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Author Topic:   Woodworking tool question

Robob2003 posted 03-04-2004 09:12 AM ET (US)
I have an old drill bit gadget which I believe is called a "screwmate" which drills a thread hole, a shank pilot hole and countersinks all in one operation.
It has a bit held in the jig with an allen head setscrew and is numbered like a screw but can be adjusted for different screw lengths.
I need to buy some new ones for #10 and #12 screws but can only find tapered bits or "insty-bits" which countersink but do not drill a larger diameter pilot hole for the wood screw shaft. The problem with these is that they do not allow the threads to draw the attached pieces together.
The last time I bought any there was also available a cheaper one piece stamped version that was like a small spade bit.
Does anyone know if either are still available?
Thanks for your help.
Bob on Tampa Bay
Dick posted 03-04-2004 12:14 PM ET (US)
Bob
Try www.grizzly.com
Their G2575 set sounds like what you are looking for.
Two other good sources for woodworking are:
www.woodcraft.com
www.rockler.com
Dick
Tom W Clark posted 03-04-2004 12:26 PM ET (US)
Bob,
There are lot of pilot bits that will drill a pilot hole like you describe. Fuller makes a line of tapered drill bits with an integral counter sink. I do not like these fancy bits at all, nor am I an advocate of wood screws on almost anything. Sheet metal screws work much better and is what Whaler used almost exclusively on their wood work after the early 1970s.
My preference is to drill a pilot into the piece receiving the threads and then oversize the hole through he piece being drawn to it. I can go on and on about this, but why don't you provide an example of what you are trying to accomplish and then we can discuss that application and the different ways of going about it and what bits to use.
Kingsteven18 posted 03-04-2004 03:35 PM ET (US)
I'm pretty sure they were a 'Stanley' product. I used to sell them. Maybe a Stanley dealer can help you.
kingfish posted 03-04-2004 03:45 PM ET (US)
I prefer to develop screw holes as Tom describes, with stainless sheet metal screws and the oversize hole of a big enough diameter that I can turn the screw when the head is seated in the countersink, if not by hand then with a driver and not much pressure. Short of that, you don't really have the ability to draw one piece of material to the other; all you do set the distance between the two pieces if the threads are able to bite into the sides of the screw holes in both pieces.
Robob2003 posted 03-04-2004 06:53 PM ET (US)
Thanks to all.
To: Dick,
Thank you for the info.
I often buy from all of the sources named. All they have are tapered drills with countersinks.
To:
Tom W Clark,
I have been using stainless steel #10 and #12 flathead screws which require a countersink. The problem with the Fuller bits is that it is necessary to drill an additional pilot hole so the screw is not biting into both pieces being attached ie, 1/4 or 1/2 inch plywood to solid frames. It is only possible to do a good job with both pieces held in a clamp or requiring the extra step of drilling a slightly larger pilot hole for the shank of the screw. I'm too old for an unnecessary extra step.

To:
Kingsteven 18,
It was a Stanley product which is no longer made.
Stanley is largely history:-(
There is an identical item called a Disston "screwdigger" on an Internet site from the UK. Trying to find out if they will ship to the US.
Again, thanks to all,
Bob on Tampa Bay
whalerron posted 03-04-2004 11:08 PM ET (US)
robob...
I just bought one of those bits at Clarkes Hardware in Ellicott City, MD. The store is an Ace Hardware franchise so maybe you can find them at your local Ace Hardware.
The bits are made by Vermont American and they had a full selection of sizes. I bought a #10.
Go to Vermont American's website
http://www.vatool.com/Catalogs
and look for "Hex Shank Screw Pilots" or use their "search" engine with part number 16510
- ron
Robob2003 posted 03-05-2004 11:47 AM ET (US)
Thanks.
I'll check it out right away.
Bob on Tampa Bay
Robob2003 posted 03-05-2004 11:49 AM ET (US)
Whalerron,
That's the baby alright:-)
I'll check with my local ACE hardware store.
Thanks again.
whalerron posted 03-05-2004 09:36 PM ET (US)
Robob,
Did you find the bits at Ace?
Robob2003 posted 03-07-2004 01:36 PM ET (US)
Whalerron,
Thanks a million. I not only found one at ACE hardware but a set of 4 from #6 to #12 for less than 15 bucks.
Thanks to you I am once again a happy camper:-)
Bob on Tampa Bay
whalerron posted 03-07-2004 09:42 PM ET (US)
Your original post was timed perfectly. I am in the process of replacing one of the maghogany seat boards in my 16'7" and I was looking for a good countersink. I stumbled across those bits shortly before I saw your post.
Those bits do a great job. I think I will get a set too.
- ron
Robob2003 posted 03-08-2004 08:09 AM ET (US)
Whalerron,
With those bits, phillips head screws and a cordless drill/screwdriver the work goes much faster than the old-fashioned way.
Just remember, measure twice and cut once:-)
Bob on Tampa Bay

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Author	Topic: Woodworking tool question
Robob2003	posted 03-04-2004 09:12 AM ET (US) I have an old drill bit gadget which I believe is called a "screwmate" which drills a thread hole, a shank pilot hole and countersinks all in one operation. It has a bit held in the jig with an allen head setscrew and is numbered like a screw but can be adjusted for different screw lengths. I need to buy some new ones for #10 and #12 screws but can only find tapered bits or "insty-bits" which countersink but do not drill a larger diameter pilot hole for the wood screw shaft. The problem with these is that they do not allow the threads to draw the attached pieces together. The last time I bought any there was also available a cheaper one piece stamped version that was like a small spade bit. Does anyone know if either are still available? Thanks for your help. Bob on Tampa Bay
Dick	posted 03-04-2004 12:14 PM ET (US) Bob Try www.grizzly.com Their G2575 set sounds like what you are looking for. Two other good sources for woodworking are: www.woodcraft.com www.rockler.com Dick
Tom W Clark	posted 03-04-2004 12:26 PM ET (US) Bob, There are lot of pilot bits that will drill a pilot hole like you describe. Fuller makes a line of tapered drill bits with an integral counter sink. I do not like these fancy bits at all, nor am I an advocate of wood screws on almost anything. Sheet metal screws work much better and is what Whaler used almost exclusively on their wood work after the early 1970s. My preference is to drill a pilot into the piece receiving the threads and then oversize the hole through he piece being drawn to it. I can go on and on about this, but why don't you provide an example of what you are trying to accomplish and then we can discuss that application and the different ways of going about it and what bits to use.
Kingsteven18	posted 03-04-2004 03:35 PM ET (US) I'm pretty sure they were a 'Stanley' product. I used to sell them. Maybe a Stanley dealer can help you.
kingfish	posted 03-04-2004 03:45 PM ET (US) I prefer to develop screw holes as Tom describes, with stainless sheet metal screws and the oversize hole of a big enough diameter that I can turn the screw when the head is seated in the countersink, if not by hand then with a driver and not much pressure. Short of that, you don't really have the ability to draw one piece of material to the other; all you do set the distance between the two pieces if the threads are able to bite into the sides of the screw holes in both pieces.
Robob2003	posted 03-04-2004 06:53 PM ET (US) Thanks to all. To: Dick, Thank you for the info. I often buy from all of the sources named. All they have are tapered drills with countersinks. To: Tom W Clark, I have been using stainless steel #10 and #12 flathead screws which require a countersink. The problem with the Fuller bits is that it is necessary to drill an additional pilot hole so the screw is not biting into both pieces being attached ie, 1/4 or 1/2 inch plywood to solid frames. It is only possible to do a good job with both pieces held in a clamp or requiring the extra step of drilling a slightly larger pilot hole for the shank of the screw. I'm too old for an unnecessary extra step. To: Kingsteven 18, It was a Stanley product which is no longer made. Stanley is largely history:-( There is an identical item called a Disston "screwdigger" on an Internet site from the UK. Trying to find out if they will ship to the US. Again, thanks to all, Bob on Tampa Bay
whalerron	posted 03-04-2004 11:08 PM ET (US) robob... I just bought one of those bits at Clarkes Hardware in Ellicott City, MD. The store is an Ace Hardware franchise so maybe you can find them at your local Ace Hardware. The bits are made by Vermont American and they had a full selection of sizes. I bought a #10. Go to Vermont American's website http://www.vatool.com/Catalogs and look for "Hex Shank Screw Pilots" or use their "search" engine with part number 16510 - ron
Robob2003	posted 03-05-2004 11:47 AM ET (US) Thanks. I'll check it out right away. Bob on Tampa Bay
Robob2003	posted 03-05-2004 11:49 AM ET (US) Whalerron, That's the baby alright:-) I'll check with my local ACE hardware store. Thanks again.
whalerron	posted 03-05-2004 09:36 PM ET (US) Robob, Did you find the bits at Ace?
Robob2003	posted 03-07-2004 01:36 PM ET (US) Whalerron, Thanks a million. I not only found one at ACE hardware but a set of 4 from #6 to #12 for less than 15 bucks. Thanks to you I am once again a happy camper:-) Bob on Tampa Bay
whalerron	posted 03-07-2004 09:42 PM ET (US) Your original post was timed perfectly. I am in the process of replacing one of the maghogany seat boards in my 16'7" and I was looking for a good countersink. I stumbled across those bits shortly before I saw your post. Those bits do a great job. I think I will get a set too. - ron
Robob2003	posted 03-08-2004 08:09 AM ET (US) Whalerron, With those bits, phillips head screws and a cordless drill/screwdriver the work goes much faster than the old-fashioned way. Just remember, measure twice and cut once:-) Bob on Tampa Bay