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Where to find non-standard screws?

EOC_Jason

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Jun 25, 2012
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Location
Bentonville, AR
I'm wanting to replace the screws on my Desmond Stephans vise that I'm restoring. It's a 3/8-16 thread, 1" in length. The problem is, even though it's a regular flat head machine screw, it seems all of today's are 82° bevel under the head. To the best of my measurements, these old screws are only 60° bevel.

I've looked over McMaster Carr and a few other places and have came up empty.

Any suggestions? I really don't want to have to make my own screws....
 
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Milton Shaw

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Feb 11, 2011
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Two additional places to look Fastenal and MSCDirect.com stock a lot of odd stuff you look there.
 

JASTECH

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Oct 21, 2009
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Gering, NE
Is the bevel that you need C/E Center to Edge or in such a way that you could adjust the angle with a fine stone?
 
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EOC_Jason

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Bentonville, AR
Yeah, I finally gave up and here is what I did (still in process).

Since the top of the NEW flathead is wider than the OLD one, I turned them down to get the same diameter on the top edge.

Logic would dictate that I (roughly) want the angle to be from the base of the bevel where the thread is to the new outer edge, thus removing the shoulder that was created from the first step to make it one angle.

I used a nut with a pair of vise-grips and let it spin about 2-3 times while I carefully grind away. The first one worked like a charm. Though I think I'm going to try your method using a drill or something else to hole it just so it doesn't accidentally spin out of the nut and fly across the room.

I'll take some pictures in just a few...
 
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EOC_Jason

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Jun 25, 2012
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Bentonville, AR
Pics as promised... The vise is really coming along nicely...

You can see the original screw on the far right. After turning it to match the OD in the middle. Then grinding to get the angle on the left.

The reason I wanted to put all new screws is one was brass in the dynamic jaw, and I'm probably going to have to drill out both in the static... So might as well make them match.
 

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