I have a PSC steam locomotive that needs a few screws, who sells a good varity of screws.
thanks Richard
SVTRICH,
GandyDancer is spot on with his suggestion.
Just wanted to throw in this tip for everyone. At ANYTIME you come across a computer or electronic device that’s going to be scrapped or junked…GET TO WORK AND DISSECT THAT THING!
At my job, computers are replaced every few years and in some cases the damaged computers are literally tossed (so much for recycling)! Whenever I find out about this (after getting permission) I get inside the device and remove every small and micro sized screw I come across! I get, both, machined threaded and sheet metal threaded screws. Depending on the computer component being held down or held together, some of these screws are so small that they you need tweezers to pick them up. Just the right size for a number of model railroad applications.
I’ve found these to be quite handy when working on locomotives and rolling stock. I no longer get as flustered if I’m disassembling a locomotive or Walthers passenger car and somehow manage to drop a screw that becomes “invisible” after hitting the floor. I just reach into the fastener draw and find a computer screw that fits like a glove.
GREAT TIP! Thanks! I have a microwave that blew up out on my bench in the shop and I was going to toss it in the dumpster. Now I’ll take a second look and grab what screws I can, particularily around the PC board and all!
Duane
Been raiding PS’s for years, not only for screws, but for the little bitty motors in the CD rom drives! One word of caution, they are usually 5 volt motors, so limit current accordingly![:O]
Look in your local yellow pages under Recycling and see if there are any places near you that specialize in electronics recycling. Everything in a microwave should be reusable.
Steve S
The local hardware store has a board with various sizes of threaded nuts embedded in it so you can check the size of a given screw. However it does not get down to micro sizes. Nor am I sure they have one for metric sized screws of any size.
Does anyone know of a practical and affordable – I am not even sure what to call it, a screw checker? – for micro screws in metric and non-metric sizes?
Dave Nelson
If you are looking for crank pin screws they were usually special to the loco. Smooth shank for the side rods with a threaded end.
Dave:
Try MicroMark. They have a couple listed.
http://www.micromark.com/SearchResult.aspx?deptIdFilter=0&searchPhrase=thread+gauge
Joe
My Local Hobby Stores have a complete selection. The ACE hardware store has a few too.
Richard