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Going to put in some eye screws under the deck for a swing.

Should I add some glue in the predrill for extra durability?

I've also read vaseline is good for easier installation, but that's opposite of what I'm asking...

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vaseline is good after the install of the eyebolts to avoid corrosion and squeaks – ratchet freak Apr 29 '12 at 21:58
You want to place a large amount of consideration on the safety margin of the eye screw when used in a swing application. Or any vertical hanging application for that matter!! Look carefully at the load ratings of the screws used. Also consider using a larger diameter and longer thread length to get more engagement with the wood. Also be aware that when using a eye screw there is an ideal size to pre-drill into the wood - not too large and not too small. Installing with too small or no pre-drill will tend to split the wood resulting in a much lower strength assembly than with the ideal hole. – Michael Karas Dec 12 '12 at 14:19

1 Answer

up vote 6 down vote accepted

Are you using an eye bolt or an eye screw?
Eye bolt OR         Eye screw

For an eye screw, glue won't do much and is not needed. (Although some glues may act as a lubricant when you first screw-in the eye-screw.) Use bar soap or beeswax as a lubricant.

For an eye bolt, especially if you want it to be able to pivot, use appropriate washers, plus two nuts with a lock-washer in between. For extra reliability use Loctite, not glue, where the nuts and eye-bolt meet.

If you don't need/want pivoting action, then one nut may suffice, but Loctite is even more important because such eye-bolts always loosen their compressive grip on the wood over time.

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it is actually an eye screw vertically going into a vertical 2x6. I will be adding a chain connector, and then the swing chain. I was just wondering if the glue would give even just a bit more stability. – eych Apr 30 '12 at 13:16
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If the glue bonds both wood and metal, and it makes you feel better, go ahead and use it. In my experience, it is not necessary though. – Brock Adams Apr 30 '12 at 23:18

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