I picked up some Bowser HO scale hoppers on ebay without trucks. I've ordered the trucks, but I still need the screws to attach them to the frame. What is the correct size/type screw and where can I get them?
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The Bowser hoppers use 1/2"x 2-56 screws. Walthers, and perhaps Athearn offer such screws, but you may also find them at a well-stocked hardware store (and at a much cheaper price, too). While the 1/2" length is needed for most hopper cars, the same 2-56 size, but in shorter lengths, is very commonly used for most HO scale rolling stock. And no need to buy self-tapping ones, either, unless you're using them in metal underframes.
Wayne
A suggestion: Remove a screw from one of Your other cars and see if they will fit. They are either, course thread 2-56 x3/8'', or fine thread machine screw's 2-56 x 3/8''. If they are the fine thread machine screw's, Athearn carry's them....round head black # ATH99004, 24 in pack. Athearn also carry's the course or self-tap, but I don't have the part #.
Take Care!
Frank
BTW: They can be shorter than 3/8's also, Athearn also has them. But they are usually 2-56.
I have had very good experience with this seller on ebay. Free shipping and GREAT prices!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Stainless-Steel-Phillips-Pan-Head-Machine-Screw-2-56-x-1-2-Qty-250-/201082566593?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ed17477c1
250 pc. for $8.00 in Stainless, (unaffected by uncoupling magnets) including shipping!
Shop around, he has brass and black oxide, too.
Hope this helps, Ed
There are any number of suppliers of 2-56 screws on the INTERNET and elsewhere. I have always had good luck at the local hobby shop.
Even if they don't specialize in trains they stock small hardware for the model airplane guys. Perfect makes several varieties of 2-56 screws that are relatively cheap in a hobby store.
Remember its your railroad
Allan
Track to the BRVRR Website: http://www.brvrr.com/
gmpullman I have had very good experience with this seller on ebay. Free shipping and GREAT prices! http://www.ebay.com/itm/Stainless-Steel-Phillips-Pan-Head-Machine-Screw-2-56-x-1-2-Qty-250-/201082566593?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ed17477c1 250 pc. for $8.00 in Stainless, (unaffected by uncoupling magnets) including shipping! Shop around, he has brass and black oxide, too. Hope this helps, Ed
Thanks, Ed! What a great source. I ordered a bunch of stuff I'd had trouble finding.
Glad you found what you were looking for, Carl. I stocked up on a bunch of smaller sized pan head and flat head screws for various needs around the layout. The stainless was so inexpensive that's what I bought...
Then... duh! They don't stick too well to a magnetic drive tip, do they? So I ordered a bunch more in steel.
I should mention, if you need truck screws you probably should stick to round head since the OD of the pan heads might be too big to sit in the recess in the bolster.
Quick service, too. You'll have them in a few days.
Have fun! Ed
gmpullman Glad you found what you were looking for, Carl. I stocked up on a bunch of smaller sized pan head and flat head screws for various needs around the layout. The stainless was so inexpensive that's what I bought... Then... duh! They don't stick too well to a magnetic drive tip, do they? So I ordered a bunch more in steel. I should mention, if you need truck screws you probably should stick to round head since the OD of the pan heads might be too big to sit in the recess in the bolster. Quick service, too. You'll have them in a few days. Have fun! Ed
I was to add, that some of the SAE 2/56 pan head screws, may even have the head just a touch too small for some truck mounting. Not actuall a good place to be using a washer, but have needed it a some odd trucks. Don't believe this would be a problem w/ Bowser trucks.
Modeling B&O- Chessie Bob K. www.ssmrc.org
Following the theme of this topic - I've been running some MDC freight cars lately that were instorage for years. Several of them have lost their truck while running due to the tiny truck mounting screw falling out. It seems Roundhouse's choice of tiny screws was a poor one as they don't really secure the truck in a solid, reliable way - they may just be too short and small. To get them to run reliably, it look I'm going to have to replace the factory screws with something a little thicker and longer. I could secure the existing screws with AC or something but really they are just too small IMO.
Anyone experience this with their MDC freight cars and if so, what screws did you go with to replace the stock MDC truck screws?
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
riogrande5761 Following the theme of this topic - I've been running some MDC freight cars lately that were instorage for years. Several of them have lost their truck while running due to the tiny truck mounting screw falling out. It seems Roundhouse's choice of tiny screws was a poor one as they don't really secure the truck in a solid, reliable way - they may just be too short and small. To get them to run reliably, it look I'm going to have to replace the factory screws with something a little thicker and longer. I could secure the existing screws with AC or something but really they are just too small IMO. Anyone experience this with their MDC freight cars and if so, what screws did you go with to replace the stock MDC truck screws?
Only from time to time w/ some of the die cast frames. Some of the troublesome ones, just held w/ CA. Eventually tapped them out for a larger screw. The screws for the coupler cover are much smaller, a few times 4 of those smaller ones were supplied, head would barely hold the truck, changed those out on assy.
Radio Shack also sells 2/56 screws in different sizes.
Jay
C-415 Build: https://imageshack.com/a/tShC/1
Other builds: https://imageshack.com/my/albums
Hello All,
A good source for small screws. http://www.microfasteners.com/.
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
I use brass 2-56 screws because they are easy to snip off to a perfect length if needed. Tip: thread on a 2-56 nut before cutting; then when you remove the nut, it will reshape the threads deformed by the flush cutters. I still dress the tip of the threads with a needle file (at about a 45 degree angle) but having the nut on first really helps' and it makes holding the small screw a bit easier too. The nut also can help with setting the length if you use the face of the nut to keep the flush cutters at the same place on other screws.
If a hole is stripped, you can fill it with plastic (let the glue set up for a day or two or the plug might twist in the still-gooey state) and drill and tap a new hole. If you don't want to re drill the hole, you might be able to insert a short piece of stranded copper wire into the stripped hole (sometimes one single U-shaped strand is enough, sometimes a whole bunch need to be untwisted into the hole...it all depends on how stripped the hole is).
Different glues can be put into the hole...When the glue hardens it will form threads around the screw. Apply oil or other release agent to the threads of the screw if you want to insure you can unscrew it later. In my opinion the best way is to fill it with something substantial and re drill and tap the hole.
Small wood screws can work in a pinch, but their heads may be too big to fit into the truck bolster; file/grind them down until they fit and allow for easy movement of the truck. Old electronic things (cell phones, printers, radios, etc) are good sources of tiny screws in all kinds of shapes and sizes; and it's fun to take apart stuff before you throw it away. Other bits and pieces are in there too...motors, LEDs, things that would look good as 'junk' detail parts, small diameter wire and even the plastic housing can make useful tools (like a brace for the interior of a structure, a shim or even a glue spreader for CA glue).
http://delray1967.shutterfly.com/pictures/5
SEMI Free-Mo@groups.io
Thanks so much for this useful post! Wow those are some great tips. I will definitely save them for future reference. What are you using to fill the stripped truck bolster holes? Cementing in a tight fitting styrene bar?
Thanks.
Eh... LION noth ave a small screw. Him has been know to use no. 8 sheet metal screws to hold trucks on. Say on if you must, but the trucks still work.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
I have some old Accurail Box Car with the plastic pegs to hold the trucks. Will the 2-56 screws be a direct fit or would I have to use a styrene rod to fill the mounting hole before using the screw?
Guy
Modeling CNR in the 50's