I was affixing a brass plaque the other day and, as is my practice
when installing hardware with slotted screws, I "dusted" them.
To me, this means that the slots are vertical and that they all match.
I've used this term for years and I've been asked where the term came
from.
My poor memory seems to recall that it is a term from motorheads who
trick out old cars for shows but I'm not at all clear on that.
Has anyone else heard this term?
Does anyone else bother to do this?
Is this a sign of OCD?
Regards,
Tom Watson
http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/
"John Grossbohlin" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
>
> "David Nebenzahl" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
*trim*
>>
>> Random screw slot alignments are part of the real world. Get used to
>> it.
>
> For most items I'd have to agree with you... look at high end guns and
> other high end items and aligned slots are pretty typical. Not sure
> I'd do it on a deck though no matter how nice the deck. ;~)
>
> John
>
>
The screws just aren't as visible on a deck as they are an electrical
outlet cover plate. It makes sense to align the screws on something
where they're quite visible, that's a sign of quality. On something
where the screws are hidden or reduced visibility, why bother?
On a deck you've got 8 screws (minimum) per board, but on only the
largest of outlet cover plates do you have 8 screws to align. (You don't
even have to align them the same way--just pick an easily recognized
pattern!)
Puckdropper
--
"The potential difference between the top and bottom of a tree is the
reason why all trees have to be grounded..." -- Bored Borg on
rec.woodworking
To email me directly, send a message to puckdropper (at) fastmail.fm
On Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:01:35 -0400, Tom Watson wrote:
> I was affixing a brass plaque the other day and, as is my practice when
> installing hardware with slotted screws, I "dusted" them.
...
> Has anyone else heard this term?
No.
> Does anyone else bother to do this?
Always.
> Is this a sign of OCD?
Probably. Although I put it down to doing a decent engineering
apprenticeship, where I had it drummed into me that small details
*mattered*.
"Jay Pique" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> I think that some folks actually have screws that have doubly thick
> heads. They put them in and tighten them up, then they file them
> flush and re-cut the slot in the exact alignment that they desire.
That's one of the most ridiculous things I've heard in a long time. Perhaps
they come with a paint-by-numbers kit too?
On Jul 9, 3:04=A0pm, dpb <[email protected]> wrote:
> Tom Watson wrote:
> > I was affixing a brass plaque the other day and, as is my practice
> > when installing hardware with slotted screws, I "dusted" them.
>
> > To me, this means that the slots are vertical and that they all match.
>
> > I've used this term for years and I've been asked where the term came
> > from.
>
> ...
>
> Never heard that term for it but have always taken the trouble to "just
> neaten-up things a little" as my grandad usta' call it...
>
> The correct orientation is horizontal, however, not vertical... :)
>
> --
They collect more dust in the horizontal position. Also, when outside,
the vertical will allow for water to run off more easily.
Now I'm all out of nits till I raise a few more.
On 7/9/2009 12:01 PM Tom Watson spake thus:
> I was affixing a brass plaque the other day and, as is my practice
> when installing hardware with slotted screws, I "dusted" them.
>
> To me, this means that the slots are vertical and that they all match.
[...]
> Is this a sign of OCD?
Unfortunately, yes.
--
Found--the gene that causes belief in genetic determinism
On 7/9/2009 12:01 PM Tom Watson spake thus:
> I was affixing a brass plaque the other day and, as is my practice
> when installing hardware with slotted screws, I "dusted" them.
>
> To me, this means that the slots are vertical and that they all match.
If I might be permitted a second reply here, I'd just like to say that I
don't even consider this a Good Thing (lining up all one's screw slots).
I think this helps to give whatever piece the screws are attached to a
fake look, kind of like a computer graphic produced with an illustration
program here all the screws are copied and pasted with their slots in
exactly the same orientation. If you're happy with the CAD look to your
woodworking pieces, then go for it.
Random screw slot alignments are part of the real world. Get used to it.
--
Found--the gene that causes belief in genetic determinism
"Rod & Betty-Jo" wrote
>
> I've as well had hobbyist projects languish way to long in the shop while
> trying to exceed my skill level although usually it is procrastination
> masquerading as trying to get it just right<G>....Rod
>
I would like to address the issue of procrastination. But I am to busy
putting off other things to get to that just now. <G>
On Jul 9, 3:01=A0pm, Tom Watson <[email protected]> wrote:
> I was affixing a brass plaque the other day and, as is my practice
> when installing hardware with slotted screws, I "dusted" them.
>
> To me, this means that the slots are vertical and that they all match.
>
> I've used this term for years and I've been asked where the term came
> from.
>
> My poor memory seems to recall that it is a term from motorheads who
> trick out old cars for shows but I'm not at all clear on that.
>
> Has anyone else heard this term?
>
> Does anyone else bother to do this?
>
> Is this a sign of OCD?
>
> Regards,
>
> Tom Watsonhttp://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/
I think that some folks actually have screws that have doubly thick
heads. They put them in and tighten them up, then they file them
flush and re-cut the slot in the exact alignment that they desire.
I'd worry about over or under-torquing them the other way maybe.
JP
On Jul 9, 4:36=A0pm, dpb <[email protected]> wrote:
> Robatoy wrote:
> > On Jul 9, 3:04 pm, dpb <[email protected]> wrote:
> >> Tom Watson wrote:
> ...
> >>> To me, this means that the slots are vertical and that they all match=
.
> ...
> >> ...
>
> >> Never heard that term for it but have always taken the trouble to "jus=
t
> >> neaten-up things a little" as my grandad usta' call it...
>
> >> The correct orientation is horizontal, however, not vertical... :)
> ...
> > They collect more dust in the horizontal position. Also, when outside,
> > the vertical will allow for water to run off more easily.
> > Now I'm all out of nits till I raise a few more.
>
> I was just pullin' Tom's chain a little for the heckuvit; =A0in reality I
> don't have a fixed orientation, what I actually do w/ orientation
> depends on the piece and what appears to look best to my eye at the
> time. =A0On affixing a plate such as that mentioned, particularly if the
> corners were cut off, placing them so they slots parallel the adjacent
> edge might be more attractive rather than either h-al or v-al...
>
> The most important facet is simply the symmetry that echoes the care; in
> general the actual choice is less important.
>
> Again, of course, $0.01, ymmv, etc., etc., ...
>
> --
And I was pulling yours....and I was trying to stave off the more anal
membership here.
All in all, orientate the slots so it compliments the shape of the
object. An oval would create a different zen than a rhomboid.
As the French say:
.
.
.
.
.
.
...well...whatever it is they say....
On Sat, 11 Jul 2009 07:35:21 -0700 (PDT), Robatoy
<[email protected]> wrote:
>On Jul 11, 6:43 am, Tom Watson <[email protected]> wrote:
>> On Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:01:35 -0400, Tom Watson <[email protected]>
>> wrote:
>>
>> >I was affixing a brass plaque the other day and, as is my practice
>> >when installing hardware with slotted screws, I "dusted" them.
>>
>> <snip>
>>
>> How would it be to have a Torx Triple Square pattern screw head that
>> only filled half the countersink depth, and then you had a decorative
>> slotted head with a post that fit into the Torx. The Torx Triple
>> Square has enough opportunities to maintain orientation while allowing
>> for proper torque and the decorative (it could actually be working
>> plug in) head would allow a traditional look.
>>
>> This would be particularly nice on oval headed brass.
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Tom Watsonhttp://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/
>
>The Ronco Screw-Faux-Mo.
Too bad Mr. Here is no longer with us.
Regards,
Tom Watson
http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/
On 2009-07-10, dadiOH <[email protected]> wrote:
>> Does anyone else bother to do this?
>
> Yes
>
>> Is this a sign of OCD?
>
> Absolutely not! But checking for same in other people's houses might be :)
I wanna meet the person that can casually spot dust on an electrical outlet plate
screw slot! ;)
nb
On Jul 10, 3:23=A0pm, "John Grossbohlin"
<[email protected]> wrote:
> "dadiOH" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>
> news:[email protected]...
>
> > Jay Pique wrote:
> >> I think that some folks actually have screws that have doubly thick
> >> heads. =A0They put them in and tighten them up, then they file them
> >> flush and re-cut the slot in the exact alignment that they desire.
>
> > How did they get them out after filing them flush?
>
> You mark the location of the new slot before removing the screw... or if =
the
> temp slot is sufficiently out of sync with the new one, start the new slo=
t
> with a hacksaw, then remove the screw and make the new head.
Yes - that's what they do. I actually think that Conrad Sauer does it
that way on some of his planes.
JP
On Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:01:35 -0400, Tom Watson wrote:
> I was affixing a brass plaque the other day and, as is my practice when
> installing hardware with slotted screws, I "dusted" them.
>
> To me, this means that the slots are vertical and that they all match.
>
> I've used this term for years and I've been asked where the term came
> from.
I don't know the origin of the term, but yes, I try to do that when I
remember.
--
Intelligence is an experiment that failed - G. B. Shaw
John Grossbohlin wrote:
> "Chris Friesen" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> On the other hand, if the torque on the screws matters then this is
>> absolutely the wrong thing to do.
> You're supposed to use screws with thick heads and a temporary slot... after
> determining where the slot needs to be, by screwing them in to proper
> torque, create the final head and slot.
Ah...that makes sense.
Chris
"David Nebenzahl" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On 7/9/2009 12:01 PM Tom Watson spake thus:
>
>> I was affixing a brass plaque the other day and, as is my practice
>> when installing hardware with slotted screws, I "dusted" them.
>>
>> To me, this means that the slots are vertical and that they all match.
>
> If I might be permitted a second reply here, I'd just like to say that I
> don't even consider this a Good Thing (lining up all one's screw slots).
>
> I think this helps to give whatever piece the screws are attached to a
> fake look, kind of like a computer graphic produced with an illustration
> program here all the screws are copied and pasted with their slots in
> exactly the same orientation. If you're happy with the CAD look to your
> woodworking pieces, then go for it.
>
> Random screw slot alignments are part of the real world. Get used to it.
For most items I'd have to agree with you... look at high end guns and other
high end items and aligned slots are pretty typical. Not sure I'd do it on a
deck though no matter how nice the deck. ;~)
John
On 2009-07-09, John Grossbohlin <[email protected]> wrote:
> with hand filed wood screws when I worked in the gunsmith shop at Colonial
> Williamsburg. ;~)
Wow! A tip o' the hat to you.
I was snot-nosed punk working at a govt lab machine shop when our forman
came out to the floor and told everyone to knock off. He wheeled out a old
B&H 16mm projector and proceeded to show a two hour film on how a gun was
made in colonial times as recreated at the Williamsburg gunshop. As a
machinist, gun nut, and previous visitor to Williamsburg ('64), I can truly
say that was one of the most fascinating and instructive films I've ever
viewed.
I think the making of the screws, springs, and boring bit was the most
interesting. It was almost unthinkable to us, who had walls of fasteners
of every kind, that in those times, each screw was handmade. And who knew
file technology was developed as early as the 16th century. Great film. I
think it's still available as VHS.
Did you learn how to make the whole gun?
nb
Jay Pique wrote:
> I think that some folks actually have screws that have doubly thick
> heads. They put them in and tighten them up, then they file them
> flush and re-cut the slot in the exact alignment that they desire.
How did they get them out after filing them flush?
--
dadiOH
____________________________
dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
...a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico
"Tom Watson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I was affixing a brass plaque the other day and, as is my practice
> when installing hardware with slotted screws, I "dusted" them.
>
> To me, this means that the slots are vertical and that they all match.
>
> I've used this term for years and I've been asked where the term came
> from.
>
> My poor memory seems to recall that it is a term from motorheads who
> trick out old cars for shows but I'm not at all clear on that.
I didn't know that.
> Has anyone else heard this term?
Nope.
> Does anyone else bother to do this?
Every single time
> Is this a sign of OCD?
Most certainly. Of course, I'm pretty sure being a wooddorker is a sign of
OCD as well.
On Jul 11, 6:43=A0am, Tom Watson <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:01:35 -0400, Tom Watson <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
> >I was affixing a brass plaque the other day and, as is my practice
> >when installing hardware with slotted screws, I "dusted" them.
>
> <snip>
>
> How would it be to have a Torx Triple Square pattern screw head that
> only filled half the countersink depth, and then you had a decorative
> slotted head with a post that fit into the Torx. =A0The Torx Triple
> Square has enough opportunities to maintain orientation while allowing
> for proper torque and the decorative (it could actually be =A0working
> plug in) head would allow a traditional look.
>
> This would be particularly nice on oval headed brass.
>
> Regards,
>
> Tom Watsonhttp://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/
The Ronco Screw-Faux-Mo.
On Jul 9, 12:01=A0pm, Tom Watson <[email protected]> wrote:
> I was affixing a brass plaque the other day and, as is my practice
> when installing hardware with slotted screws, I "dusted" them.
>
> To me, this means that the slots are vertical and that they all match.
>
> I've used this term for years and I've been asked where the term came
> from.
>
> My poor memory seems to recall that it is a term from motorheads who
> trick out old cars for shows but I'm not at all clear on that.
>
> Has anyone else heard this term?
>
> Does anyone else bother to do this?
>
> Is this a sign of OCD?
IMNSHO, hide the screws! They have no business being seen in
wooddorking efforts.
Luigi
On Jul 10, 2:10=A0pm, David Nebenzahl <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> Random screw slot alignments are part of the real world. Get used to it.
>
..as this collector's Cartier watch would seem to support.
http://www.brittons-watches.co.uk/watches/gents_cartier/1348.jpg
If all those screws were to line up, it would look Chinese.
"notbob" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On 2009-07-10, John Grossbohlin <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>> That movie is titled "The Gunsmith of Williamsburg" and features Wallace
>> Gusler... It's on DVD now! As far as I know the rifle made in the movie
>> still hangs in the gunsmith shop.
>>
>> Files were old by the 16th century. ;~)
>>
>> I learned a lot while there but wasn't there long enough to learn it all.
>> Like any place else with a budget they have their bad times... They laid
>> off
>> about 30 people around the time I left.
>
> Sorry to hear you had to leave, John. I left my machine shop, one of my
> best memories, under similar circumstances, it being a govt thing and a
> prez
> admin change, so I know how that works.
>
> I recall Williamsburg back in '64, before the electronic cash registers
> were
> installed. Great experience. It was "real" back then.
>
> Thanks for the exact title name. I may jes buy a copy. It would be great
> to show
> to my firearm friendly friends.
>
It's pretty cheap.....
http://www.williamsburgmarketplace.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductView?catalogId=12119&storeId=10001&langId=-1&categoryId=25873&parentCategoryId=18377&start=1&end=12&sortBy=featured
I like the cabinet maker movie too.
http://www.williamsburgmarketplace.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductView?catalogId=12119&storeId=10001&langId=-1&categoryId=25880&parentCategoryId=18377&start=1&end=12&sortBy=featured
On Thu, 9 Jul 2009 14:59:19 -0700 (PDT), Robatoy
<[email protected]> wrote:
>and I was trying to stave off the more anal
>membership here.
Let me know how you make out with that.
Regards,
Tom Watson
http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/
Tom Watson wrote:
> I was affixing a brass plaque the other day and, as is my practice
> when installing hardware with slotted screws, I "dusted" them.
>
> To me, this means that the slots are vertical and that they all match.
>
> I've used this term for years and I've been asked where the term came
> from.
...
Never heard that term for it but have always taken the trouble to "just
neaten-up things a little" as my grandad usta' call it...
The correct orientation is horizontal, however, not vertical... :)
--
Robatoy wrote:
> On Jul 9, 3:04 pm, dpb <[email protected]> wrote:
>> Tom Watson wrote:
...
>>> To me, this means that the slots are vertical and that they all match.
...
>> ...
>>
>> Never heard that term for it but have always taken the trouble to "just
>> neaten-up things a little" as my grandad usta' call it...
>>
>> The correct orientation is horizontal, however, not vertical... :)
...
> They collect more dust in the horizontal position. Also, when outside,
> the vertical will allow for water to run off more easily.
> Now I'm all out of nits till I raise a few more.
I was just pullin' Tom's chain a little for the heckuvit; in reality I
don't have a fixed orientation, what I actually do w/ orientation
depends on the piece and what appears to look best to my eye at the
time. On affixing a plate such as that mentioned, particularly if the
corners were cut off, placing them so they slots parallel the adjacent
edge might be more attractive rather than either h-al or v-al...
The most important facet is simply the symmetry that echoes the care; in
general the actual choice is less important.
Again, of course, $0.01, ymmv, etc., etc., ...
--
On Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:01:35 -0400, Tom Watson <[email protected]>
wrote:
>I was affixing a brass plaque the other day and, as is my practice
>when installing hardware with slotted screws, I "dusted" them.
>
<snip>
How would it be to have a Torx Triple Square pattern screw head that
only filled half the countersink depth, and then you had a decorative
slotted head with a post that fit into the Torx. The Torx Triple
Square has enough opportunities to maintain orientation while allowing
for proper torque and the decorative (it could actually be working
plug in) head would allow a traditional look.
This would be particularly nice on oval headed brass.
Regards,
Tom Watson
http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1/
On Fri, 10 Jul 2009 11:06:18 -0500, "Upscale" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>That's one of the most ridiculous things I've heard in a long time.
I'm getting a strong feeling there's a lot of tongue in the cheek of
this thread.
Tom Veatch
Wichita, KS
USA
"Swingman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Tom Watson wrote:
>
>> Does anyone else bother to do this?
>>
>> Is this a sign of OCD?
>
> The difference between mediocrity and supremacy is attention to detail.
>
> Make no excuses, nuff said ...
>
> --
> www.e-woodshop.net
> Last update: 10/22/08
> KarlC@ (the obvious)
True enough and often today not practiced nearly enough ....however often
the difference between profit and loss or business success or failure is
knowing which details actually deserve the attention. I've as well had
hobbyist projects languish way to long in the shop while trying to exceed my
skill level although usually it is procrastination masquerading as trying to
get it just right<G>....Rod
On 2009-07-10, John Grossbohlin <[email protected]> wrote:
> That movie is titled "The Gunsmith of Williamsburg" and features Wallace
> Gusler... It's on DVD now! As far as I know the rifle made in the movie
> still hangs in the gunsmith shop.
>
> Files were old by the 16th century. ;~)
>
> I learned a lot while there but wasn't there long enough to learn it all.
> Like any place else with a budget they have their bad times... They laid off
> about 30 people around the time I left.
Sorry to hear you had to leave, John. I left my machine shop, one of my
best memories, under similar circumstances, it being a govt thing and a prez
admin change, so I know how that works.
I recall Williamsburg back in '64, before the electronic cash registers were
installed. Great experience. It was "real" back then.
Thanks for the exact title name. I may jes buy a copy. It would be great to show
to my firearm friendly friends.
nb
"notbob" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On 2009-07-09, John Grossbohlin <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>> with hand filed wood screws when I worked in the gunsmith shop at
>> Colonial
>> Williamsburg. ;~)
>
> Wow! A tip o' the hat to you.
>
> I was snot-nosed punk working at a govt lab machine shop when our forman
> came out to the floor and told everyone to knock off. He wheeled out a
> old
> B&H 16mm projector and proceeded to show a two hour film on how a gun was
> made in colonial times as recreated at the Williamsburg gunshop. As a
> machinist, gun nut, and previous visitor to Williamsburg ('64), I can
> truly
> say that was one of the most fascinating and instructive films I've ever
> viewed.
>
> I think the making of the screws, springs, and boring bit was the most
> interesting. It was almost unthinkable to us, who had walls of fasteners
> of every kind, that in those times, each screw was handmade. And who knew
> file technology was developed as early as the 16th century. Great film.
> I
> think it's still available as VHS.
>
> Did you learn how to make the whole gun?
That movie is titled "The Gunsmith of Williamsburg" and features Wallace
Gusler... It's on DVD now! As far as I know the rifle made in the movie
still hangs in the gunsmith shop.
Files were old by the 16th century. ;~)
I learned a lot while there but wasn't there long enough to learn it all.
Like any place else with a budget they have their bad times... They laid off
about 30 people around the time I left.
John
For example, see this one (link may outdate when rifle is sold)and note the
close-ups of the patch box and the barrel tang.
http://www.trackofthewolf.com/(S(rzsmpnaza0for0nh1mb3a345))/categories/partDetail.aspx?catId=12&subId=81&styleId=280&partNum=AAG-482
Or here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:DoubleRifleBreech.jpg Not every
firearm is crafted to this level of quality:
http://www.trackofthewolf.com/(S(rzsmpnaza0for0nh1mb3a345))/categories/partList.aspx?catID=12&subID=81&styleID=280
but screw slot alignment has been long considered as a key indicator of
quality gunsmithing as have special, narrow slots that have the practical
purpose of resisting attacks with wedge shaped hardware store screwdrivers.
Conversely buggered-up screw slots and over-tightened screws are indicators
of insensitivity, incompetence and neglect by previous owners of a used
firearm.
Finally, you're not likely to see socket head cap screws or hex bolts on a
fine sporting firearm (though maybe on some specialized military or
competition rifle where performance trumps appearance).
David Merrill
"notbob" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On 2009-07-10, Jay Pique <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > I think that some folks actually have screws that have doubly thick
> > heads. They put them in and tighten them up, then they file them
> > flush and re-cut the slot in the exact alignment that they desire.
> > I'd worry about over or under-torquing them the other way maybe.
>
> While I find your premise intriguing, I also find it mostly unbelievable.
> Who would do this? Where would they get these fasteners? How would they
> cut the new slot? What discipline would require it?
>
> I used to spend hours working with fastener reps and never heard of such a
> thing. I've made specialized screws, but never this. I even know
jewelers
> that have no need of such an item.
>
> I'm not being dismissive, just very curious. We've heard one fellow
mention
> gunsmithing. I guess I can see handmade custom guns that cost in the tens
> of thousands of dollars doing this. I've not seen this in Concours de
> Elegance or aircraft. Is being anal a craft? ;)
>
> nb
"dadiOH" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Jay Pique wrote:
>> I think that some folks actually have screws that have doubly thick
>> heads. They put them in and tighten them up, then they file them
>> flush and re-cut the slot in the exact alignment that they desire.
>
> How did they get them out after filing them flush?
>
You mark the location of the new slot before removing the screw... or if the
temp slot is sufficiently out of sync with the new one, start the new slot
with a hacksaw, then remove the screw and make the new head.
John
I visited the Colonial Williamsburg gunshop a few years back and they showed
me a built-from-scratch Kentucky flintlock that they had just completed on
commission of $20,000. Back when those flintlocks were new technology
people felt strongly enough about personal firearms to write the Second
Amendment to our U.S. Constitution.
David Merrill
"notbob" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On 2009-07-10, Jay Pique <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > I think that some folks actually have screws that have doubly thick
> > heads. They put them in and tighten them up, then they file them
> > flush and re-cut the slot in the exact alignment that they desire.
> > I'd worry about over or under-torquing them the other way maybe.
>
> While I find your premise intriguing, I also find it mostly unbelievable.
> Who would do this? Where would they get these fasteners? How would they
> cut the new slot? What discipline would require it?
>
> I used to spend hours working with fastener reps and never heard of such a
> thing. I've made specialized screws, but never this. I even know
jewelers
> that have no need of such an item.
>
> I'm not being dismissive, just very curious. We've heard one fellow
mention
> gunsmithing. I guess I can see handmade custom guns that cost in the tens
> of thousands of dollars doing this. I've not seen this in Concours de
> Elegance or aircraft. Is being anal a craft? ;)
>
> nb
"David Nebenzahl" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On 7/9/2009 12:01 PM Tom Watson spake thus:
>
>> I was affixing a brass plaque the other day and, as is my practice
>> when installing hardware with slotted screws, I "dusted" them.
>>
>> To me, this means that the slots are vertical and that they all match.
>
> If I might be permitted a second reply here, I'd just like to say that I
> don't even consider this a Good Thing (lining up all one's screw slots).
>
> I think this helps to give whatever piece the screws are attached to a
> fake look, kind of like a computer graphic produced with an illustration
> program here all the screws are copied and pasted with their slots in
> exactly the same orientation. If you're happy with the CAD look to your
> woodworking pieces, then go for it.
>
> Random screw slot alignments are part of the real world. Get used to it.
>
>
> --
> Found--the gene that causes belief in genetic determinism
But, I *know* I'm in the real world. I'm not looking at the faceplates
thinking "hmmm, wonder if I slipped into the computer world, better check
the faceplates..." It's a sign of attention to detail.
PCPaul wrote:
> On Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:01:35 -0400, Tom Watson wrote:
>
>> I was affixing a brass plaque the other day and, as is my practice when
>> installing hardware with slotted screws, I "dusted" them.
>> Is this a sign of OCD?
>
> Probably. Although I put it down to doing a decent engineering
> apprenticeship, where I had it drummed into me that small details
> *mattered*.
On the other hand, if the torque on the screws matters then this is
absolutely the wrong thing to do. I know I've run into one instance
(electrical switchplate) where lining up a screw with the others made it
either too tight or too loose--I was worried about cracking the
faceplate or having the screw unwind itself.
Chris
"Chris Friesen" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> PCPaul wrote:
>> On Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:01:35 -0400, Tom Watson wrote:
>>
>>> I was affixing a brass plaque the other day and, as is my practice when
>>> installing hardware with slotted screws, I "dusted" them.
>
>>> Is this a sign of OCD?
>>
>> Probably. Although I put it down to doing a decent engineering
>> apprenticeship, where I had it drummed into me that small details
>> *mattered*.
>
> On the other hand, if the torque on the screws matters then this is
> absolutely the wrong thing to do. I know I've run into one instance
> (electrical switchplate) where lining up a screw with the others made it
> either too tight or too loose--I was worried about cracking the
> faceplate or having the screw unwind itself.
>
> Chris
You're supposed to use screws with thick heads and a temporary slot... after
determining where the slot needs to be, by screwing them in to proper
torque, create the final head and slot. At least that's the way we did it
with hand filed wood screws when I worked in the gunsmith shop at Colonial
Williamsburg. ;~)
John
"Tom Watson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I was affixing a brass plaque the other day and, as is my practice
> when installing hardware with slotted screws, I "dusted" them.
>
> To me, this means that the slots are vertical and that they all match.
>
> I've used this term for years and I've been asked where the term came
> from.
>
> My poor memory seems to recall that it is a term from motorheads who
> trick out old cars for shows but I'm not at all clear on that.
>
> Has anyone else heard this term?
>
> Does anyone else bother to do this?
>
> Is this a sign of OCD?
>
>
Tom, of course you must know that you're either leaving them a little loose
or stripping the threads just a bit, right? And since it goes against the
grain to leave a fastener a little loose, they tend to end up overtightened
and thus stripped out a bit, true?
No problem, I suppose, if it doesn't need to last too long, or if it'll
never ever in life have to be taken apart again for any reason whatsoever.
Or, to cut you a little slack, if structural integrity is unimportant.
But I maintain old wooden boats, and I'll tell you that I disregard that
little visual detail in favor of getting them just as right as I know how to
do it without concern for which way the slots point.
Tom Dacon
On 2009-07-10, Jay Pique <[email protected]> wrote:
> I think that some folks actually have screws that have doubly thick
> heads. They put them in and tighten them up, then they file them
> flush and re-cut the slot in the exact alignment that they desire.
> I'd worry about over or under-torquing them the other way maybe.
While I find your premise intriguing, I also find it mostly unbelievable.
Who would do this? Where would they get these fasteners? How would they
cut the new slot? What discipline would require it?
I used to spend hours working with fastener reps and never heard of such a
thing. I've made specialized screws, but never this. I even know jewelers
that have no need of such an item.
I'm not being dismissive, just very curious. We've heard one fellow mention
gunsmithing. I guess I can see handmade custom guns that cost in the tens
of thousands of dollars doing this. I've not seen this in Concours de
Elegance or aircraft. Is being anal a craft? ;)
nb
Tom Watson wrote:
> I was affixing a brass plaque the other day and, as is my practice
> when installing hardware with slotted screws, I "dusted" them.
>
> To me, this means that the slots are vertical and that they all match.
>
> I've used this term for years and I've been asked where the term came
> from.
>
> My poor memory seems to recall that it is a term from motorheads who
> trick out old cars for shows but I'm not at all clear on that.
>
> Has anyone else heard this term?
No
> Does anyone else bother to do this?
Yes
> Is this a sign of OCD?
Absolutely not! But checking for same in other people's houses might be :)
______________
When I built my house the electrician I'd hired oriented all the cover plate
screws. Seeing that, did I trust the thoroughness of his other hidden but
important work? You betcha!!
--
dadiOH
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