Screws

Today we had another go at videography, trying to record the lunchtime lectures The Mate gives to students on his cabinet-making courses. We seemed to have a higher success rate today but the main problem is the Canon 7D which is recording the head-and shoulders view. It keeps timing out part way through. Must look deeper into the menu. The Panasonic video camera. I'm controlling for the materials discussed worked well.

One of you asked about the gems of wisdom The Mate imparts. Well, one of the things covered in our session today, was brass screws. Here's a few things which may seem obvious to the more experienced DIYers amongst you, but useful for his beginners:-

Brass screws look so much nicer in furniture hinges than steel ones.

Orientate all the screw heads in a piece in the same direction, horizontal or vertical. It looks better.

Brass screws are "soft". If you've screwed one in and taken it out, throw it away. The tensions set up in the metal with these opposing actions will weaken the screw and, if it snaps, it will mess up your good work.

File down a screw-driver to the correct thickness for the slot in the screw,  then you don't get camming-out and tearing the screw-head. Set it aside for that size screw and DON'T us it for opening tins of paint!

If screwing 2 pieces of wood together, always drill a clearance hole in the top piece suitable for the diameter of the shank of the screw and then drill through for a pilot hole in the bottom piece. This should be the diameter of the inner measurement of the threaded part. This will save the wood from splitting and will enable the screw thread to bed itself in securely.

Dip the screw tip into a tub of petroleum jelly before putting it into the wood.

There! I think that's enough. Happy Easter, everyone!