[GreenKeys] GreenKeys Digest, Vol 76, Issue 18

[John Nagle]

> Date: Sun, 16 May 2010 12:08:24 -0500
> From: Chris Elmquist <chrise at pobox.com>
> Subject: Re: [GreenKeys] ASR-33 mounting screws
> To: Paul Heller <paul0926 at comcast.net>
> Cc: GreenKeys at mailman.qth.net
> I too searched for a few small mounting screws when I was working on the
> punch in one of my '33...   and learned that they used almost exclusively
> #6-40 thread on these little screws.   It seems the only thing you can
> buy now is #6-32, a much more coarse thread and any hardware store with
> the little parts drawers has never heard of a #6-40.
...
> I'd sure like to hear of a commercial source for machine screws with this
> fine thread if such a source still exists.  A bazillion of them in the
> '33 seem to be 1/2" slotted hex cap head with the #6-40 thread.

I haven't found an exact match, but
Small Parts, Inc.
Stainless Steel Machine Screw, Pan Head, Phillips Drive, MIL-SPEC, #6-40
5/8"

should work.  They have several lengths, but not 1/2".

http://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Machine-Phillips-MIL-SPEC-Length/dp/B000MS45IS

$11.44/pkg of 100.

You may have to cut the length down by 1/8 (not fun with stainless steel).

Teletype liked to use screws with high thread counts when going into threaded
holes in thin parts.  I had to thread my own bolts to mount a Model 15 Teletype
properly.  (Those are 3/8-32, and a die for that is $8.)

Someone mentioned that re-threading screws won't work.  Sure it will.
Just get ones long enough that only the last 1" is threaded. Cut off
the threaded part and you have a blank for a shorter screw.

If you need screws made in moderate quantities, Accurate Screw Machine does it
routinely.  Setup costs are high, though.

					John Nagle