"J. Clarke" wrote in message
...

Are you saying that the properties of wood have changed so radically in
the
last 30 years that lag screws hold differently in them now?

Well yes actually. Wood with wider growth rings as oppose to narrower more
compact gowth rings, which were more available many years back, may yield
different results today.

Because the
recommendations are not about allowing you to use crap screws without
breaking them while driving, they are about sticking wood together so it
stays stuck.