Wax, wax, wax them screws!

[scartozi]

I've read a few posts about people stripping out bridge screws, neck screws and tuner screws upon installation, especially a new installation. I deal with using screws in metal, aluminum and wood on a daily basis at work. We use a product from CRL, it's a Lubricating Wax, you don't need to use that specifically, any type of beeswax, even bar soap or scrape the screw across a candle. It makes a world of difference and I use it on everything, makes installing 6 hole trem bridges a piece of cake. When I install new tuners I take a drywall screw which has a sharp and small point and press to make a 1/16" hole, wax the screw and screw it in. I've never had to pre-drill for tuner screws, larger screws yes. So, please use wax when installing screws, it'll save you a lot of time and stripped out screws.....not to mention a few cuss words :icon_biggrin: ....and the right size screw driver doesn't hurt either.

 

[-CB-]

I'm not big on the "bar of soap" method - only because soap will tend to absorb humidity and hold it.  I've dealt with screws that had rusted within the wood, where on the outside they look fine.  Why?  Soap used as a lube when stickin' em in there.  Wax wont hold humidity (as much).  I use an old candle, and scrape the screw on it just like you suggested.

 

[tomroffey666]

Would Vaseline be good choice as well? Or will that damage the wood?

 

[Jusatele]

I could, I really could, But I am not going to say it

 

[Mor Paul]

I could, I really could, But I am not going to say it

Don't.

 

[Superlizard]

I could, I really could, But I am not going to say it

"Do it."

 

[Jusatele]

one more positive vote and I will have too

 

[Cagey]

Would Vaseline be good choice as well? Or will that damage the wood?

Among other things, it'll soften the wood, so it's a bad choice. Wax is the stuff to use, preferably beeswax, although some guys use candle wax, paraffin, or crayons. It's pretty inexpensive - it'll actually cost more to ship than to buy. Check the link. That'll be enough to last you years.

 

[Jusatele]

cagey, you know many guys have used vaseline with no damage to their wood, that k y gel is  a more recomended method, but it is a teenagers staple to use vaseline.

oh, darn, are we speaking guitars, Oh yea you are correct. I guess I misunderstood the question. Vaseline bad, very bad

 

[Cagey]

Yeah, I was uncharacteristically trying to keep my mind out of the gutter and on answering the guy's question <grin>

 

[bagman67]

Would Vaseline be good choice as well? Or will that damage the wood?

Among other things, it'll soften the wood, so it's a bad choice. Wax is the stuff to use, preferably beeswax, although some guys use candle wax, paraffin, or crayons. It's pretty inexpensive - it'll actually cost more to ship than to buy. Check the link. That'll be enough to last you years.

Leaving aside the myriad opportunities to capitalize on poor Scartozi's  innocent question's more salacious ramifications... I'd be surprised if you can't buy a 100% beeswax votive candle in any local gift shop, hippie-dippie healthfood market, or mall in the greater Columbus area.  Just do that on your usual errands, and save the shipping.  It's not like you need tons of the stuff.

Peace

Bagman

 

[Cagey]

It's not like you need tons of the stuff.

That's true. I've got about 6 ounces of the stuff that I've had for many years and it's barely been consumed at all. I use it for some drill bits, some taps, and some screws. But, you just barely touch it to get a bit on and you're all set, so it lasts seemingly forever. You're more likely to get sick of looking the worn out packaging than you are to use it up.

 

[Jusatele]

I bought a plug of the stuff from a leather working store, like tandy leather, and have had it for 10 years, about every 6 months I pull it out to use it to make something slip, such as what we are talking about and it does not seem to go bad

 

[scartozi]

This is the stuff I use at work on a daily basis, I go through quite a bit of it......works great

http://www.crlaurence.com/crlapps/showline/offerpage.aspx?Productid=10384&GroupID=8619&History=39324:112:2182:8613&ModelID=8619

 

[Cagey]

That's similar to what I use. A tube will last the average guy about 100 years.

 

[anorakDan]

Visit your local hardware store. They should carry beeswax in the fastener section. If not, ask them to order some. I work at an Ace and I know we carry it.

 

[llmtelecaster]

At work we sometimes use something called BoeLube on our drill bits when we're drilling and tapping metal pieces. Stuff works great. It was invented by engineers at Boeing. I'm thinking I might give that stuff a try when I install my next neck.

 

[Strat Avenger]

Good advice. I used wax on screws when I assembled my Soloist. I used it on the Floyd Rose locking nut (it's top-mounted), the Strap-Lock button screws, the neck mounting screws, the output jack mounting screws, and the spring claw screws. Didn't really need it for the electronics cover plate screws, or the pickup screws (they are direct-mounted).

 

[amigarobbo]

Would Vaseline be good choice as well? Or will that damage the wood?

I hope so, I just used some Vaseline to lube up the tip before twisting a screw home into some firm wood.

I've used it before with no ill effect.

Yes I did have the song Bobby Brown by Frank Zappa stuck in my head for some reason...

I've just noticed that my little tub was 'Best before sep 2003'?  :toothy11:

 

[AirCap]

Chapstick. Been using it in the shop for almost 40 years. It will lube a sticky nut slot, keep all the moving parts of a guitar bridge easily adjustable, and ease a screw into a hard piece of wood. Easy to apply with a toothpick, low melting point if you want it to flow. It will also keep sandpaper from clogging when polishing out a finish touch-up or shining a metal pickup cover with Scotchbrite. It will put a soft shine on a freshly fabbed bone nut. I like cherry flavor.