[ Vincent Morgan wrote:

> If you heat new screws to slightly red hot and then quickly dump
> them into motor oil, when cleaned, you will have black screws that
> look like antiques.

Vincent and everybody,  After it is quenched in oil, the screw will be
very hard to the point of being brittle.  One would have to exercise
care in driving to prevent chipping or breakage.

Without quenching, the heating actually anneals the steel and the
metal becomes soft and malleable.  For decorative use, or extremely
light loads this would be an appropriate treatment.  Be careful when
driving, because it will be very easy to "bugger up" the head and slot.

Jim McFarland