Pilot Hole Sizes For Wood Screws

 

Pilot Hole Sizes For Wood Screws
Screw   Gauge #	Shank   Hole	Pilot   Soft Wood	Pilot   Hard Wood
0	1/16	1/64	1/32
1	5/64	1/32	1/32
2	3/32	1/32	3/64
3	7/64	3/64	1/16
4	7/64	3/64	1/16
5	1/8	1/16	5/64
6	9/64	1/16	5/64
7	5/32	1/16	3/32
8	11/64	5/64	3/32
9	3/16	5/64	7/64
10	3/16	3/32	7/64
11	13/64	3/32	1/8
12	7/32	7/64	1/8
14	1/4	7/64	9/64
16	17/64	9/64	5/32
18	19/64	9/64	3/16
20	21/64	11/64	13/64

Measurements for US Flag

 

Common Board Sizes

 

Crafting a Turning Saw (Bow Saw)

Fabricating the Frame

A turning saw, often likened to a miniature bow saw, shares similarities with a coping saw but boasts a larger frame typically around 12 inches in size. Tools for Working Wood offers a turning saw of exceptional quality for approximately $180, slightly beyond my intended budget. However, they generously furnish both the components and comprehensive blueprints for constructing one's own saw, a project well-suited for most woodworking enthusiasts. Accompanying the parts and plans is a detailed set of construction notes, facilitating the process significantly.

 

To commence the project, I procured a set of pins and three blades from TFWW, intending to fashion my own handles owing to the presence of a lathe in my workshop. The plans, when printed on legal-size paper with scaling disabled, yield accurately dimensioned templates. These templates, including those for the cheeks and stretcher, necessitate adherence to straight-grained stock due to the substantial stress these components endure. Once the templates are affixed to the chosen stock using an Elmer's glue stick, they serve as guides for cutting. Any residual adhesive can be easily eliminated with a wipe of mineral spirits, especially since sanding the wood is a subsequent step in the finishing process.

 

Minor deviations in the cutouts, as encountered in my own work, need not cause undue concern given the forgiving nature of the design. While alignment of the pinholes is desirable, the overall precision required is minimal, given the primary function of the saw—to provide blade tension and support during cutting operations. Any discrepancies can be remedied through carving or sanding adjustments during subsequent stages of assembly.

In the next phase, these roughed-out components will be transformed into finished parts, including the creation of knobs and a winding toggle.

 

• Free Plans:  https://toolsforworkingwood.com/extra/images/bowsaw/Gramercy_bows_full_8x14.pdf
• Notes:  https://toolsforworkingwood.com/store/more/bowsawplans.html
• Parts: https://toolsforworkingwood.com/store/item/GT-BOWS.XX

 

Assembling the Turning Saw: Completing the Construction

Following the shaping of the frame components, attention turned to the fabrication of the handles and the winding toggle, depicted in the accompanying image. Regrettably, photographing the process while utilizing power tools, including the lathe, proved cumbersome, necessitating a descriptive narrative in lieu of visual documentation.

 

The toggle begins as a ½” diameter cylinder, easily fashioned from offcuts derived from the saw material. After rounding the ends and forming a cove near one extremity to accommodate the tensioning strings and allow for pivoting under tension, the toggle is completed by flattening the opposite end into a paddle shape. Multiple methods exist for achieving this, but I opted for expediency, utilizing a stationary belt sander for a swift process lasting a mere 60 seconds.

 

Similarly, the handles, fashioned from walnut for their durability, were swiftly fashioned on the lathe. A ¼” hole bored into one end accommodates the blade pin, while the handle's simplistic form lends itself to a straightforward turning exercise, with precision being of secondary importance. After the completion of both handles, the blade pins are securely affixed in place using a slow-setting epoxy, ensuring a robust bond. Any excess epoxy is carefully managed, as the pins are pressed into position, exploiting the grooved design to facilitate adhesion.

For the finishing touch, a diluted boiled linseed oil is applied in two coats, providing both protection and aesthetic enhancement. With the components prepared, final assembly entails inserting the stretcher into the mortises and affixing the blade to the pins, akin to a coping saw. Following the recommended stringing method—utilizing 20lb (or stronger) braided fishing line—the toggle is employed to tension the blade, with personal discretion guiding the extent of tension applied.  The string/line is also available on the parts link above, but I had a fishing rod that used the braided line.

 

Acknowledging the subjective nature of tension requirements, experimentation and familiarity with the saw's nuances are recommended. As I acquaint myself with its operation, I intend to refine my understanding of optimal tension levels and share insights gained from practical experience. In conclusion, embarking on this endeavor proves to be both enjoyable and rewarding, offering a cost-effective solution to one's sawing needs.

 

Timber Intolerable?

Manning, S. F.- New England masts and the King's Broad Arrow

Greenwich, London: Trustees of the National Maritime Museum. (1979)

Agents Marking Trees with the King’s Broad Arrow

 Although this is not very much discussed when studying the "Intolerable Acts" leading up to the American Revolution, one cannot but wonder why this is so overlooked.  The biggest and most powerful navy in the world certainly needs ship masts.

England awoke to a timber crisis after commercial competition with the Dutch came to a breaking point. The Navigation Acts of 1651 had greatly limited imports into England, prompting Denmark to prey upon British ships as they sailed to and from the Baltic Sea transporting their timber cargo. It was at this time, on the eve of the first Anglo-Dutch War (1652–1654) that the Admiralty considered a plan to develop a North American source of timber and masts, and forgo possible crisis as a result of impending lengthy repair of battle-shattered masts.

North European fir had been the Admiralty's timber of choice for its mast construction. However, finding its supply chain obstructed, the Admiralty's second choice was the North American white pine. A shipload had been received from Jamestown in 1609 and another in 1634 from Penobscot Bay, both of which were found to be agreeable .[35] There is disagreement amongst scholars about which variety was the strongest, however the North American white pine was considered more resilient, one fourth lighter in weight, and exponentially larger; reaching a height of 250 feet, several feet in diameter at the base, and weighing in as much as 15 to 20 tons.  Accordingly, the Admiralty sent a fleet of mast ships in 1652 and thus began Britain's steady importation New England masts . 

Following the development of New England's shipbuilding industry, it became common for the British to retail New England ships due to significantly lower production costs. The abundance of naval stores and good timber enabled colonists to produce ships thirty percent cheaper than the English, making it the most profitable manufactured export during the colonial period.

The Admiralty's venture to get mast logs out of the New England forest, in turn, produced a labor force that with it developed into a booming domestic lumber industry. Since ninety-plus percent of New England pines harvested were unsuitable for masts, an important building and commodities lumber market emerged converting rejected masts into merchantable boards, joists and other structural lumber. Such was the success of the colonial entrepreneurs that the Crown became concerned that its newfound resource of dependable naval stores and masts would quickly dwindle.

In response, King William III enacted a new charter in October 1691 governing the Massachusetts Bay Colony, reserving for the King “all Trees of the Diameter of Twenty Four Inches and upwards” that were not previously granted to private persons. The portion of the charter quickly became known as the King's Broad Arrow. All timber consigned under the charter were marked with three strikes of an ax resembling an upside down arrow. The importance of the policy only increased with the onset of The Great Northern War (1700–1721), which all but halted Baltic exports to England. Consequently, British Parliament began passing a series of acts regulating imports from the Baltic and promoting imports from New England.

The Act of 1704 encouraged the import of naval stores form New England, offering £4 per ton of tar or pitch, £3 per ton of resin of turpentine, and £1 per ton of masts and bowsprits (40 cubic feet). The Act of 1705 forbade the cutting of unfenced or small pitch pine and tar trees with a diameter less than twelve inches. The Act of 1711 gave the Survey General of the King's Forests authority over all colonies from New Jersey to Maine. Lastly, the Act of 1721 extended dominion of the King's Forests to any trees not found within a township or its boundaries, and officially recognized the American word ‘lumber’ for the first time.
 
However, the acts and policy proved virtually impossible to enforce. A survey in 1700 documented more than fifteen thousand logs that violated the twenty-four-inch restriction.[40] Attempts to curb illegal lumbering continued under the appointment of John Bridger as survey general in 1705. His task was to survey and protect His Majesty's Woods, duties of which he performed with great enthusiasm. Bridger conducted extensive mast surveys, confiscated illegal timber, and prosecuted violators, to no avail. Colonists didn't care, and often disregarded the Broad Arrow mark. It became virtually impossible for a single surveyor with a few deputies to police the entire expanse of New England's forests. After much pleading on behalf of Bridger for more resources and authority, the Parliamentary Acts (1704–1729) slowly eased the burden of his charge. Ironically, in 1718 Bridger was removed for corruption and his predecessor, Colonel David Dunbar, treated the post with indifference.

The effects of the policy on the American economy remains unclear. Without the Admiralty's quest for choice timber, the American lumber industry may not have developed as quickly. Certainly, the policy ensured a steady, reliable source of mast timber during England's ascension to naval dominance, but at a price. Perceived violations of property rights on New England colonists served only to stoke the embers of rebellion. Shipments of New England timber continued unabated until the outbreak of the Revolutionary War. The last supply of New England masts reached the home country on July 31, 1775, after more than 4500 white pines had been sent under the Broad Arrow policy.

The American industrial revolution caused the national demand for timber to spike. Prior to the Civil War, more than ninety percent of the nation's energy came from wood, fueling the great transportation vehicles of the era. As Americans settled the timber-starved Great Plains, they needed material from the lumber-rich parts of the nation with which to build their cities. The burgeoning railroad industry accounted for a fourth of the national lumber demand and required the product to build rail cars and stations, fashion ties, and power trains. Even as the coal began to replace wood as an energy source, the coal mining industry itself needed lumber to support its mining structures and create its own rail beds. Technological development helped the industry meet the soaring demand. New methods of transporting lumber, like the steam engine, provided the means to log further inland and away from water. New machines such as the circular saw and the band saw allowed forests to be felled with significantly improved efficiency. The resulting increased timber production saw New England forests become rapidly depleted, and American loggers began methodically cutting their way south and west in search of new forests. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_lumber_industry_in_the_United_States#

National Historic Marker Day - 26 April

Historic markers all across the nation provide a glimpse into the past and preserve history for future generations. On the last Friday in April each year, National Historic Marker Day invites volunteers and communities to come together to maintain their markers. Unfortunately, weather and time take their toll on these small monuments to history. By working together, we not only ensure these markers tell the stories to future generations, but we also take the opportunity to celebrate the history and culture they preserve.

NationalHistoricMarkerDay

Historic markers pop up all over the country. In fact, according to the Historical Marker Database, more than 157,000 historic markers preserve history across the United States. Look closely, and you will see them near significant natural formations, state and national trails, historic buildings and communities, and even cemeteries. They tell stories of cultural, national, and historical significance. They also remind us of the people who lived, worked, contributed, played, created, and survived in communities all across the country.

Many historic markers are neglected and in need of upkeep. National Historic Marker Day invites individuals and communities to come together to restore and preserve these glimpses into our culture and history.

HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL HISTORIC MARKER DAY

• Register your local or regional National Historic Marker Day event on the William G. Pomeroy Foundation website: wgpfoundation.org
• Volunteer to clean and preserve historic markers in your community.
• Share your event with others to showcase your progress and community spirit.
• Lead a fun educational activity to encourage student engagement with history.
• Join the conversation by using #NationalHistoricMarkerDay on social media.
• Follow the Pomeroy Foundation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to see photos from volunteers across the country.

NATIONAL HISTORIC MARKER DAY HISTORY

The William G. Pomeroy Foundation established National Historic Marker Day in 2021 to highlight the value historic markers bring to the entire country and encourage volunteers to help preserve them. More than three dozen volunteers across multiple states participated in the inaugural event. Volunteers were encouraged to take photos of their cleaning efforts and post them on social media. As the celebration's creator and official host, the Pomeroy Foundation curated a photo gallery and shared it on social media.

Logo

National Historic Marker Day

In 2022, the Registrar at National Day Calendar proclaimed National Historic Marker Day to be observed annually on the last day in April.