I recently removed (13) storm windows from a house to do some work on the windows. The storm windows sat inside (2) vertical “c”channels that were caulked and screwed to the window frames. I now need to reinstall these storm windows so I’m trying to get some ideas on the best way to do it. It appears that originally the “c” channels were placed on the storm window and then the whole assembly was put into place. The screws appear to have been put through a hole in the storm window frame and then screwed through the channel into the wood window frame to secure the whole assembly. I still have most of the original screws that secured the channels to the window. Attached is a picture of them. My questions are:
1. does anyone know where I could get more of these screws?
2. the screws have a slot for a flat head bit but I do not have a bit that is long enough and narrow enough to extend through the holes in the storm window frame and into the channel to drive the screw? Is there a special bit for this? Am i misunderstanding the original install process?
Attached are some pics of the screw and storm window / channels. I hope this makes sense in writing, let me know if it doesnt and thanks in advance for any feedback
Replies
How long?
do you figure the bit needs to be? Most displays at lumberyards that hold tips and bits in a plexi box have a 6" phillipsl. While I've not seen one that I remember (haven't looked either), I would assume they would have one or be able to order.
Or,
predrill and screw it by hand .
Or.
cut a screwdriver's handle off and chuck it up in a drill motor.
Need magnetic-maybe stick a earth magnet on it.
Blaine Hardware might be a source for the replacement screws. They have alot of window related hardware. Nice folks, give 'em a call if you can't find it on the site.
http://blainehardware.com/
McFeely's perhaps
http://www.mcfeelys.com/
Ideal would be allen-head screws, but I'm not sure you can get them in a wood screw.
You should be able to find round-head phillips screws, which should work OK.
If need be you can always grind down a flat screwdriver to fit through the holes. You can do it with a small wheel chucked in a hand drill if you don't have a grinder or drill press.
Dan
I assembled a router table that had allen headed cap screws.
Worst day of my life.
Sure, first time you got it connected-fine.
Remove and re-insert? Horrible.
Star drive maybe.
Odd -- virtually every screw on a modern bicycle is allen head, and I've never had any particular trouble with them. In the OP's case the ticket would be to use a bit of beeswax or some such in the allen socket, to hold the screw to the wrench while inserting.
An allen headed wood screw?
I suppose you could saw off the "handle" of an allen wrench, certainly wouldn't find a long allen headed tip for a screw gun.
I just don't see it.
Be easier finding the manufacturer of that window if the screen frame was included and seeing if they had the screws.
I've been waiting to say this after reading it so often-
I've drived hundreds of thousands of screws in my job..............................blah blah blah.
thanks.
So you think a screw gun is necessary? Never used an Armstrong driver??
I've used a yankee
and I use a screw gun.
and I've used my hand.
So you think a screw gun is
Necessary? No.
Would I be using one? Sure.
here are some more pics of the storm window and channels
I see the tip of the screw well enough.........
you got one of the channel you're going to stick that screw and bit into?
edit: I'm sorry. The hole in the face of that alum is what you go through to get to the screw you showed?
What does that tip of the screw you see further back do? fasten the window jamb to............ext. casing?
yep. the screws in the earlier picture are the ones that go through the channel into the wood window frame. I have the exposed screws that go through the channel into the storm window - those are the holes in the face of the channel that you see.
I should have gotten a pic of the hole in the storm window that the screw goes through. I think all it comes down to is that i'll have to make a custom driver/bit and find additional hardware that will fit
odd place to hang a light fixture...............
I guess you've got some work to do on the sash as well.
I gather that the problem is that the screws are installed by working through a hole/slot in the storm frame? The whole mounting scheme seems half-arsed -- if you think on it you can probably come up with a different scheme. Even face-screwing the storms to the window frame would seem to make more sense.
BTW, love that repair plate on the window sash.