Lubricating screws works wonders – it reduces the amount of friction and driving torque, making the job easier on you, the screw, the driver bit and the tool.
However, this old trick has a downside – the glycerin found in most soaps makes screws hygroscopic, meaning they actually will draw moisture. This can prematurely rust screws and cause staining in some woods.
There are better alternatives:
- Screw wax
- Beeswax
- Paraffin – works great but can be a bit squeaky!
