As usual when I post I would be pleased to receive some advice.
I need about 30 square headed toolpost screws, 5/16” square with ¼”
BSF thread and about 10 with a 5/16” whitworth thread. After talking
to several fastener suppliers and searching the internet the only
supplier I have found only supplies toolpost screws in large
quantities.
So I’ve decided to make them, but I’m not sure what to make them from. They need to be reasonably tough to stop the ends belling. I am wondering whether to use annealed and tempered silver steel, but the cost of 5/16” square is horrendous, or use key steel which is cheaper and which looks, from the description the supplier has given below, as though it can be hardened.
‘Key Steel is an unalloyed medium carbon steel. It is supplied bright drawn in square and flat bar, to tolerances as stipulated in BS46’
I would be grateful for any ideas of what steel to use, or the name of a supplier who actually has the toolpost screws.
John H
I need about 30 square headed toolpost screws, 5/16” square with ¼”
So I’ve decided to make them, but I’m not sure what to make them from. They need to be reasonably tough to stop the ends belling. I am wondering whether to use annealed and tempered silver steel, but the cost of 5/16” square is horrendous, or use key steel which is cheaper and which looks, from the description the supplier has given below, as though it can be hardened.
‘Key Steel is an unalloyed medium carbon steel. It is supplied bright drawn in square and flat bar, to tolerances as stipulated in BS46’
I would be grateful for any ideas of what steel to use, or the name of a supplier who actually has the toolpost screws.
John H