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2/56 screws, any local hardware stores?

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2/56 screws, any local hardware stores?
Posted by cudaken on Tuesday, November 25, 2014 4:36 PM

 Does any National Hardware chains carry 2/56 screw's? I did a search on Lowes site and they said they had them, it was wrong. What the site called 2/56 where #4 screws.

 Need them to replaces some missing screws to hold the trucks on a Waffle Side freight car. All so what sizes drill bit does a 2/56 screw need?

 Thanks for the coming answers.

      Cuda Ken

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Posted by richg1998 on Tuesday, November 25, 2014 4:43 PM

cudaken

 Does any National Hardware chains carry 2/56 screw's? I did a search on Lowes site and they said they had them, it was wrong. What the site called 2/56 where #4 screws.

 Need them to replaces some missing screws to hold the trucks on a Waffle Side freight car. All so what sizes drill bit does a 2/56 screw need?

 Thanks for the coming answers.

      Cuda Ken

 

Yes they do.

I am fortunate to have two LHS in my town. Local Hardware Store.

Google 2-56 tap drill. I don't remember what size drill. Might have been a #50.

Rich

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Posted by cowman on Tuesday, November 25, 2014 4:45 PM

My local indapendent hardware store carries them and I think the Ace store has a similar selection.  Don't know if they can get them in bulk, as they are a bit pricey if you have to buy very many.

To drill a hole to tap a #50 (0.070) bit should do.

For a clean hole, #42 (0.093) is called for.

Good luck,

Richard 

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Posted by maxman on Tuesday, November 25, 2014 4:57 PM

True Value

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Posted by zstripe on Tuesday, November 25, 2014 5:08 PM

Ken,

Do You have a Home Depot near You? They carry them:

http://www.homedepot.com/s/Round%2520head%2520screws%25202-56?NCNI-5

Also a 2-56 takes a tap drill bit 50 and clear bit 42 which is 0935 decimel equil. It's on a Model Railroad Reference Rule, if You have one. Athearn also stocks the screws, ATH 99004.

Take Care! Big Smile

Frank

 

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Posted by hon30critter on Tuesday, November 25, 2014 7:29 PM

I just ordered a bunch of hardware from these guys. Can't beat the price:

http://www.fastener-express.com/pan-head-phillips-machine-screws-zinc-plated.aspx

Kadee sells tap and drill sets:

http://www.kadee.com/htmbord/tools.htm

Dave

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Posted by rdgk1se3019 on Tuesday, November 25, 2014 8:30 PM

There is a place in Orlando Florida I used to go to all the time when I lived down there ........was there for a trip in 2010 and bought just over 2000 of them.....1/4" long and blackened.......forgot what I paid per pound......but I think I spent 25 to 30 dollars.........the place is called Skycraft......they have a Facebook page.

Dennis Blank Jr.

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Posted by Packer on Tuesday, November 25, 2014 10:11 PM

Suprisingly, Radioshack has a decent price on 2-56 screws. A 42-pack for about 3 bucks. They even carry 2-56 washers and nuts

Vincent

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Posted by crhostler61 on Wednesday, November 26, 2014 5:48 AM

I use a good bit of the small hardware like 2-56 and smaller. For me, since the one and only LHS sells the stuff for exorbitant prices and Lowes, Home Depot, and a few other local stores don't carry the little stuff. I get what I need from Micro Fasteners.

http://www.microfasteners.com/

You can get 2-56 and many other small sizes in different lengths at $2.50-5.00 per 100. Might be worth a look.

Mark H

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Posted by AltonFan on Wednesday, November 26, 2014 9:18 AM

I used to get 2-56 screws, washers, and nuts at Radio Shack.  IIRC, the screws came in 1/4", 1/2", and 3/4" lengths.

I haven't looked in a Radio Shack for this kind of hardware in years, so I don't know if any of the stores still carry them.  Probably wouldn't hurt to look if you (still) have a Radio Shack nearby.

Might be worth checking local electronic supply stores.

Dan

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Posted by LenS on Wednesday, November 26, 2014 9:28 AM

crhostler61

I use a good bit of the small hardware like 2-56 and smaller. For me, since the one and only LHS sells the stuff for exorbitant prices and Lowes, Home Depot, and a few other local stores don't carry the little stuff. I get what I need from Micro Fasteners.

http://www.microfasteners.com/

You can get 2-56 and many other small sizes in different lengths at $2.50-5.00 per 100. Might be worth a look.

Mark H

 

Used these guys many times. Really quick turnaround and they take PayPal. Way cheaper than my LHS and I don't have to leave the house.

Len S

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Posted by G Paine on Wednesday, November 26, 2014 9:37 AM
I got a box of 100 special ordered from my local independent hardware store, until they changed policy and had specials drop shipped by UPS which raised their price to something like $7 for the box.

George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch 

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Posted by MisterBeasley on Wednesday, November 26, 2014 9:37 AM

I get mine from a vendor at our local train shows.  I've also found the Microfasteners people at shows.  I buy several lengths of them, plus nuts and washers.  Stock up, they're cheap.  I bought a clear plastic compartmentalized box to keep them all organized.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

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Posted by bogp40 on Wednesday, November 26, 2014 10:00 AM

To add a helpful hint to working w/ 2/56 screws, many times the stamdard length of a steel screw ends up too long or short for the job. The Kadee delrin 2/56 coupler screws can be cut to any size with ease. A sharp #11 blade will clip it and any trimming is done w/ the blade also, Eliminates the cutting and filing.

http://www.kadee.com/htmbord/page256.htm

Modeling B&O- Chessie  Bob K.  www.ssmrc.org

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Posted by cedarwoodron on Wednesday, November 26, 2014 10:40 AM

The Radio Shack general website lists the 42- pack of 2-56 screws for less than $2.00. But- having been in RS several times within the past year, there is rarely a connection between the inventory the store-specific website states as being on hand and the actual inventory you find when you get there physically. Therefore, these screws may- or may not be in stock at any given time. - and don't ask the salesperson for help looking for them- you will only confuse them, as they usually know how to run the cash register, not intelligently talk about what they are selling!

IMO, I would rather buy online a bulk purchase of 2-56 screws (and nuts) in assorted lengths, despite the apparent economy and local aspect of buying at Radio Shack.

A quick look on E-Bay shows various quantity (and type of) assortments of metal 2-56 screws between $6 and $19 dollars- several with free shipping.

I personally don't like the delrin ones, as their courses can be damaged in certain applications, although they can be cut to size easily.

Cedarwoodron

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Posted by Soo Line fan on Wednesday, November 26, 2014 3:35 PM

Depending on the size of the town you live in, there may be fasterner companies which sell to contractors, repair shops, etc. We have dozens here in the Detroit area.

I have bought them serveral times in 100 count boxes for a little more than the hobby packs at the LHS. Cool

Jim

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Posted by cudaken on Wednesday, November 26, 2014 9:44 PM

 Far as Home Depot boy that was a wasted trip! Just so happen while I was there, there fastner Rep was as well. I asked the sales person about the 2/56 screws and he looked at me like I was nuts. He turned me over to the fastner Rep, he told me all so had never heard of that sizes and looked me like I was Hmm nuts. He did not believe me till he happened to look at a drill chart and saw 2/56.

 Radio Shack was even a bigger waste of time! If you don't want a cell phone there no reson to even go in to one of there stores. I put my self through trade school working in the old style Radio Shack and we would have had them.

 Bogp40, what did that screw come in? I use to have a ton of them, finaly started pitching them. I just check a new pack of Kadee #5's and there where none.

 I tried Aces web site and no good there either.

 Will try my LHS Friday and if no good there, off to the internet.

 Thanks for all the answers folks. Yes

            Ken

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Posted by maxman on Wednesday, November 26, 2014 10:15 PM

cudaken
I tried Aces web site and no good there either.

I pretty sure that I've purchased 2-56 screws at the local True Value.  They typically have an aisle with slide-out boxes of various fasteners, including small machine screws, nuts,and washers.  You may not find the specific length you want, but it pays to look.

I think that you are wasting your time tryng to find these small items on a local chain hardware store website.  This is a case where I believe that a phone call is actually better.

Concerning the Kadee nylon screws, I don't think they "come with" anything, but I could be mistaken.  However, they are Kadee item 256 and you can see them here, http://kadee.com/htmbord/screws.htm, along with all the other small hardware items Kadee offers. 

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Posted by zstripe on Thursday, November 27, 2014 5:26 AM

Ken,

That's amazing about some people they have working at those big box stores. The link I gave You shows the screws that they say they stock/or are available. Had a similar experience at a Sears store, they were advertising Weller pencil soldering irons, I was told they don't carry them, I looked myself and found them, told the head of that department what isle they were in. The one that said they didn't have them, never knew what they even looked like, let alone what they were called. Sad, but that is going on all over.

Take Care! Big Smile

Frank

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Posted by cedarwoodron on Thursday, November 27, 2014 10:10 AM

"Had a similar experience at a Sears store, they were advertising Weller pencil soldering irons, I was told they don't carry them, I looked myself and found them, told the head of that department what isle they were in. The one that said they didn't have them, never knew what they even looked like, let alone what they were called. Sad, but that is going on all over."

That's why these days you see only shelf-stocker employees and increasing numbers of automated self-checkout lanes in many chain stores- see my prior comment about " Radio Slack" above! For the best service, try "self-service"!Big Smile

Cedarwoodron

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Posted by hon30critter on Thursday, November 27, 2014 8:30 PM

Ken:

The best prices shown in the thread are here:

http://www.fastener-express.com/pan-head-phillips-machine-screws-zinc-plated.aspx

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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