Reed & Prince (Frearson Drive) Seat Screws Needed

[Dave Osborn]

Restoring a Penn Yan Rainbow and need 12-24 x 4" flat head seat screws.
I've looked for some on the net...no luck. Would substitute with Phillips drive, but can't find any of those in brass or bronze either.. checked with the PennYan guy, too..
Anybody have any extra's? Or a source?

 

[MGC]

Even these guys are coming up short...
https://www.boltdepot.com/Wood_screws_Frearson_flat_head_Silicon_bronze_12.aspx
Looks like a size up will get you to 4 inch...I'm having a similar problem trying to track down some brass hardware..

 

[Dave Osborn]

Mike,
Need machine screws....
Some distributors don't even carry
12-24 machine screws. They jump from #10 to 1/4".
Dave

 

[MGC]

Whoops, dope slap....sorry about that.

 

[David Satter]

Dave, try www.hamiltonmarine.com their very good.

 

[vtwoodworker]

Try Tom Koroknay at http://www.lymanboat.com/ he has been my go to for SB frearson fasteners ... If he doesnt have any, he can point you to someone.

 

[Dave Wermuth]

Hey DavieO, let us know if you find those elusive 12 x 24s.

 

[Dave Osborn]

I contacted the Lyman guy before my first post. He did not have what I was looking for and did not offer any sources.

I spent 30 years in the fastener industry in various positions. I started as a machine operator and grew to hate Frearson drive screws. We didn't make a lot of them. The punch that made the recess just never held up well.

At any rate, here is what I do now to give myself the best chance at saving the screws as I remove them.....
Because the recess (fastener term) is so funnel shaped, it really fills up with paint and varnish. I apply stripper to each screw head, allow some time, then blow it out with compressed air. I apply stripper and do it again, using a pick if I have to to remove all debris in the recess. It is important to have full engagement with the driver bit when removing them.
ALWAYS use a Frearson driver... never Phillips. They are available at Jamestown.
Push hard on the driver to get full bit engagement and go slow as you start to remove the screw.

Seems it's easier to do this than find new screws... good luck

 

[Dan Lindberg]

Dave,
FWIW, the PY I did a while back had oval head, straight blade screws, they were original.
Dan

 

[Dave Wermuth]

I have a Milwaukee 12v cordless impact drive that removes all types of screws painlessly. Even steel.

 

[Sandon or Sandy]

Dave - Reviving an older post. Did you ever fin a source for Frearson 12-24 x4" flat heads machine screws? Either in Bronze or Brass? Thank you.

 

[Dave Osborn]

I don’t think I found a source. I don’t recall what I did, either.
You can check with this guy.

Parts & Accessories

www.pennyanboats.com

Robert Ro$$ might have some.
Gil Cramer might have some.
eBay is a possibility
Fairwind Fasteners?
Good luck

I think there were some in the box that came with your canoe.?

 

[Sandon or Sandy]

Thank you, Dave. I did a fair bit of Internet, searches for Frearson wood screws for the Willits restoration. And yes, I did buy some from Fairwind. And I’ve seen your posts about using the Frearson drivers for Frearson fasteners and I am in completed agreement.

There were four Frearson machine screws along with the dowel spacers for the bow seat. I do not think that when I first received the canoe that it had the stern seat in and I think the machine screws might’ve been missing. But, hey, that’s all part of the fun.

Thank you for the leads.