Saturday, August 14, 2010

Just "Screw it"

Yes, yes. I know it has been a long time since I posted but we all have our reasons right. Mine are as follows: Graduating (finally) and getting my PhD, getting a new job, moving across the country for said new job, expecting our third daughter in November and losing what little shop space I had. But hey as my wife says I have "male nesting" going on, so I need to build something. And the project is.......Bunk Beds. Our two girls share a room and bed right now and with the addition of a third coming it seemed like a good time to give the oldest a little more space of her own. She has taken to sleeping on the floor to get away from her younger sister.

So anyway, why the post title? Gold star screws is the reason. I might never go back to phillips. They are self drilling....no really they are. They have a Torx head on them so you don't have to press down to keep the bit engaged in the screw. I know, Torx you say, not everyone has a Torx bits lying around. But in fact if you do any car maintenance on newer cars you have come across them, in quantity. Also, the bit was sold right next to the display for $0.88.

I would HIGHLY recommend these screws. Just as a disclaimer, Gold star did not give me anything for this. I was simply at the hardware store, saw them and thought I might give them a try.

For the Bunk beds, it will be a twin on top and a full on the bottom (we have the mattresses already so no need to by new ones). I am making them out of "2 by" white pine material. The rails will be 2x6 and the legs will be a corner made from a 2x4 screwed and glued to a 2x6. They will be sturdy that is for sure. Probably way over engineered but it puts my mind at ease. I will post pics in a few days and the girls will probably be sleeping in them next weekend after a good coat of paint.