Plomb ratchet screws

[Ratchet.]

Recently got this nice old plomb wf 21 off ebay and have been restoring it, hasnt needed much, stripped it and cleaned it up with some wd40 and a wire brush which brought it up very nicely, ratchet mech is in great condition.


Unfortunately one of the faceplate screws is missing, and it seems finding one for it is quite a task, despite them 'just' being #6-40 UNF by 1/2" screws with a Philips head.

I haven't found any UK companies that stock them online, as most only stock metric (and the ones that do have unf/unc didnt have those particualr ones), did try my local bolt supplier, but they dont keep them and seemed unwilling to order any for me. Even on ebay I've struggled, the ones i have found are ether too short, or have hex/pozidriv heads, which wont look right, (i did find one source, but they only sell them in 50s or more, and want a huge amount to ship them to the uk)

I know finding one exactly the same will be hard (unless someone has an original one going spare) but any plain steel panhead Philips screw would be close enough to look right, so does anyone know of a decent source for screws, i don't mind paying shipping from the USA (within reason,) or having to buy a dozen or so,

Otherwise will be down to looking at swapmeet/steamfairs, but there arent any for a few months, and even then its no guarantee if i will find some for sale there

thanks

 

[Tireman]

I'm interested in this also. Anyone have any info?

 

[RECox286]

IDK, but there may be one or two in my 20 yr box. It's getting

pretty full, and heavy to boot. When I get a chance to look,

I'll send you a PM if I (we) get lucky.

Uncle Bob

 

[zeet]

Here are a couple options I found. The first is a quick-fix ebay sale, The second, a rather large PDF from a military fastener company in Maryland;

http://www.ebay.com/itm/100-ea-6-40-x-1-2-Phillips-Pan-Head-Screws-Zinc-/230986246138

http://www.elitefastenersinc.com/pdf/elite-fasteners.pdf

Best of luck!

 

[Smokeshow69]

If you have a good hardware store near you they will have them. I had to get one for my 1/4 drive proto ratchet. I can't remember the size but the only difference was that it was a flat head not a Phillips but check your local ace hardware if you have one? Home depot redid their hardware section and they don't stock any of the rare stuff/odd stuff any more.

 

[bonneyman]

Bolt Depot. Don't know if they have the size you need, but very nice to deal with. Will sell pieces in any amount - no minimum purchase required. Even just one!

https://www.boltdepot.com/Machine_screws.aspx?nv=l

 

[Ratchet.]

thanks Guys, have had a look and some of those links are useful, at if not for me at least for others looking for the same parts

Main issue i have is that I'm in the Uk, and old school hardware stores are getting thin on the ground here, and even the ones i know of don't have stock of the more odd sizes as UNF/UNC thread fasteners haven't been widely used in the uk for some time now,

That and the fact that bigger hardware stores here seem nowhere near as good as those in America, being generally aimed at 'DIY' stuff, mainly household decorating, gardening, woodwork etc (and over overpriced to boot)


As a side note, assuming i have measure the thread correctly it seems that that thread pitch is used on firearms, which may help in tracking some down

 

[bonneyman]

...As a side note, assuming i have measure the thread correctly it seems that that thread pitch is used on firearms, which may help in tracking some down

For all things gun, try Brownells. They are great for tiny screws and springs!

http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-t...l-screws/long-6-48-8-40-screws-prod19929.aspx

 

[Ethan1972]

All I can find is S/S screws of that size/length. Might have to have some custom made, unless you can find a donor.

 

[KEH]

I had a similar problem, in USA. The Proto dealer sent me to a good , old fashioned hardware store which had screws just not as short. I haven't taken time to saw off the screw, yet. I don't know about mail order.

KEH