Help with Brusso hinges

[David Dalzell]

I have just ordered some Brusso hinges for use with jeweley boxes. These are the small ones. They come with brass screws Since I am using hard wood I would like to first drive and create the threads by using steel screws. Does anyone know where I can find the small steel screws? Also I am not sure what size the Brusso screws are, maybe #2? Anyone know about this?
Any help would be appreciated.

[john bateman]

When I used them, it appeared they were smaller than 4's but larger than 2's.
I was not able to find steel screws in the same size, to cut the threads first like you want to do.
You might want to get some tapered drill bits to shape the hole more precisely...and use some wax as a lubricant. I actually had one of the brass screws start to twist as I was driving it. Fortunately I realized what was happening before I broke it.

[Ed Sallee]

I purchased a box of "better" quality brass #2's from Woodcraft. They seem to be stronger than the ones that come with the hinges. I coulnd't find #2 steel screws either. Woodcraft didn't have any....only brass.

But, didn't have a problem.... lubricated with parafin wax b/4 driving them in.

Also, I had to countersink the hinges just a little as the head of the screws were sitting just proud enough that they wouldn't close 100%. The countersink on the hinge itself was a good, easy fix.

[Jeff Willard]

I hope you're pre-boring for the brass screws. I have a set of twist gimlets for just such tasks. Very handy, inexpensive tool.

[David DeCristoforo]

As I recall McFeeley's has brass plated steel screws in #2,3 & 4 sizes.

[Hank Knight]

Try Rocklers. They have a large selection of steel, brass and bras plated screws.

[Jim Tobias]

Lee Valley has a good assortment of small brass screws. They are "cut brass" as opposed to "rolled brass screws". I am not certian of the difference but they do not break as easily as the ones that come wiht the hinges. Of course, you will need to pre drill wiht any of them.

Jim

http://www.leevalley.com/hardware/page.aspx?c=2&p=40960&cat=3,41306,41334&ap=1

[David Dalzell]

Yes I will be predrilling. I will also check McFeelys and others. It seems to me that companies that make and sell small brass screws/hinges should also offer the same size and shape in steel for this very problem. Also most who use these small screws are working with hardwood. This make the breaking problem much worse.

[Sean Kinn]

I just used some small steel screws from home depot for the mock-up and initial creation of "threads" in the holes. I then removed them and replaced them with the brass screws one at a time.

[Kevin Groenke]

Most good neighborhood HARDWARE stores (not BORGs) have extensive fastener assortments by Hillman or similar suppliers. Those assortments should have steel and brass screws down to #2, cheaper than the BORG too.


http://www.hillmangroup.com/images/asst2a.jpg

If all else fails there's always McMaster Carr: $3.80/100, probably $5 for shipping.
http://www.mcmaster.com/#90006a081/=1k7yga

A gimlet is nice, here's a $15/set, not bad:
http://www.garrettwade.com/product.asp?pn=37J03.04&bhcd2=1240443197

http://www.garrettwade.com/images/250/37J0304.jpg

I've also chucked a headless screw into a drill/driver and used it to "power tap" when doing numerous such operations.

-kg

[David Dalzell]

:)I would like to thank everyone for the advise and information they gave me on this question. I finally did what I should have done at first. I called Brusso directly and explained that I had several of their hinges with the brass screws but wanted to first drive stainless to set the threads in the wood. The lady I talked to was very knowledgeable about the problem of brass screws in hard wood. She asked the me the size (product #) of the hinges and said that they would send me a pack of the correct size steel screws. No charge. Very friendly and knows her stuff. Brusso is a class act.

[john bateman]

:)I would like to thank everyone for the advise and information they gave me on this question. I finally did what I should have done at first. I called Brusso directly and explained that I had several of their hinges with the brass screws but wanted to first drive stainless to set the threads in the wood. The lady I talked to was very knowledgeable about the problem of brass screws in hard wood. She asked the me the size (product #) of the hinges and said that they would send me a pack of the correct size steel screws. No charge. Very friendly and knows her stuff. Brusso is a class act.

I'd still be curious to know what size they are.
The ones I had were smaller in diameter than a #4, but were longer than any of the #3 lengths listed in this chart http://images.meredith.com/wood/images/pdf/screwchart.pdf

Nice of Brusso to choose a size which no one else supplies.

[David Dalzell]

Well when I get the screws I will check the size and post the information