jet faceplate

screws

TDaniel

>Keith, I use #12 square drive screw from McFeeley's. On a Jet you have to drill the holes out slightly for the #12 screws but this is very easily done and worth the effort.

TD

Re: jet faceplate

Mark Kauder, Phenix City, AL

>Keith,

I am using #8 Square Drive Wood Screws from McFreeley's, but remember, I am working with relatively light turning (Segmented).

If I would working with heavier stuff, I would probably use at least #10, or #12s as TD does. Pan Head Sheet metal screws are also a good option - Square Drive - or Hex Head.

In my opinion the length of screw past the faceplate is more important (within reason) than the diameter of the screw. I try to get at least 1" of screw in the wood, even with light turnings.

Mark

screw size

keith zimmerman, Normal IL

>I found that the only size screw that fit into the stock sized holes in the Jet faceplate are #10, but the threads are fine, hence the rip-out action I am seeing.

I am driving the screws an inch into the wood so depth is not the problem.

keithz

Re: screw size

Bill Howatt

>You might try the ones they call fast-drive which seem to have a smaller dia root and more spiral component to the thread. I use sheet metal screws.

Are you going into end-grain by any chance. That is hard to hold reliably.

Bill

Re: screw size

keith zimmerman, Normal IL

>Most of the time, I am going into end grain, but I also have experienced this with side grain. Seems the faceplate Jet supplies with the mini just has holes that are too small to use screws with good threads. I am also certain that the problem I am having is with the depth of the threads.

What size drill bit did people use to drill out the holes in the faceplate so screws with larger threads can be used?

keithz

Re: jet faceplate

jim reasoner

>I don't turn extra big stuff but I have found that stainless screws are much better than regular or black screws. Also, you need the coarsest screw thread you can find. fine threads are great for metal but wood needs coarse, wide spaced threads. Also I do not drill holes in my wooden disc. I use a screw starter for about 1/2 inch, use beeswax lubricant on the screws and just screw them in. Of course if you use a real hard wood, a pilot hole is necessary.

Re: screw size

Bill Howatt

>The hole size on my 3" General faceplate is 1/4" diameter. It will easily take a #14 screw.

Bill

Re: screw size

Mark Kauder, Phenix City, AL

>Keith,

If you are going into endgrain, you might try the process that I heard of from Wally Dickerman, and a process used by many furniture makers - cross drill the base of the wood, and glue in dowels so that when you screw onto it you are screwing into some cross grain.

Mark

Re: screw size

Ken Grunke

>As others have said, coarse thread screws are best. I use #10 bugle-head screws, 1" long for turnings 10-12" long and use all 8 holes in my 3" faceplate.

When driving the screws in, don't spin them past the point of bottoming out--that will weaken the grip! I'll use a hand screwdriver to do the final tightening if needed, or set the clutch on your driver drill to slip a little sooner.

Re: screw size

keith zimmerman, Normal IL

>Thanks Bill. That is just the info I needed. I will have to drill out those tiny holes in the Jet faceplate so I can use better screws.

keithz

Thanks to all

keith zimmerman, Normal IL

>