- Joined
- Jan 1, 2008
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I've been asking myself, "I wonder how much tension a screw will hold in wood?" So, I did a little test. Using a piece of spruce capstrip measuring 3"x1/2"x5/16", I drilled a #40 hole through the 5/16" direction. I cut a strip of .032" aluminum about four inches long and drilled a hole in it also. Then I used a 1/2" long #6 SS wood screw and put it through the hole in the aluminum, and screwed it snugly into the capstrip. I folded the aluminum around the screw head and drilled a hole through the two ends, then ran a few loops of safety wire through the holes and formed a loop (explanation getting long here, bear with me). I looped a length of rope through some weights and hung them on the safety wire loop. I placed the capstrip in a vice with the jaws open so that the capstrip is spanning 2-3/8". I began with 10lbs, and thought that was pretty good. I kept working up, leaving it hanging for a day at a time. Right now I have 70lbs hanging on that screw!! Who woulda thunk it? Tomorrow I'll add the last 10lb weight and see what happens. Amazing! If I can get my guru son here I'll get him to download some pics.
Danny
Danny
