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Atlas Screws

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  • Member since
    February 2007
  • 649 posts
Atlas Screws
Posted by AltoonaRailroader on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 10:31 AM

Hi all,

I recently purchased a dozen or so atlas control buttons for remote snap switches but they didn't come with any screws. What is the size of these screws and where can I order a small bag of them??

 

Thanks in advance

  • Member since
    July 2007
  • From: nw Pa.
  • 106 posts
Posted by Doug T on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 12:21 PM

There should have been 2 types of screws included with the switch control buttons. Atlas usually supplies brass wood screws for mounting the control button to a panel. They also supply a brass screw for connecting your wires to the control button and connecting the buttons together in a strip.

The wood screw possibly could be gotten from a local hardware store, a number 6, 1/2 inch long screw might work.

The other screw will be a bit harder to find. Some ideas you might try. Take a control button to a hobby shop and see if they carry the screws. Or check their model airplane dept. they might have miscellaneous screws and something there might work. Check around at local swap meets.

If nothing turns up, Call Atlas and let them know what you need. You will need 5 screws for each control button, plus wood screws if you can't find any at a hardware store.

  • Member since
    November 2007
  • 1,089 posts
Posted by BlueHillsCPR on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 12:48 PM
I would take a guess and say that a number 6 wood screw will be just a bit to big for the mounting holes.  Maybe a #4 wood screw there.  The other screws are a machine screw but I am not sure exactly what size and thread profile they used.  Maybe something from a computer would be close?  I have some screws here that came with the snap switches I just bought.  I'll see what I can figure out from those.
  • Member since
    November 2007
  • 1,089 posts
Posted by BlueHillsCPR on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 1:01 PM

Ok, as expected the #6 wood screw will not even begin to fit the mounting holes on the switch controls.  The machine screws are a #3-48 screw and are available from Atlas, here.

I did find some computer screws that would start in the threaded holes but they were obviously not the correct thread and they were too long so they would bottom out before the wire was snug. 

 edit: These screws are also available from a number of other sources.  Google 3-48 screw to get results.  Here is one of the top ones I found.

3-48 screw 

 

  • Member since
    April 2004
  • From: SC
  • 318 posts
Posted by lonewoof on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 2:31 PM

Ye cats! It sure looks like Atlas is going to charge $1.50 EACH for those screws. I'd think 25 or 50 for $1.50 would be more like it.

BTW, those computer screws are most likely METRIC thread, which is totally unlike American standard diameters and threads per inch...

 

 

Remember: In South Carolina, North is southeast of Due West... HIOAg /Bill

  • Member since
    November 2007
  • 1,089 posts
Posted by BlueHillsCPR on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 3:07 PM
 lonewoof wrote:

Ye cats! It sure looks like Atlas is going to charge $1.50 EACH for those screws. I'd think 25 or 50 for $1.50 would be more like it.

BTW, those computer screws are most likely METRIC thread, which is totally unlike American standard diameters and threads per inch...

 

 

 

Yes. The second link I posted offers 25 for $1.35 

  • Member since
    February 2007
  • 649 posts
Posted by AltoonaRailroader on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 10:32 AM

 BlueHillsCPR wrote:
I would take a guess and say that a number 6 wood screw will be just a bit to big for the mounting holes.  Maybe a #4 wood screw there.  The other screws are a machine screw but I am not sure exactly what size and thread profile they used.  Maybe something from a computer would be close?  I have some screws here that came with the snap switches I just bought.  I'll see what I can figure out from those.

Yeah, I tried computer screws. I used to do computer work and building them and stuff like that and I have a whole tupperware bowl full of screws and I thought for sure I'd have at least a few in there that would fit but all I had in the right size were fine threaded ones and they didn't work. I'm still searching.

 

 

  • Member since
    February 2007
  • 649 posts
Posted by AltoonaRailroader on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 10:35 AM
 BlueHillsCPR wrote:

Ok, as expected the #6 wood screw will not even begin to fit the mounting holes on the switch controls.  The machine screws are a #3-48 screw and are available from Atlas, here.

I did find some computer screws that would start in the threaded holes but they were obviously not the correct thread and they were too long so they would bottom out before the wire was snug. 

 edit: These screws are also available from a number of other sources.  Google 3-48 screw to get results.  Here is one of the top ones I found.

3-48 screw 

 

Thanks blue hills, I found them on Atlas's site but I'm hoping they come in some kind of package of several. From this link it looks like they're a $1.50 a piece and that ain't gonna fly in my book. ;) I'll check the google thing too.

  • Member since
    November 2007
  • 1,089 posts
Posted by BlueHillsCPR on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 11:49 AM

Hey Altoona, glad to help.

 

I threw a link in my post where I linked to the Atlas site.  The link is just "3-48".  It will take you to a site that has the screws 25 for $1.35 or more for even less per screw. 

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