How It's Made
Our blacksmiths begin with a high quality blank, ensuring that the lag's shank displays the strength and standard sizing for modern applications. The blank is heated in the forge and carefully hammered, distressed, or smoothed to perfection using traditional methods and tools. Once the texture is applied and the lag has been cooled, it will move through our paint room where our skilled painter hand-applies any finish of your choosing.
FAQs
Q. What are hex lag screws used for?
A. Hex lag screws are heavy-duty fasteners designed for structural applications like timber framing, decorative beams, exterior accents, and weight-bearing installations. They provide exceptional holding power in wood.
Q. How do your hex lag screws differ from big-box hardware?
A. Every screw is crafted with a higher-grade steel, sharper threads, and superior tempering. Our screws hold tighter, last longer, and offer historic or rustic styling you simply can’t get from mass-produced imports.
Q. How do I choose the right size lag screw for my project?
A. Choose a shank that penetrates at least half the thickness of the wood you’re joining. For exposed or decorative applications, match the screw head size and length to the scale of your beam or timber. If you’re unsure, we can help you select the right size.
Q. What finishes and textures are available?
A. Old West Iron offers multiple finishes—from matte black and oil-rubbed bronze to rustic, hammered, and hand-distressed options. Textured heads are individually worked for an authentic, old-world look.
Q. Are your lag screws hand-forged or machine-made?
A. Our decorative and hammered options are hand-finished by American blacksmiths for an authentic historic appearance. Standard styles are machined with superior quality control and finished in-house.
Q. What are the lead times and where are these screws made?
A. Most hardware ships in 1–10 business days depending on finish and quantity. All decorative and custom-finished screws are made and finished here in the USA at our Idaho forge.
