I keep stripping the screw

mh1923

Hmm... that sounds a little naughty, doesn't it?

I'm trying to attach a barrel bolt to the front door. My husband has arthritis in his hands, so it has to be me. It has eight little bitty brass screws with a phillips head (that's the American term... the little x at the top instead of a slot). I made a pilot hole with a hammer and nail and then started screwing. But before I get it halfway in, the screwdriver starts slipping in the head of the screw and shaving off bits of the screw. I tried making the pilot hole as deep as the screw, but it keeps happening. The screwdriver is definitely the right one for the job, as it fits perfectly.

So what am I doing wrong? Is brass especially soft? Is the wood of the door especially hard? Or am I just rubbish at DIY? :rolleyes: I got brass to match the fittings that were already there, but I'm willing to sacrifice beauty for utility!

-Michelle

david78

Its probably a hard wood door.

Try rubbing a little washing-up liquid on the thread of each screw. This is about the only tip I remember from my woodwork lessons as school, and it has served me well over the years. If you do this the screw will go in much easier.

italiastar

Yep, Brass is very soft - I fact it can break in the wood, which is even worse. Try the tip above or rubbing it accross wet soap - also make sure the screwdriver is not worn and keep it in line with the screw.

Good luck

trumpet_2

If you use a steel screw the same size as the brass screw first this will cut the thread which will make the brass screw go in easy.

Plasticman

Drill a pilot hole, screw a steel screw in first and put some vaseline on the screw thread. Should be OK.

wobbley

Not all cross-head screws are the same. There's Phillips, Pozidrive, and Prodrive. It may seem like a perfect fit but often isn't. It's a very easy thing to get the wrong size and strip the head in the screw. If it is the right size you have then make sure you keep the screwdriver straight and at right angles to the screw. Probably best way though is to get some decent screws of the same size, especially as its a lock.

boogiemaster

Rub some candle wax on the screw and it will go in easy, I’ve never loved brass screws as they are really too soft and love to snap.
Get the screws that look like brass, but they are made from steel and wont snap on you.
The screw should tell you what size screw driver to use on the packet to save you damaging the head.
Drill the pilot hole just slightly smaller than the screw, don’t just drill a very small hole as the screw will tighten up and get stuck or snap.
The screw only needs a small amount of resistance to tighten up, if the hole is too small that’s why you’re breaking the screws like you are doing.