Lock bolts and Tang screws

[Chowmi]

Where's the best place to get lock bolts and tang screws?  Or do you guys make them out of something else? 

I see that some suppliers have them, but they seem awfully expensive for a single screw. 

I'm looking for plain jane domed headed lock bolts, 10x32, Colonial PA time and place. 

Cheers,
Norm

[P.W.Berkuta]

I buy blank (unthreaded) screws from TOTW or if I want something special I make them. I buy them in lots of 10 or more (#8 & #10) so I have enough on hand .

[smylee grouch]

Don't buy just a single screw, the shipping will most likely be way more than the cost of a screw.

[flehto]

I buy all the tang screws and lock bolts from TOW.....#8-32 for the tang screw and rear lock bolt and #6-32 for the front lock bolt. The lock bolts have round heads and the tang screws have domed heads. ......Fred

[JCKelly]

On occasion I have bought carriage bolts for that large round head, which permits filing in an old style screw head slot. Cut off the square under the head, remove the zinc &c.

[Bob Roller]

I buy blank (unthreaded) screws from TOTW or if I want something special I make them. I buy them in lots of 10 or more (#8 & #10) so I have enough on hand .

I make all my screws,mostly for locks but once in a while for other purposes.
In 1964 I bought a new Model 618 Atlas lathe and 10 years later changed it
to a machine dedicated to screws as needed and to establish the thickness of a
lock tumbler and leaving the small shaft to go thru the bridle oversize.
As far as the cost of special screws is concerned,the fact they are available at ANY price
should be considered but it won't be.

Bob Roller

[Joe S.]

I made a couple screws/bolts for my build.Cutting in decent looking slots seems to be a problem for me,a little wide for my liking.I did it to just for the sake of making them.A couple extra bucks for proper screws or bolts shouldn't be a big deal IMHO.

[Bob Roller]

Joe,
Buy an medium cut needle file,knife shape with an acute angle and practice
with it. I use 12L14 for screws and it's much easier to work with than 1018
or other unknown materials. Notch the head of the screw with a sharp 3 cornered
file and use a miniature saw with the "set" filed or ground off to start the slot and then the
knife file.

Bob Roller

[smart dog]

Hi Norm,
I've made my own by forging, turning down larger bolts, etc.   I don't do that stuff anymore unless I have to.  I buy tang and lock bolts from TOW in both 8-32 and 10-32.  I buy the threaded and unthreaded with large domed heads.  The slots are nice and narrow so they can be widened as needed and the heads have plenty of extra metal for shaping.  The cost is trivial compared with the total cost of building a gun and I keep a supply on hand ready for new projects.

dave

[Joe S.]

Joe,
Buy an medium cut needle file,knife shape with an acute angle and practice
with it. I use 12L14 for screws and it's much easier to work with than 1018
or other unknown materials. Notch the head of the screw with a sharp 3 cornered
file and use a miniature saw with the "set" filed or ground off to start the slot and then the
knife file.

Bob Roller

Thanks Bob for the tip,nice tight regulated slots always make the finished product look right.

[n stephenson]

Norm, The main reason that these bolts are not cheap is because they are a specialty item and most are made one at a time on a screw machine like a  turret lathe . At least all the people I`ve ever seen make them made them that way. Like Bob said , we better be glad we can get them as inexpensive as they are .

[elkhorne]

Norm,
Have you heard of Blacksmith Bolt & Rivet Supply? I have purchased many of my lock and tang bolts as well as assorted screws form them. They are black oxide coated and it can be polished off to blue, brown or antique them for final finishing and they are very reasonable. Their url is www.blacksmithbolt.com or it was the last time I used them. Their prices were very good and I bought enough that I may never have to order again for the rifles I have planned to build. It also gave me a cushion if I mess up a few. Always seems to work better buying more than you need and not having to worry if you mess one up for some reason. Good luck and hope this helps.
elkhorne

[Chowmi]

Thanks all for the replies!

TOTW it is then, and I'll also look at blacksmith bolt and rivet supply. 

I do appreciate that it is a specialty item, and in the grand scheme of things is a minor expense.  I'll happily pay for them, now knowing that I'm not missing some cheap and easy trick!

Cheers,
Norm