Whitney No.5 JR punch question

[Electron2002]

I have an older Whitney no.5 punch that is missing the thumb screw for the upper handle. Instead of replacing it, the PO scavenged the thumb screw from the depth stop as a replacement. Which of course sdestroyed the threads on the depth stop screw. So, now I need to replace them. I can order them from Whitney, but they are surprisingly expensive. Based on measurements they are a #12 machine screw, but the threads are too messed up for me to properly measure the pitch.

Can someone with a No. 5 and a thread pitch gauge double check what the thread pitch is on the screws?

Thanks

 

[MikeF2316]

32 tpi.

 

[22george]

What about drilling the holes up to the next size and threading it for that size??

 

[rlitman]

The thumb screw for my handle is only threaded at the end (like the screw in a clevis). Otherwise, the pivoting handle would ride on the threads. So a hardware store replacement is not that simple.

 

[IMSA GTO]

No damage to mine, but I wanted a faster way to switch dies. Swapped screw out for a quick release pin. It's been working great for years.

 

[bonneyman]

No damage to mine, but I wanted a faster way to switch dies. Swapped screw out for a quick release pin. It's been working great for years.

Awesome!

 

[rlitman]

Awesome!

Agreed! One day I'm going to get frustrated with that screw and steal this idea.
The #12 screw would be perfect to drill out to 1/4" for this. That's hardly any bigger.

 

[Electron2002]

I was afraid it was going to be something that unusual. For some reason, it’s not hard to find a 12-32 tap, but hell to find a fastener.

I love the quick release pin idea. May just go that route for the handle screw.

 

[Electron2002]

No damage to mine, but I wanted a faster way to switch dies. Swapped screw out for a quick release pin. It's been working great for years.

What size pin did you get?

A 7/32” would be ideal, but that doesn’t seem to be a typical size. Did you find a 7/32” somewhere?

 

[IMSA GTO]

It's actually 3/16 by 3/4 grip length, steel body. There is a little slop obviously, but it has never posed a problem. I have been using this punch for 20+ years with the same pin.

 

[bonneyman]

It's actually 3/16 by 3/4 grip length, steel body. There is a little slop obviously, but it has never posed a problem. I have been using this punch for 20+ years with the same pin.

Some ideas just make me slap myself asking, "Why didn't I think of that"? This is one of those ideas.

 

[IMSA GTO]

 

[454ragtop]

Have a spare Whitney punch without any dies I could sell cheap.

 

[MikeF2316]

Like the OP, the same thumb screw was nearly stripped on mine. So this thread got me thinking about making a new one. I decided that the "thumb" part of the original was too small, so I started with a 3/8" cap screw. I turned it down to 0.222 (#12 spec is 0.2160) except for the last 1/8" or so which I turned down to 0.196 (spec is (0.1957). The 0.222 is custom sized to account for the wear in the holes in my punch. Then I cut the threads.

I bought 2 cap screws because I figured I'd wreck one, which is why before and after are in the same pic. Here's what I started and ended up with:

And in the punch. This baby's made a few holes in its day.

I'm not sure if the head on the 3/8 cap screw is too large. I might have started with a 5/16 knowing what I know now. I wanted an unthreaded portion to line up everything as it's going together.

 

[bonneyman]

Have a spare Whitney punch without any dies I could sell cheap.

I think I might have some spare dies hidden somewhere. I already have two complete Whitney sets, so, perhaps ragtop and I could combine forces and make someones day?

 

[454ragtop]

I think I might have some spare dies hidden somewhere. I already have two complete Whitney sets, so, perhaps ragtop and I could combine forces and make someones day?

When I dug it out I discovered it was missing that same screw, someone replaced it with a screw and nut. Works fine, just doesn't have the OEM screw. I offered it to Electron2002 for $12. shipped, never heard back, guessing he's not interested because of the screw. Same deal if anyone else wants it.

 

[22george]

Some ideas just make me slap myself asking, "Why didn't I think of that"? This is one of those ideas.

X2