I have always understood the affection for split nuts to exist because (1)
they have a very neat appearance - they just "look cool" and (2) they are an
indicator of age.

But I agree that they definitely are more fussy than the more modern
counterpart.

- Bill T.

-----Original Message-----
From: oldtools-bounces@r...
[mailto:oldtools-bounces@r...] On Behalf Of paul womack
Sent: Thursday, January 17, 2008 7:57 AM
To: oldtools
Subject: [OldTools] Split nuts?

reading this:
http://www.woodworking-magazine.com/blog/Things+To+Buy+Gramercy+Splitnut+Dri
ver.aspx

reminded me of my "various" screwdrivers for saw-nuts.

But it also provoked a question. WHY do people like split nuts? They need a
special driver, and are normally quite thin, and thus have a small number of
threads, leading to them being rather weak.

Compare and contrast a modern slotted "barrel nut", which is much stronger,
and can hold better and can be tightened with a normal screwdriver (most of
the time ;-)

Despite this, I definitely note an air
of delight when someone finds a "split nut"
saw. Is this because of some merit
in split nuts that I've failed to spot,
or is it simply that split-nuts are an
indicator of age?

    BugBear
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