Keeping screw slots clean

[FSS172]

Here's an idea for keeping glue, paint, varnish, or whatever you use to glue bungs out of the slots of the screws.

http://www.dickinson.edu/departments/drama/public/dots.jpg

These little self adhesive dots are sold at any office supply store. Sizes are limited, at least at my local Office Max. These are 1/4 inch; the next larger size was 3/4 inch. But 1/4 inch will cover phillips/frearson slots up to about a number 12 screw and square drives a little bigger than that.

[Cullen T.M. McGough]

Gah! You *plan* ahead for re-planking?

Cursing the dead s.o.b. who glued in the old bungs is one of my favorite pastimes when an old boat rolls into the shop for restoration.

How will I fill the hours if this catches on?

-C.T.M.M.

[Bob Cleek]

If you must... wouldn't it just be easier to dab a bit of molten wax on the head of the screw after it's driven?

[DrakeChristensen]

Nice idea. Seems easier than Mr. Cleek's wax but having done neither I should probably try both before opining further...

[FSS172]

Hi Gents - Interesting points you make. Why bother doing something when there's every possibility that you won't benefit from it yourself... I dunno; it just feels good thinking about those shiny bronze screws snugged down in there with clean slots waiting to surprise whoever next prys open the time capsule. For sure not a cost-effective use of shop time, but it's at least a useful way to occupy little hands that want to 'help'. Bob, I did consider wax and other fillers or release agents but was concerned about contamination compromising adhesion of the bung. Saw these things sitting on my desk and a little low-watt bulb went on in my head.... for what it's worth.

Jim

[Thorne]

One thing to consider is whether the paper disks might allow excessive corrosion of silicon bronze screws.

The excellent Woodenboat Series book _Planking & Fastening_ has several articles on wood screws. The part comparing bronze to stainless is really interesting: Max corrosion conditions for one is min for the other.

Bronze needs to be sealed with a bung/paint/putty against flowing water, whereas stainless should be exposed to flowing water (if used under the waterline).

So *IF* (and that's a big IF) the paper disks allowed a pocket of air to form around the screwhead, and *IF* the bung leaked -- you could have *some* additional corrosion of the head of bronze screws that you wouldn't get with wax or paint.

[ 12-13-2005, 09:39 AM: Message edited by: Thorne ]

[Alan D. Hyde]

Some old timers used beeswax in the slots.

Alan

[Jay Greer]

I think I'll try blue dots, so that I can call them blue dot specials. Great Idea! I don't really think they will accelerate corrosion. My favorite tool for removing crud from clogged slots is a jeweler's engraving tool. When necessary you can carve a new slot with one.
JG