Where can you find brass slotted flathead woodscrews ?

[Sudsy]

I agree with a number of guys on here: Keep it period correct and use steel screws.

That's what I'm going to do.
Any tips to keep the steel screws from rusting underneath and discoloring the brass inlays ?

 

[JackP]

Because they certainly don't seem to exist anywhere around me !

Doing a complete overhaul of a Kentucky Long I picked up from BigSkyRambler. (Great guy to do business with!)

Buried under decades of buildup is some beautiful wood but with some very shallow and discolored brass inlays. They were set with carbon steel screws that all corroded.
I'm redoing/deepening all the inletting and want to replace the steel screws with brass, but that's turning out to be far more difficult than I expected (It's always the thing you least expect to be the problem that becomes the biggest PIA!)

I need to match the size of the head and threads to the existing screws, I've no idea how to do that on the internet - Amazon being the place I can most easily find them.

I need to learn the proper wood screw nomenclature.
Any guidance ?

Blacksmith Bolt.

Jack

 

[LRB]

and you can use brass screws and change the color like the model railroad folks do with brass black

I used it on my brass parts made for my 1850 half stock, used the black and it blended in like frosting on a donut

Why not just use the proper steel screws?

 

[LRB]

That's what I'm going to do.
Any tips to keep the steel screws from rusting underneath and discoloring the brass inlays ?

Never seen that happen unless on a relic. Use wax as a thread lube when you install them.

 

[LME]

Because they certainly don't seem to exist anywhere around me !

Doing a complete overhaul of a Kentucky Long I picked up from BigSkyRambler. (Great guy to do business with!)

Buried under decades of buildup is some beautiful wood but with some very shallow and discolored brass inlays. They were set with carbon steel screws that all corroded.
I'm redoing/deepening all the inletting and want to replace the steel screws with brass, but that's turning out to be far more difficult than I expected (It's always the thing you least expect to be the problem that becomes the biggest PIA!)

I need to match the size of the head and threads to the existing screws, I've no idea how to do that on the internet - Amazon being the place I can most easily find them.

I need to learn the proper wood screw nomenclature.
Any guidance ?

Google ,"brass screws" there are many to choose from.

 

[Vaino]

Never used even one brass screw permanently on a LR build, ....not only because they're not HC but the slots also get easily damaged......Fred

 

[tenngun]

Never seen that happen unless on a relic. Use wax as a thread lube when you install them.

That’s what I was going to say. I put furniture wax in the inlet mortise and push the piece in, off course it oozes out of the screw holes. Then run the screw in and wipe all the ooze off

 

[French Colonial]

I have to go along with the others, use steel screws.

 

[44-henry]

Phil gave you the best advice at the beginning, don't use brass period. If this is an antique I would suggest you stop what you are doing before you ruin it.

 

[Sudsy]

Some of the screws are Phillip's head so obviously not an antique, possibly 1960s build.

Some of the screws holding the inlays were rusted worse underneath the inlays. Lots of black and green corrosion and discoloration on the brass around the rusted screws. Took a lot of polishing to get it off.

So you're all saying I can go to Home Depot and use the steel screws there? Or is there something more period?

 

[tenngun]

Some of the screws are Phillip's head so obviously not an antique, possibly 1960s build.

Some of the screws holding the inlays were rusted worse underneath the inlays. Lots of black and green corrosion and discoloration on the brass around the rusted screws. Took a lot of polishing to get it off.

So you're all saying I can go to Home Depot and use the steel screws there? Or is there something more period?

Go to track of the wolf. They sell unchromed steel screws in all different sizes.
I do most of my building through Track, so I can say log cabin sport shop, Dixie Gun works also

 

[Snooterpup]

Steel screws are proper for muzzleloaders, old guns didn’t use brass screws. Re consider brass, Brownell’s sells a variety of small steel screws that are perfect for your inlays.
https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-...d-steel-flat-head-wood-screw-kit-prod597.aspxSand off the blueing to make them a better match.

Absolutely right with unplated steel screws. Track of the Wolf has them too!

 

[Jedidiah]

Exercise caution when using small brass screws. Sometimes they can twist off in the wood before they are driven home. If you do use brass, rub candle wax onto the thread. That will lube the screw and ease the installment of the screw. You might have to back the screw out once or twice to rub more wax on. It can save a lot of trouble.

also, I drill pilot holes whenever possible for the same reasons!

 

[ronaldrothb49]

Because they certainly don't seem to exist anywhere around me !

Doing a complete overhaul of a Kentucky Long I picked up from BigSkyRambler. (Great guy to do business with!)

Buried under decades of buildup is some beautiful wood but with some very shallow and discolored brass inlays. They were set with carbon steel screws that all corroded.
I'm redoing/deepening all the inletting and want to replace the steel screws with brass, but that's turning out to be far more difficult than I expected (It's always the thing you least expect to be the problem that becomes the biggest PIA!)

I need to match the size of the head and threads to the existing screws, I've no idea how to do that on the internet - Amazon being the place I can most easily find them.

I need to learn the proper wood screw nomenclature.
Any guidance ?

You can find Brass screws at most any hardware store. But brass screws are not traditionally used on muzzleloaders.

 

[Hatman/2nd line]

Steel screws, brass ones can break off....ask me how I know!

 

[Poguetx]

Woodcraft.com

They also have some brick and mortar stores. I know they are in Houston and Austin.

 

[tallpine]

I would not use brass either, it is incorrect and they bugger up too easily. You can buy slotted steel screws just about anywhere. They are cadmium plated which is easily removed by a soak in Citric Acid. Citric Acid is readily available for cheap at your local Wally World in the canning section, it turns them a nice slate grey, aged color. Works for me

 

[ord sgt]

I once saw a newbie buy a southern mountain rifle. He didn't like the steel wood screws that came with the rifle. The furniture was browned steel. He went out and bought brass wood screws.......with Phillips head slots.

 

[Col. Batguano]

I once saw a newbie buy a southern mountain rifle. He didn't like the steel wood screws that came with the rifle. The furniture was browned steel. He went out and bought brass wood screws.......with Phillips head slots.

Look for that guy in an upcoming episode of; "America's Biggest Bubbas."

 

[flconch53]

also, I drill pilot holes whenever possible for the same reasons!

Always drill a pilot hole. Won't strip out the screw and if you take a little time to get the hole straight the screw will be straight also