Looking for a particular screw/bolt

Re: Looking for a particular screw/bolt

Ray Newman

Do a search on McMaster-Carr for "machine screws". https://www.mcmaster.com/

McMaster-Carr shows two thread sizes for #4 flat head machine screws: 4-40 and 4-48.

Re: Looking for a particular screw/bolt

roger lance

Try a business called the Bolt Depot.....I've had good luck with them.

Re: Looking for a particular screw/bolt

johnv

Ace hardware stores around here carry what you want. If you want to go into one right now.

Ditto on Bolt Depot

Tim Greif - West of Chicago

Bolt Depot -- I've bought a fair amount of nut and bolt hardware from them. They had stuff I couldn't find readily anywhere else. Good outfit. Not affiliated, just a satisfied customer.

ANY good hardware should be able to help

Search for micro or miniature fasteners

Re: Looking for a particular screw/bolt

Don Stephan

Perhaps the first step is to identify the actual size and thread count. A good hardware store will sell thread gauges, imperial and metric versions, and likely will have available diameter and thread count gauges for use. Ideally they also will have the correct nuts. Then you will know what size machine screw to look for at the various sources.

When the need arises to hacksaw a machine screw or bolt shorter, I like first to thread on a matching nut beyond the planned cut, hacksaw away, then unscrew the nut to help straighten out the cut thread at the new end.

From an electrical supply store or well stocked department years ago I purchased a pliers that has built in cutters for common small machine screws. Screw in the item, close the pliers to cut it off, and unscrewing will straighten the threads.

Re: Looking for a particular screw/bolt

Lee Schierer in McKean, PA

Many of the wire stripper/cutter multi tool pliers have built in bolt cutters that include #4-40 threaded bolts. These will cut you screw with much less effort than a hack saw with smoother cuts and less touch up to make them functional.

Another trick when cutting screws is to screw a couple of nuts on above the cut line so that when the cutting is done you can screw the nuts off which will clean up the threads to a degree.

Lee

Another for bolt depot *LINK*

John in NM

I like them as well as McMaster-Carr and use them for bulk orders where saving a few pennies per screw starts adding up to real money (last time I bought 1000 2 1/4" 8-32's).

4-40 is the most likely size, 4-48's are a bit oddball these days, but you can still buy them. On a #4 screw the difference between fine and coarse thread pitches is almost moot.

#4 machine screws are a bit small for the average hardware store to stock, so I would recommend calling ahead if you want to check your local Ace. Saves a lot of driving around.


https://www.boltdepot.com/Product-Details.aspx?product=1598

Re: Looking for a particular screw/bolt

Pete in Holland MI

Your local hardware store with the aisle full of the little drawers of various fasteners should be able to have what you need. Most threads are pretty standard anymore. Bring the screw & pull with you when you search. I've never seen them, but there may be metric screw pulls out there.

Hardware store

Re: Looking for a particular screw/bolt

Andy Lincoln in Dearborn,MI.

https://www.boltdepot.com/Machine_screws_Phillips_pan_head_Zinc_plated_steel_4-40.aspx

Re: Looking for a particular screw/bolt

Johanna Johanson

I did find the correct bolt at Home Depot - I had not realized they carried some metric hardware.

Thanks to all who responded - I now have saved the info on Bolt Depot and also know that my wire cutters might be good for cutting bolts as well.

Today I'll finish sanding the little box and get some shellac on it. I plan to make one more, so I bought enough 3/4 inch bolts to use on the next one, too.