Mach
09-06-2007, 11:42 PM
Between the two vintage radio projects, I pull out alot of 50 year old screws that I want to replace due to corrosion and damage. At times, it's difficult to find the right screws at the local DIY and ordering on-line has been a mixed bag of success.
The main problem is knowing the exact thread and sizes. I've used a thread pitch gauge (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thread_pitch_gauge) when working on the mustang but most of those screws and bolts are standard and larger than what I'm dealing with.
I found these "new to me" tools that have been a pleasure to use from www.littlemachineshop.com.
Metric Screw Checker (http://www.littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=3030&category=1310310429)
Its a screw checker that come pre-tapped with most standard sizes (metric or american). You start at the top and move down until you find a hole that the screw fits, then you move to the right and test for coarse or fine threads. It also tells you what size hole you need to drill to tap threads for the screw. Slick!
http://lh5.google.com/MachModAlbum/RuDF5K8IpjI/AAAAAAAAA2g/5o5KaFjPZWI/s800/480.3030.jpg
The main problem is knowing the exact thread and sizes. I've used a thread pitch gauge (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thread_pitch_gauge) when working on the mustang but most of those screws and bolts are standard and larger than what I'm dealing with.
I found these "new to me" tools that have been a pleasure to use from www.littlemachineshop.com.
Metric Screw Checker (http://www.littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=3030&category=1310310429)
Its a screw checker that come pre-tapped with most standard sizes (metric or american). You start at the top and move down until you find a hole that the screw fits, then you move to the right and test for coarse or fine threads. It also tells you what size hole you need to drill to tap threads for the screw. Slick!
http://lh5.google.com/MachModAlbum/RuDF5K8IpjI/AAAAAAAAA2g/5o5KaFjPZWI/s800/480.3030.jpg