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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
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    Mid North Coast NSW
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    422

    Default Sourcing set screws

    Hi guys, (and gals)
    Does anyone know where to buy square head set screws M6 x 16.
    Only need three. They are for my little lathe tool post.

  2. #2
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    Aug 2008
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    Melbourne
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    34
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    Default

    This place always turns up when I'm searching for odd items https://www.smallparts.com.au/store/...ad+categories/

    EDTI: looks like they only have imperial..
    This mob has M6x20 which you could cut down https://nhtb.com.au/view;jsessionid=...search_refer=Y

  3. #3
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    Nov 2012
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    Mid North Coast NSW
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by elanjacobs View Post
    This place always turns up when I'm searching for odd items https://www.smallparts.com.au/store/...ad+categories/

    EDTI: looks like they only have imperial..
    This mob has M6x20 which you could cut down https://nhtb.com.au/view;jsessionid=...search_refer=Y

    Ah great thanks for that. Yeah 4mm difference won't matter.
    Newcastle too, only just down the road. Hope their post isn't too dear ... No matter I want them anyway.
    Actually that's the place I heard about ages ago and I never found their website so that's a good pick up. We have a local nut and bolt place that changes hands a couple of years ago and the prices skyrocketed. I've been told by a couple of local engineering places that they don't buy from them anymore for that reason. One of the guys told me to go to this place you've mentioned but I forgot what it was called. I appreciate you jogging my memory.

  4. #4
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    Sep 2012
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    York, North Yorkshire UK
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by phaser View Post
    Hi guys, (and gals)
    Does anyone know where to buy square head set screws M6 x 16.
    Only need three. They are for my little lathe tool post.
    Hi Phaser,

    For just three off I would be making them ! A bit of 8 mm square bar, parted to length, turned down and threaded. Though I admit that I would also be tempted by using hex cap screws.
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  5. #5
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    Nov 2012
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    Mid North Coast NSW
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BaronJ View Post
    Hi Phaser,

    For just three off I would be making them ! A bit of 8 mm square bar, parted to length, turned down and threaded. Though I admit that I would also be tempted by using hex cap screws.
    Yeah I'm starting to think that way now. To purchase four little screws from NHTB will cost me more than $23 for post only 100 mile away, that's ridiculous.
    I might try ringing them Monday and see if they'll just throw them in an envelope for say $6.
    The heads on these screws are 7mm. Can ya get 7mm square bar ?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Norwood-ish, Adelaide
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    59
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    6,541

    Default

    You can get 8mm square bar (key steel). Would not take much work with a file to turn them into 7mm if that is what you wanted.
    With regards to socket head screws, I would not as they seem to catch swarf, then you can not insert the wrench.

    Michael

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    Geelong, Australia
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    57
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    2,651

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Michael G View Post
    You can get 8mm square bar (key steel). Would not take much work with a file to turn them into 7mm if that is what you wanted.
    With regards to socket head screws, I would not as they seem to catch swarf, then you can not insert the wrench.

    Michael
    Agree with the sockets filling up with swarf - but they'd work well with a dab of weld in the socket then flats cut on the head.

    Steve

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    York, North Yorkshire UK
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    6,443

    Default

    Hi Guys,

    I only suggested 8 mm square bar because its very cheap and a standard size. In the UK a meter length only costs a couple of pounds. I've also discovered that there is a place quite near me that supplies 3 to 12 mm square, in one 1 mm increments and also in one or three meter lengths, along with various other sections and some tubes in different materials and grades.

    Strange how some of these suppliers turn up almost on your doorstep.

    Re Cap Screws: Yes I agree they do get swarf caught in them, though I don't find it too troublesome.
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    sydney ( st marys )
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    64
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    4,887

    Default

    Are your current or past tool post screws hard.
    From my experience square head setscrews are case hardened.
    If you go down the make your own path don't use mild steel as is , you will find that the end of the screw doing the clamping will start to mushroom.

  10. #10
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    Aug 2008
    Location
    Melbourne
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    Default

    All the screws have mushroomed on the QCTPs at work after who knows how many years, doesn't seem to affect their clamping ability though

    I could probably get some 4140 out of the scrap bin at work if you want, it'd be round though so you'll have to mill your own flats.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Mid North Coast NSW
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    422

    Default

    The screws that were in the machine were badly mushroomed. The guy that had the lathe before me was way too heavy handed. When I got it, I was surprised to see there were chips in the tray like 30 and 40 mil thick. Obviously it handled it but that's a bit much for a little lathe.
    At the garage sale I got him to start it up. There was severe vibration coming from the motor and its pulley was wobbling around all over the place. Turns out the end of the motor shaft inside the pulley was flogged out a few thou and the motor keyway slot shoulder broken away. The motor bearings also shot. The commutator has gone to an engineering shop to braze over the end of the shaft, re-machine and re-cut the keyway. (I don't have oxy equip)
    The motor pulley is not like you'd think, it's a rather unique setup. I'll take a photo when I get it back so you can see what I mean.

    Hex key screws are terrible for catching swarf. The sockets that hold the combination slide to the saddle on my AL350 fill up and I always have to blow/dig them out to readjust the angle.
    I'd prefer 7mm so the key that comes with the machine fits. I thought about using standard hex head bolts and cutting them square but that would be better done with a mill. (something I don't have yet).

    Going by the catalog, those screws from NHTB have a 6mm head. Can't win there either.

    But then, I found this on ebay :
    https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Keysteel...K2gobVzOHStiOQ

  12. #12
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    Nov 2012
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    Mid North Coast NSW
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by pipeclay View Post
    Are your current or past tool post screws hard.
    From my experience square head setscrews are case hardened.
    If you go down the make your own path don't use mild steel as is , you will find that the end of the screw doing the clamping will start to mushroom.
    Prob just a little hard as the mushrooming also showed cracks.
    I'f I make em I will be doing the heat up and drop in oil trick. That makes it a little harder, makes it black and gives good rust prevention.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Emerald Central Qld
    Posts
    349

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by pipeclay View Post
    Are your current or past tool post screws hard.
    From my experience square head setscrews are case hardened.
    If you go down the make your own path don't use mild steel as is , you will find that the end of the screw doing the clamping will start to mushroom.
    Drill a short hole in the end that contacts the tooling and fit a piece of brass about 6mm in diameter that will allow you to change the tips when they mushroom .
    I have never mushroomed any of my setscrews , but then I dont overtighten stuff .

    Michael

  14. #14
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    Sep 2012
    Location
    York, North Yorkshire UK
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    Default

    Hi Guys,

    FWIW key steel is high carbon stuff, similar to O1 silver steel. Easily hardenable in the same way.
    The Idea of fitting a brass tip in the screw is a good one ! I've done this a number of times.

    20-09-2018-3.JPG
    6 mm hex cap screw with a brass tip fitted.
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  15. #15
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    Nov 2012
    Location
    Mid North Coast NSW
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    422

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BaronJ View Post
    Hi Guys,

    FWIW key steel is high carbon stuff, similar to O1 silver steel. Easily hardenable in the same way.
    The Idea of fitting a brass tip in the screw is a good one ! I've done this a number of times.

    20-09-2018-3.JPG
    6 mm hex cap screw with a brass tip fitted.
    What's the hardening method for key steel ?

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