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Screws for attaching Lionel 022 switch controllers?

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  • Member since
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  • From: Ann Arbor, Michigan
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Screws for attaching Lionel 022 switch controllers?
Posted by kpolak on Saturday, December 2, 2006 1:18 PM

OK...I am finalizing the wiring on the Christmas layout, and I am trying to find screws to attach the switch controls.  #6 is too big to fit thru the holes, and I can't find any #4x1-1/4 screws.

 How do you attach these things?

 Thank you,

Kurt

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    September 2003
  • From: West coast, USA
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Posted by rlplionel on Saturday, December 2, 2006 1:27 PM
I took a switch controller down to my local Ace Hardware store and found some screws that fit into the narrow opening and were long enough to be screwed into the layout. I don't know what size they are, but you should be able to find them through trial and error.
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Posted by rha90272 on Saturday, December 2, 2006 3:31 PM
#4 screws are definitely needed. In So. Calif, I've found that O.S.H. (Orchard Supply Hardware) has an excellent collection of screws, nuts, washers, etc. for all these strange holes and sizes in Lionel equipment. I don't know if O.S.H. is available in your area, but "big box" hardware stores might have #4 screws. Bob A.
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Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, December 2, 2006 4:20 PM
 kpolak wrote:

OK...I am finalizing the wiring on the Christmas layout, and I am trying to find screws to attach the switch controls.  #6 is too big to fit thru the holes, and I can't find any #4x1-1/4 screws.

 How do you attach these things?

 Thank you,

Kurt

Hi Just got some screws # 4 in and they  come in one inch and also in 1 and 1/4 inchs long. They are made by Hillman these are round head.....The item # is 20039 for the inch and a Quarter. Hope that helps you......Felix    This was bought from a local hardware store. He ordered them for me
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Posted by lionelsoni on Saturday, December 2, 2006 5:03 PM

The mounting holes are countersunk for flathead screws; so your best bet might be to look for #4 flathead wood screws, which will reach a little farther for the same nominal length and are easier to find in longer lengths than sheet-metal screws.

Bob Nelson

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Posted by kpolak on Sunday, December 3, 2006 10:44 AM

Great!

Thanks for the help...neither local big box(s), nor the little guys have #4x1-1/4-inch.

I'll keep looking.

 

Kurt

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    February 2002
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Posted by thankey on Sunday, December 3, 2006 11:11 AM

Here is the place for almost any type screw.  This link is to the #4 sheet metal screws that are great when used in place of wood screws.  I use them to hold down O-27 Lionel track.

http://www.boltdepot.com/product.aspx?cc=11&cs=45&cm=7&cd=586

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Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, December 3, 2006 11:13 AM

kpolak,

Try searching Google for "fasteners" without the quotation marks.

You mentioned that it was a "Christmas" layout. Does that mean "temporary?" If so, you might get along quite well with double sticky-sided foam tape, or the sticky-but-easily-removable tacky clay-like products, both available at any good hardware store. Or make "horseshoe" straps out of thin brass stock.

Is there enough material in the controllers to permit a slight enlargement of the holes?

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Posted by lionelsoni on Monday, December 4, 2006 9:54 AM
If you haven't found the screws yet, you might try this:  Drill a hole in the table and put a small tie-wrap from the bottom through the holes in the table and the controller.  Then put the female head of another tie-wrap onto the first one and trim off the excess tail.

Bob Nelson

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Posted by jpelosi2002 on Monday, December 4, 2006 3:49 PM
I found #4 x 1 1/4" at the Sear's Hardware by my home. If you have one by you I'm sure they would have them. The "big box" stores (home depot, lowes) only carry the most standard sizes, what a shame.
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Posted by kpolak on Tuesday, December 12, 2006 11:52 AM

Good news!

I found #4 x 1-1/4-inch wood screws at Fastenal (Fastenal.com). They're on line, and can ship to local locations...for free.

(50) of these are $1.46.

Kurt

Thanks again for all the help.

 

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