Frearson Screw Sizes

northplatteriver · February 15, 2019

Will be needing to replace some cut screws on the faces of some persimmons I am planning on refinishing. I have sniffed about all the threads I can on GolfWRX and from what I can see the size to use is #8 x 5/8 Frearson Wood Screw. Does this sound correct? Will be used for MacGregors if that makes a difference. This link is where I am looking, but any information that could be provided on a better size or source would be appreciated. I am guessing I may need a couple different sizes since the screws I see in the sole place are obviously larger than what I see on the inserts.

https://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=1829#MyReviewHeader

Is this the type of information that can be found in the old Maltby's golf books I have been holding off purchasing? Might be time to pull the trigger on that.

robert horneman · February 15, 2019

These are Bronze.Original were Brass.They don't carry #4 , #5 , or #7 screws.

#4 standard and #5 oversize for inserts.

#7 standard and #8 Oversize for soleplates.

Teevons might be able to help you with Brass screws.

deejaid · February 15, 2019

I’ve looked all over the net for brass frearsons with no luck. The bronze you found might be your best bet. And yes, #8 for the sole plate, 5/8”.

DM70 · February 16, 2019

If I'm buying Frearson bits for these screw sizes, would these work?

https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-FR2102-Extra-Hard-Frearson/dp/B004CTOEKM/ref=sr_1_1?s=power-hand-tools&ie=UTF8&qid=1550310958&sr=1-1&refinements=p_n_feature_five_browse-bin%3A3177278011

robert horneman · February 16, 2019

Yes. I have purchased these. #2 size is correct.

DM70 · February 16, 2019

Yes. I have purchased these. #2 size is correct.

Thanks, bought!

northplatteriver · February 25, 2019

Trying to bring this in for a landing... At this point I am purchasing some #2 Frearson bits for the screws (there are also #1 bits from what I have seen). For screws there are options but I want to try to nail it down to just two. I don't mind if I have to purchase a few more sizes, but it would be nice to just have the two I need for these MacGregor Tourneys...

For face inserts I see the ones listed below as easy to order. I have seen it suggested I could use #4, or #5 but do not know how long. I can't seem to find any #4 so the two selections for #5 are the following... Any suggestions on which one would be great...

#5 3/4

#5 5/8

For the sole plate, it has been suggested I can use #7 or #8. Fairly certain I am going to go with the #8 5/8 based upon DeeJaid's response, but wanted to be sure this is a good selection. The options I can find are...

#8 3/4

#8 5/8

I am assuming the #2 Frearson bit will work with both of these based on Robert Horneman's response.

Please let me know if it sounds like I am making correct decisions or if I am missing something. Ready to get the insert and sole plate epoxied back on and move this project forward as soon as I have screws and bits!

jurisvol · January 31

On 2/25/2019 at 10:44 AM, northplatteriver said:

Trying to bring this in for a landing... At this point I am purchasing some #2 Frearson bits for the screws (there are also #1 bits from what I have seen). For screws there are options but I want to try to nail it down to just two. I don't mind if I have to purchase a few more sizes, but it would be nice to just have the two I need for these MacGregor Tourneys...

For face inserts I see the ones listed below as easy to order. I have seen it suggested I could use #4, or #5 but do not know how long. I can't seem to find any #4 so the two selections for #5 are the following... Any suggestions on which one would be great...

#5 3/4

#5 5/8

For the sole plate, it has been suggested I can use #7 or #8. Fairly certain I am going to go with the #8 5/8 based upon DeeJaid's response, but wanted to be sure this is a good selection. The options I can find are...

#8 3/4

#8 5/8

I am assuming the #2 Frearson bit will work with both of these based on Robert Horneman's response.

Please let me know if it sounds like I am making correct decisions or if I am missing something. Ready to get the insert and sole plate epoxied back on and move this project forward as soon as I have screws and bits!

This is probably a long shot, but were you able to find an answer or test any of these?

northplatteriver · February 1

Sorry I was not. I would look on facebook for The Persimmon Golf Society group. There are some really excellent restorers there that I am sure will be able to assist you.

LeftyMac · February 4

One of the advantage of a Frearson screw is that unlike a Phillips head, one size of screwdriver works with all. Soleplates are a #8 and inserts tends to be a #5 (I have seen some differences in screws used in inserts). Most of the original screws I have seen are 5/8ths.

jurisvol · February 5

On 2/1/2024 at 10:24 AM, northplatteriver said:

Sorry I was not. I would look on facebook for The Persimmon Golf Society group. There are some really excellent restorers there that I am sure will be able to assist you.

Thank you. I’ll check out that group. I did purchase the Maltby book, but I can’t find anything about screw length.

What screws I have actually pulled from the face and sole do measure 1/2”

bcstones · February 5

3 hours ago, LeftyMac said:

One of the advantage of a Frearson screw is that unlike a Phillips head, one size of screwdriver works with all. Soleplates are a #8 and inserts tends to be a #5 (I have seen some differences in screws used in inserts). Most of the original screws I have seen are 5/8ths.

any idea of where I could find a Frearson screwdriver or bit?

jurisvol · February 5

23 minutes ago, bcstones said:

any idea of where I could find a Frearson screwdriver or bit?

Fairwindfasteners.com has the bits

bcstones · February 5

11 minutes ago, jurisvol said:

Fairwindfasteners.com has the bits

do they fit a regular screwdriver?

LeftyMac · February 5

6 hours ago, jurisvol said:

Thank you. I’ll check out that group. I did purchase the Maltby book, but I can’t find anything about screw length.

What screws I have actually pulled from the face and sole do measure 1/2”

Correct - sole plate 5/8ths. Insert 1/2 inch.

Chelanace · March 2

Did you find some face screws for the woods? I used to refinish old MacGregors and have some of the face screws. Also some of the backscrews that were used in the old clubs if you are interested.

Edited March 2 by Chelanace