Need 4-48 screw

One may be able to get a 4-48 setscrew at local hardware stores.

I also have a box of 4-48 setscrews, and can send you a few. This will take longer. Want them?

Joe Gwinn

If this is a dial indicator - this type..

If you can't find a screw locally, you can probably find a tap in that size.

John Martin

John Martin fired this volley in news: snipped-for-privacy@x40g2000prg.googlegroups.com:

Are you suggesting he use a tap in place of a screw? (wouldn't a die better serve his purpose?)

LLoyd

You can get a box of them from McMaster-Carr for < 10 bucks + shipping.

Wes

========= I bought a box of 100 set screws in this size.

Look for an envelope with some. I got these to make up extension rods for my drop test indicator without having to cut the 4-48 male thread.

Drill a hole in the end of the rod just under major diameter, tap (10-20% depth of thread is adequate) and install setscrew to proper depth with drop of loctite or superglue. Be sure to clean the external threads with lacquer thinner before the glue sets.

Tip for drilling ultra small [for me] holes in your lathe. Get a set of pin vises for an example click on

Also get drill blanks that just fit in the hollow in the handle. Chuck up the drill blank in the tailstock and use this as a guide for the pin vise. Gives very good control / feel and you can also use this for a tap guide.

They also make sensitive drill chucks, but these are expensive and you can use the pin vises for other things. example click on

Good luck and let the group know how the project turns out.

Unka' George [George McDuffee] ============ Merchants have no country. The mere spot they stand on does not constitute so strong an attachment as that from which they draw their gains.

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), U.S. president. Letter, 17 March 1814.

innews: snipped-for-privacy@x40g2000prg.googlegroups.com:

Yes, a tap instead of a screw. Seems as though all he wants to do is run it into the hole to confirm the thread size. Not great for the tap if the piece is hardened, but a few tries wouldn't hurt it.

It's my guess that more of us have that tap lying around - as part of a set - than a box of 4-48 screws.

John

Standard indicator points are 4-48 thread, check the catalogs. 48 tpi is a little fine for it, but I've used a sliver of fine-grained wood in the past to check internal thread pitch. Whittle it down, screw it into the hole, back it out and check the pitch with a thread pitch gauge.

Stan

I tried that at first, but as you say 4-48 was too fine to get a good reading