The sky-high price of gold is a big concern for woodworkers and other manufacturing professionals alike. Loose piece plating offers an opportunity to reduce costs significantly by selectively applying the gold flash only on critical parts (contact end, pin or socket). This type of loose piece plating is extremely precise, allowing for large production runs and a high level of consistency. For the best results, the screw should be machined, cleaned, and inspected prior to loose piece plating.
In addition to saving money, loose piece plating offers the added benefit of avoiding the problem of galling between the screw head and threads when tightening. This is particularly important in applications requiring an elevated operating temperature, such as the fastening of electronic components or the mounting of threaded parts for heavy machinery.
Selective loose piece plating is not only more cost effective, but also more environmentally friendly than conventional full-metal plated screws. The process uses much less electrical energy than standard nickel and chrome plating, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 90 percent. In addition, the resulting product has a lower total weight due to the elimination of the nickel and chrome plating. In some cases, the use of loose piece plating can also eliminate the need for additional solder, making the final product less expensive and easier to handle.
Choosing the right screw for any wood project used to be simple: pick a zinc or brass screw in the appropriate size and length for the job at hand. But technological developments in wood products and construction have spawned an extensive range of new screw types in recent decades, giving woodworkers a seemingly endless selection from which to choose.
There are many different factors that affect the performance of wood screws, and each screw type has its own advantages for particular applications. For example, a drywall screw with a squarish point that pushes aside wood fibers instead of cleaving them is more resistant to pull-through and dimpling than traditional round head screws.
Regular steel screws rust easily, which can cause them to stain and discolor the surrounding wood. To prevent this, most wood screws are plated with bright zinc or black oxide. Zinc plating provides a decorative finish and corrosion resistance, while black oxide protects against serious rusting. Both these coatings, however, have their limitations.
