Need Source for Quality Brass Screws

[Izzy Charo]

Hello,
I'm just finishing a jewelry box that I worked on for quite a while and installing the Brusso hinges is the last step. I plan on using steel screws and a pilot hole before the brass screws...but I was wondering if anyone has found a source for better brass, or bronze screws...the idea of snapping a screw head off at this point is pretty anxiety provoking! I'm specially looking for #4; 5/8 inch screws. Thanks in advance!
Izzy

[Gary Ragatz]

I've been happy with brass screws from McFeely's.

[Mark Gibney]

I've been getting oval slot-head screws from Bolt Depot, which they call Silicone Bronze. Essentially these are bronze with a small amount of silicone, and are designed for marine environments. I like them.

I've used them where I want the screw heads to show. Like you plan to do I used a stainless steel screw from the same manufacturer first to form the threads.

[Lee Schierer]

Hello,
I'm just finishing a jewelry box that I worked on for quite a while and installing the Brusso hinges is the last step. I plan on using steel screws and a pilot hole before the brass screws...but I was wondering if anyone has found a source for better brass, or bronze screws...the idea of snapping a screw head off at this point is pretty anxiety provoking! I'm specially looking for #4; 5/8 inch screws. Thanks in advance!
Izzy

You need to do just one more step not mentioned above. Lubricate the brass screw threads by scraping the threads over a chunk of beeswax and mash the flacks into the threads with your warm fingers. This wax will significantly reduce the torque needed to set the screws tight, which will significantly reduce the chance of breakage. Paraffin and soap don't work nearly as well and soap may discolor your wood.

[Andrew Hughes]

I buy brass hinge screws from craft Inc. They are very good and not expensive at all.
One point I’d like to make I bought my last batch at the beginning of the crisis. It’s possible their inventory is low.https://craft-inc.com/
Good Luck

[Jim Braun]

I purchased some from McMaster-Carr
https://www.mcmaster.com/screws/brass-slotted-flat-head-screws-for-wood/ they are very nice.

[Mike Kees]

Lee Valley has brass screws. I run a steel screw the same size first them remove and wax the brass one then install it.

[Mike Henderson]

Lee Valley has brass screws. I run a steel screw the same size first them remove and wax the brass one then install it.

I do basically the same, but I wax both the steel screw and the brass screw. Waxing the steel screw gets wax in the hole so that when you put the brass screw in (with wax on it) the hole is already lubricated. I find that paraffin works the best. I tried beeswax, and that works, but paraffin works better.

Mike

[Jim Mackell]

Bolt Depot. We use hundreds of #4 screws in repairing old windows. Haven't broke one yet.

[Bill Dufour]

You need to do just one more step not mentioned above. Lubricate the brass screw threads by scraping the threads over a chunk of beeswax and mash the flacks into the threads with your warm fingers. This wax will significantly reduce the torque needed to set the screws tight, which will significantly reduce the chance of breakage. Paraffin and soap don't work nearly as well and soap may discolor your wood.
I have two methods depending on quanity. For small batches I pick up a screw by the head or near the head with needle nose pliers. give it a quick shot with a propane torch then rub it on some wax. Put in a metal can to cool.
For more I melt some wax in a tin can and dip each screw tip in with needle nose pliers. I have a can of wax and will melt the top 1/4" with a torch to do this. Do it outside with a metal lid to cover the can if it burns. An electric coffee pot is a good wax melter.
Bill D

[Brian Deakin]

"I wax both the steel screw and the brass screw. Waxing the steel screw gets wax in the hole so that when you put the brass screw in (with wax on it) the hole is already lubricated."

I live in the United kingdom and I was taught that exact procedure 51 years ago at the age of 13 by
Mr. Major our school woodwork teacher ,who had taught at the school for 34 years

On the first woodworking class aged 11. Mr. Major would ask each child to call out thier surname The boy next to me said Cutler

Mr. Major said "Yes lad and I taught your dad"

To this day most the boys I went to school usually call each other by thier surname and not thier Christian name as was practice and custom by the school teachers