I'm reworking a bunch of old Ridgid hand ratcheting pipe threader die heads that I got a killer deal on. These have a cast iron plate on the top fastened with 3 or 4 screws which are unusual screws. They are as best I can tell, slotted oval countersunk head machine screws, 1/4-20x3/4", but the very circumference of the head rather than being a sharp line where the vee of the countersunk head meets the curve of the oval top, the head has a curved profile. Machinery's Handbook says "may be rounded". My problem is I can't find a local source where I can buy Ridgid parts, I can't order them from Ridgid, I can't find an online dealer, and I can't find an online or local source (Seattle area). They are black oxide but I don't really care about the finish.
The reason I'm not just going to reuse them is that the tops of these pipe dies have taken a beating, and the highest point is the tops of the screws, and as a result the screw slots were almost peened closed. I was able to get the slots opened enough so a hand impact tool could crack them loose and remove them (whew) but I don't want to reuse screws with slots this damaged.
Anyone know a source?
GWE