Using Rosin To Start a Philips Head Screw

[rgsparber]

Trying to lower a brass Philips head screw down a deep hole in hopes of engaging the thread at the bottom can be frustrating. A light coating of rosin solves the problem.

If you are interested, please see

https://rick.sparber.org/RosinScrewStarter.pdf


Your comments are welcome. All of us are smarter than any one of us.



Thanks,

Rick

[mklotz]

I use duct seal in the pellet traps I use while practicing my marksmanship. It works well too for temporarily bonding screws to screwdrivers. (Does a pretty good job of sealing ducts too.)

Back in the day I used the kids' modeling clay. My daughters are adults now and the grandchildren have smart phones so a toy as mundane as clay isn't around any more.

[Jon]

Interesting. Reminds me of the trick to moisten a driver head and dip it into powdered cleaner (like Ajax or Comet) prior to attempting to remove a stripped screw.

[mklotz]

Of course, most of the Chinese "brass" screws sold in the big box stores will stick to a magnet.

[rgsparber]

I use duct seal in the pellet traps I use while practicing my marksmanship. It works well too for temporarily bonding screws to screwdrivers. (Does a pretty good job of sealing ducts too.)

Back in the day I used the kids' modeling clay. My daughters are adults now and the grandchildren have smart phones so a toy as mundane as clay isn't around any more.

Marv,

Duct seal is new to me. Interesting product.

Thanks,

Rick

[mklotz]

Marv,

Duct seal is new to me. Interesting product.

Thanks,

Rick

It's perfect for a backstop. Even a high power 0.22 pellet can't penetrate and, since the pellet is trapped, there are no ricochets. Plus, with patience the spent pellets can be harvested and used for weighting various things around the shop like round-bottomed soda cans turned into small parts trays.

I've never actually used it for its intended purpose. However, when the installer drilled through the house wall to install the Verizon cable I watched him seal the hole with the stuff.

[Toolmaker51]

Yes Marv's duct seal makes good ballistic putty. An inch seems to stop any pellet, even my 5mm's. Sealing wire entry is a common use. Real important marine use inside their stuffing tubes for watertight integrity.
Cleansers add 'bite' to screwdriver bits. A bit of torn off aluminum foil can help with Phillips or straight screw slots. Both leave particles, not always electrically or mechanically copacetic.
Rosin, warmed with a butane lighter makes a nicely brittle glue that really holds fasteners.
Finding modeling clay is worthwhile; holds thread wires, replicate fillets and radii, [can slice for comparators], reveal clearance when fitting parts, apply underside of thin sections to dampen vibrations while subtractive machining, adheres on most surfaces - weighs easily for static balancing, shelved object pressed into 3 small cone 'feet' might avert loss during earthquakes. Don't have a tube mic? With a little clay and small bearing ball, now you do.
I keep a lump in prescription container for the thread wire trick. In reality it's plumbers putty, a nice plain gray color. Not big fan of pink, neon green or white. Brown has a lot of practical joke applications...

[JoeVanGeaux]

Of course, most of the Chinese "brass" screws sold in the big box stores will stick to a magnet.

Wow, isn't that the truth!!

Nowadays, you have to first borrow a magnet from the hardware section to "proof" their "brass" fittings and things like the mythical "solid brass" door kickplates!

[mklotz]

Wow, isn't that the truth!!

Nowadays, you have to first borrow a magnet from the hardware section to "proof" their "brass" fittings and things like the mythical "solid brass" door kickplates!

Part of your shopping pocket tools...

http://www.homemadetools.net/forum/pocket-tools-40671

should include a magnet.

I'm planning to bore a hole in one of the tools shown and glue in a small neodymium magnet for testing for the elusive Chinese ferrous brass.

[DIYer]

Thanks Rick! We've added your Scew Starter to our Fastening category, as well as to your builder page: Rick's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Screw Starter by Rick Sparber

tags: screw starter