straight?
makes me mad when you order screws and the slot is cut off center Angry

Those are special screws for use when you drill your hole off center.  They make everything look like you done it right. 

[Sawatis]

Oh!  Thats how you fix that!

[PPatch]

Those are special screws for use when you drill your hole off center.  They make everything look like you done it right. 

Good to know... wink wink. I drilled a #10 just slightly off this morning for a butt plate. Had to put a plug in and tomorrow I'll give it another (very careful) try.

blacksmith bolt is THE place for screws.

dp

[David R. Pennington]

I just got an order from Blacksmith Bolts. Got some square head bolts and square nuts and rivets for my forge project. I stopped in the Restore (recycled building material store) today and sorted through the bolt bins and bought three pounds of unplated square head bolts, lags, carriage bolts and rivets of various sizes.

[mjm46@bellsouth.net]

I got screws from blacksmithbolts.com a few years ago. I am still using them, and I will order from them again. Very good product for a reasonable price.

[kaintuck]

Thank you fellas! I placed a big order this morning, this should hold me for the next few builds, the prices were really good, and nice size assortment. If the slots are good, I will be using them always.
Marc