Do you clock or time your screws?

[Rich Engelhardt]

It is true my friend who does not drinks less beer than I do...

heh,,,,drink enough beer and you either won't care if the screws are clocked or not - or - you'll try to clock brads... .

[ian maybury]

Heh! indeed. A whole new field of endeavour. Does not clocking your brads imply moral turpitude?

ian

[Jason Roehl]

Well, if you're talking about pneumatic brad nailers, direction can affect whether or not the wood splits, I've found. If you shoot the brad so that the length of the chisel-shaped tip is parallel to the grain, it acts as a wedge and splits the wood. Turn it 90º, and the chisel tip will cut the grain it hits on its way in, and splitting is much less likely.

But this is definitely a functional concern, not one of form.

[Van Huskey]

But this is definitely a functional concern, not one of form.

Function or practicality have NO place in this thread...

PS actually an interesting point I had never considered...but again logic is not welcome here.

[David Epperson]

It is not a mark of superiority. It's just the proper,workman like way of doing it. To clock my metal screws,which I make,I leave the heads too tall,saw a slot in them,and tighten them down. Then,mark the sides of the screws to where I want the slots to be,saw the tops down and resaw the slots according to the marks,and finish off the new screw tops. This is still done on the finest gun locks,like Purdeys,etc..

Do not take a bad attitude about it. That is an emotional response. It really is the proper way to make a fine job. I never use Phillips head screws. I know,it's hard to get slots any more,so I've saved up a supply of them. If necessary,I'll make the wood screws too,if it's for a correct looking antique style object.

This plane I made was a Presidential gift,and had to be correct in all aspects. I don't post in this section much,but I was the toolmaker for Colonial Williamsburg.

This is the proper way of "clocking" screws. It prevents this from happening.

Clocked screws are often a little too tight, or a little too loose.

[Brian Kent]

I'm just happy if the screws are within 1/4" of the same depth.

[Bruce Page]

I’m surprised no one has asked which way is up on hex headed socket head cap screws.

[Van Huskey]

I’m surprised no one has asked which way is up on hex headed socket head cap screws.

That is easy, horizontal at the top and bottom, pointy to the left and right.

[Myk Rian]

I try to remember to clock the screws. The poll needs that option.

[Van Huskey]

I try to remember to clock the screws. The poll needs that option.

I think that would fall under option #2, the old timers issue. Maybe you forgot after you read it...

[Van Huskey]

I just had a thought, what about Posidrive???