Tuning screw rubbing/squeaking

[Coop1082]

Have a Halloran Macassar/Poplar box a local fella practically gave me today. He hasn't had it too long and sold it off to me for a heck of a price due to a weird squeak/eek/rubbing (hard to describe) the screw gives off when running the box fairly aggressively. Figured it was worth the buy being as I knew I could come here and ask for any possible ways to fix the issue or just eventually send it off to David to have it looked at. That said do any of you box gurus/makers have a way I could fix the sound?

[Coop1082]

Makes sense! It's more of a "in the hands" issue for what it's worth. Turned my phone video on, stepped off around 20 yards, ran the mess out of it, and you can't hear it over the video. Walked it in and when I got to practically right on top of the phone the sound was able to be picked out. If I pick the paddle up and spin it in circles there isn't a sound to be heard from the screw unless you stick your ear right up to it, but when you lay it on the rails and start running the sound shows up. Thanks for the reply Chris!

[Spring Creek Calls]

I've quieted spring/screw noise with a little bow string wax. I put a little on a q-tip, push the paddle down and wipe around the bottom side of the screw head. Removing the paddle and applying works also.

[pauld]

If it's the screw, wax. If it's the side there's probably a square spot on the ellipse of the box and the panel is grabbing it. It's fixable but if you've never done it before you may mess ya box up trying. That spot can be "rolled" and smoothed out. David tunes a good box. Check the screw first.

[Will]

I've sprayed graphite lube in a paper cup then used a q tip to place a drop down the screw hole. If in facts it's the screw. Worked on a few boxes that I've had squeak coming from the screw.

[fishr64]

I have the same box and had the same thing happen on humid days. If I put just a touch of pressure to keep the paddle from contacting the screw head it went away but wasn't sure how to correct it, until now. I'll be trying bowstring wax on it, thanks for the tip!

[Coop1082]

I appreciate all of the help and replies guys!

[jimmy w]

My dad always puts a little candle wax on all his box call screws so bow wax should work the same.gl

[Coop1082]

Just a update! I've had success with both graphite powder lube and bow string wax as well! The Halloran runs like a gem now thanks to the bow wax and I had two others that had some squeaking to them also that graphite lube fixed right up! Certainly appreciate all the help guys.

[Will]

I'm glad it worked out for ya brother!

[Spring Creek Calls]

Glad you got rid of the squeak. It is not a good sound in the woods.

[RossGander]

I have the same box and had the same thing happen on humid days. If I put just a touch of pressure to keep the paddle from contacting the screw head it went away but wasn't sure how to correct it, until now. I'll be trying bowstring wax on it, thanks for the tip!

Great tip trying this out too

[yelpaholic]

good post ,,,... thanks for the info had a marlin watkins with the same issue cleared it right up.. 

[vt35mag]

I've sprayed graphite lube in a paper cup then used a q tip to place a drop down the screw hole. If in facts it's the screw. Worked on a few boxes that I've had squeak coming from the screw.

I talked with Marlin about this issue, and he suggested I try this method when needed.