MTH Nuts and Bolts

[RRaddict]

I am hoping someone can point me in the right direction.  I have an MTH proto 2 locomotive the screw that holds the sound dial in will not hold because they stripped the screw hole at the factory.  If I want to keep it secured I need to put the screw up from the bottom of the locomotive under the truck. Is there anywhere to buy nuts and bolts that small?  Why they didn't do it this was is beyond me but it will work if I can get a screw with a nut that small.

Thanks,

Kevin

[thankey]

If you need only one or two, an old-school ACE hardware may have them.  There is one near my office that is like stepping back into 1957.  They have them as small as 00. 

If you can handle a larger quantity,  try http://www.microfasteners.com/index.cfm.    I've gotten 2-56 and 1-72 but they list 0-80 also.  Sometimes you can get a hundred from them for little more than the cost of  ½ dozen locally.  And you'll always have some on hand.

[gunrunnerjohn]

I have a bunch of really tiny screws and nuts, including some 0-80 ones.  PM me your address and I'll put a couple in an envelope and send them to you.  Tell me how long they have to be...

[thankey]

Machine screws and nuts are referenced by the size of the shaft (hole) and the number of threads per inch, except metric of course.  For 2-56, the shaft is 0.086” with 56 threads per inch and the 1-72 has a 0.073 shaft with 72 threads per inch.

Size Number	000	00	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	8	10	12
Diameter	0.034	0.047	0.06	0.073	0.086	0.099	0.112	0.125	0.138	0.164	0.19	0.216
Hole Diameter	0.04	0.053	0.066	0.08	0.094	0.107	0.12	0.133	0.146	0.173	0.198	0.224

[lionelsoni]

You will never need a table if you can memorize that a number-5 screw (not a very common size) has a major diameter of 1/8 inch and that the diameters go up and down in steps of .013 inch from there.

[servoguy]

I start with a number 0 screw at 0.060" and add the screw number times 0.013 to 0.060 to get the diameter.  Either way will work.

[ChiefEagles]

If you want an easy fix, go to your local auto parts store.  Buy a box of windshield sealing rope.  A box is a lot but you will find a lot of uses for it in the future.  Pinch off a tiny piece and wrap it around the screw threads.  Screw in your screw.  It will hold.  Use the rest to "sitck" weights inside troublesome cars that like to jump the track.  For getting those tiny screws down in a small hole when working on engines, a tiny piece on the end of your phillips will hold it until you get it started.  Will "stick" scenery in spots.  You name it.  As long as both surfaces are clean, it will stick them together, but with pressure, seperate them.  BTW: it will stick to your fingers.    

[Boyd]

Radio Shack carries some very small screws/bolts but not in large quantities.