screws

[Long John]

I fear this is a dumb question but I am going to ask it anyway.  For those of you who are building locks from castings obrtained from TRS, where do you get your screws?  Do you make your own with a lathe?

Thanks for your replies.

Best Regards,

JMC

[Eric Laird]

One option is you can order a set of appropriate screws from TRS when you order the castings.
Eric

[smart dog]

Hi John,
I usually make my own from blanks or steel rods.  I do that to be sure the screws are the appropriate shape for the lock.  Screw sets sold by TRS are pretty generic and often not really quite right.  That is particularly true for their 17th locks and for the cock jaw screws.  I file mine on a wood lathe fitted with a four-jaw chuck or a drill chuck (depending on the size of the screw) and cut threads with dies. 

dave

[Artificer]

Though this kit is by no means an all encompassing thing, it has saved me many times when having to make a replacement screw on the quick.  It is more useful for lock screws than other screws, but do check the head diameters to ensure they will suit your needs. 

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=376/Product/BLANK_SCREW_KIT

When you can use one of these, they are very nice as you can stop the thread at a point the screw will tighten and not bind up lock parts.

Gus

[Dr. Tim-Boone]

OK Gus now that call for some humiliating self-disclosure on my part?    How are screws/bolts numbered??  I understand length and diameter/thread count...( I think??)  but I can't figure out how to rder screws by size numbers such as your kit from Brownell's offeres.....How do I know which size will be right for a lock bolt for example?

[Acer Saccharum]

You really need a lathe to do a good job making screws. Yes, you can do it with files and a drill press, but it's very difficult and time consuming.

I would start collecting screw sets from different manufactures, like Davis and Chambers, etc. A screw can be modified more easily on a drill press  than made from scratch.

[Artificer]

How do I know which size will be right for a lock bolt for example?

If you want to make a replacement screw, a whole lot depends on whether it is an original piece or a reproduction piece AND if you are trying to fit it with an original or made- to-original-spec screw OR you are willing to re-tap the hole for a modern screw size.  

To keep things simple, here's a good chart for modern screw sizes:

http://www.customthermoelectric.com/Thread_drill_taps.html

Something to keep in mind is the shank of the screw blank may be a few thousandths of an inch less than the size listed and it would still be considered this size.  

Here's a good link for the older British Whitworth system screw threads:

http://www.enginehistory.org/british_fasteners.htm

Oh, and don't forget that French and some other early guns were made on the metric pattern so you have to use those sizes, but you don't run into that with American Kits much, if at all.

Gus

[David Rase]

I order replacement lock screws from Track of the Wolf.  As Acer said, Chambers, R.E. Davis, L&R, who ever has the size I need.  I can then cut ro length, thread a little more or turn the head down.
DMR

[Dr. Tim-Boone]

I have purchased a small assortment of lock bolts in 8 and 10/32 and just cut them to fit.  What hasbeen more troublesome has been trying to determine the size of wood screws for patchboxes etc........ Thanks for the links Gus

[T*O*F]

Tim,
Go to www.use-enco.com
Look for #327-9588  Machinery's Handbook--Pocket Companion

It will tell you everything you need to know about screws, threads, drill bits, and everything else you might ever need to know for gunbuilding.  I use mine all the time.

[Artificer]

I have purchased a small assortment of lock bolts in 8 and 10/32 and just cut them to fit.  What hasbeen more troublesome has been trying to determine the size of wood screws for patchboxes etc........ Thanks for the links Gus

OK, here's a table for wood screws as well.

http://www.wlfuller.com/html/wood_screw_chart.html

Glad to be able to give something back for all I've learned here.

I got a very old and very used Machinery Handbook - Pocket Companion in the early 70's from a good friend.  I still use that along with the full size book from time to time.

Gus

[Dr. Tim-Boone]

Now, thats what I am talking about!!!