Tikiguy Posted April 30, 2013 Report Share Posted April 30, 2013 I was asked to make a friend some drawer pulls and cabinet handles. How do I embed the machine screws into the piece so the screw doesn't crack the handle as it dries? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted April 30, 2013 Report Share Posted April 30, 2013 Clay shrinks and will crack with the screw left in How about using a metal screw insert in the pull. Make an oversize hole that will fit insert when fired (shrinks 12% or less)then epoxy insert into pull and screw into insert. If you want the screw than ream out the screw hole a bunch and let shrink without screw-fire and hope it fits then-I would do the insert hole and glue. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJR Posted April 30, 2013 Report Share Posted April 30, 2013 Mark is correct. Don't fire the screws in the kiln. Make a hollow in the back of your pull so that you can cement the screw in after firing. TJR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted April 30, 2013 Report Share Posted April 30, 2013 HERE. A brass insert is glued in after firing. Drill the hole when leather hard, just slightly deeper than you'll need. You'll have to calculate for shrinkage to see what size drill bit to use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtomicAxe Posted April 30, 2013 Report Share Posted April 30, 2013 What mark said. slightly bigger hole than threaded pole, when fired ... epoxy in. Threaded shafts are easy to find .. just make sure you get nuts and washers to go with them at the same time so it's a match and a simple matter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted April 30, 2013 Report Share Posted April 30, 2013 I fixed the link above. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pres Posted April 30, 2013 Report Share Posted April 30, 2013 I fixed the link above. I did pulls years ago, and instead of regular epoxy I used the plumbers type epoxy putty. It has a little more body, and can be filed or tooled afterwards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted April 30, 2013 Report Share Posted April 30, 2013 I used epoxy putty for a while, but found it to be a bit awkward and messy, and required too much tooling and cleanup. The last batch I did with regular 2 part epoxy in the tubes. I found that if the hole was about 1/16 inch deeper than the plug, and just a hair wider, like almost no wiggle, I could put a big drop of epoxy in the hole, slide in the plug and it would squeeze just enough glue up the sides to hold it perfectly without any oozing out. Did a batch of 20 in just a couple minutes. I mark my drill bit depth with a piece of tape when making the holes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tikiguy Posted April 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 30, 2013 All of these ideas are such a HUGE help..... Thank you all. If these are ^6, how much shrinkage should be expected? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tikiguy Posted April 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 30, 2013 This is the original sculpture for the pulls. I just finished prepping it for making a mold. when finished it'll have a short bamboo tube that carries it to the cabinet door. Sorry... I shot the photo with my Ipod, a little fuzzy. Thank you all for your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted April 30, 2013 Report Share Posted April 30, 2013 Shrinkage will depend on your clay body. Most cone 6 stonewares are around 12%, porcelains around 15%. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pres Posted May 1, 2013 Report Share Posted May 1, 2013 I used epoxy putty for a while, but found it to be a bit awkward and messy, and required too much tooling and cleanup. The last batch I did with regular 2 part epoxy in the tubes. I found that if the hole was about 1/16 inch deeper than the plug, and just a hair wider, like almost no wiggle, I could put a big drop of epoxy in the hole, slide in the plug and it would squeeze just enough glue up the sides to hold it perfectly without any oozing out. Did a batch of 20 in just a couple minutes. I mark my drill bit depth with a piece of tape when making the holes. never had much of a problem with mess. Roll out a coil thinner than hole, ram in the screw, compact the top edge with old credit card. File when dry. Different strokes for different folks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted May 1, 2013 Report Share Posted May 1, 2013 Different strokes for different folks. Exactly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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