I lost a screw from a locomotive that I need to replace. I suspect I will lose more as time goes on so I would like to have supply of replacements on hand.
Thanks, Hank
Bachmann sells HO hardware; also try Atlas, Kay-dee, just look around. Try that new thing, Google; I think it’s called.
Hi Hank,
I too, use a lot of screws, nuts & bolts for projects, & I usually pick them up at hobby shops, but Walthers has a pretty good selection & if they are out, they will backorder them in, & you will eventually get them. I commonly use;
Kaydee -Brass & Plastic
HobBits -Brass
Northwest Shortline Metric Bundled Set -Metal (I found this was essential with many brass & foreign models)
As a hobby Machinist, I also have SAE & Metric Thread guages (looks like a Swiss Army Knife with all saw blade looking fingers) & I also have Threaded Test Fit Plates in SAE & Metric, -I got those at MicroMark, who also has a good selection.
It is best to ‘know’ what size you need, I do not trust my ‘eye’ when they are really small, unless I am looking at them all at the same time, meaning if I think I need a size, & then go to a shop a few days later, that size may not look the same in the other setting & time. So I measure it & write it down to ensure I get the right ones into my stock…
Hope that helps!
Micro-Fasteners is a good source for bulk purchases of miniature screws, bolts, washers, and nuts, though not specifically for any particular model railroad locomotives or rolling stock.
You can try this company:
http://www.microfasteners.com/catalog/company_profile.cfm
However, look locally as well. Good sources are computer supply/electronics businesses.
Hank
I’ll bet that screw hit the floor and then disappeared into thin air. Been there, done that more than a few times. Finally I copied a setup that I saw some time ago where you attach magnets to the bottom of a work apron and to the fascia of your workbench. When you sit down, you stick the magnets on the apron to the magnets on the bench, thereby creating a ‘catch basin’ for any parts that are eager to escape.
Another idea was to attach a skirt to the front of the workbench and when you sit down, pull the skirt onto your lap.
My apron only works with stuff that falls off the workbench. Anything that sprouts wings (Kadee springs come to mind) still ends up in never never land most of the time.
The other thing I have at the ready is a very bright flashlight, so if something does hit the floor I have a better chance of finding it.
As far as your original question, I also recommend Walthers, and I have also used a vendor who attends all the local train shows who specializes in screws etc. Next time you are at a show keep an eye out.
Dave
Kadee springs are too small to see. I finally had to go to 1:1 on springs.
At least you can see this one, and if falls in your lap, you will KNOW where it is!
One tip I learned from modeler Carl Marchand is to lay a terry cloth towel on top of the work table whenever you’re going to work with small parts.
This has been incredibly helpful as I can’t even count how many times I’ve dropped coupler springs, retaining clips, washers, spacers, grab irons, etc. Now instead of bouncing off the wooden surface onto the “rug of invisibility”, the parts land and stay in one spot. Nice headache preventer! [Y][:D]
microfasteners.com as mentioned above is a good place to start.
I don’t know how small you need, but Micro-mark is another place to try…
http://www.micromark.com/SearchResult.aspx?deptIdFilter=0&searchPhrase=screws
Also, I do three things when working on a project:
One} I work on it in a tray box. an old soda can tray box works fine {the kind that are large and have about a 1" side wall}. Don’t know if they are available any more, but any tray box will do. It helps to leep things together.
Second} I use a magnetic parts holder like here:
http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?keyword=magnetic+parts+holder
Third} I use masking tape, sticky side up to stick things{parts} to that might get lost as I extract them or insert them to reduce the chance that I loose them or they go flying.
Now, granted that doesn’t help if parts go FLYING or if they are non magnetic, or you loose them, or they wear out and simply need to be replaced. But working within a tray box has saved my b**t more that once! SO has the magnetic pan and the tape!
Just ideas I use.
[8-|]
I use a dollar store serving tray,never loose parts unless you accidently overturn it.
Cookie sheets & a lap blanket are are nice, except in July & August… There was also a scientific oriented company called ‘Small Parts’ & I remember getting some 000-120 bolts & used them as studs on a model car hub once… But they seemed pricey at the time… Also check on eBay…
one thing that will cause problems is when the loco has Metric fasteners.
Rich