As usual when I post I would be pleased to receive some advice.
I need about 30 square headed toolpost screws, 5/16=94 square with =BC=94 BSF thread and about 10 with a 5/16=94 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=92ve decided to make them, but I=92m 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=94 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.
=91Key Steel is an unalloyed medium carbon steel. It is supplied bright drawn in square and flat bar, to tolerances as stipulated in BS46=92
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