Record #05 Jack Plane, Loose Handle
Ken in Boise
>I bought the plane 2 years ago new from Amazon.com. I just got around to sharpening the blade and using it to flatten a work bench top. After about 45 minutes, the handle loosened. I tried to tighten the front screw and it just turned so I removed the handle. The screw only had about 2 threads of engagement and is now stripped. The plane threads seem fine. My problem is finding a replacement screw.
The threads must be British. They match to 20 threads per inch (tpi) but the diameter is about 3/16" or maybe a #12. I can't find the screw anywhere. Not even at the local Industrial fasterner supply house.
Irwin Tools, who owns Record, doesn't ship the planes here anymore and doesn't stock parts. They basically said I was SOL. I did get an email address for someone in England but they haven't answered me.
So, after this longwinded story, I've got a couple of questions. 1. Anyone know what kind of screw this is and where I could buy one? 2. If not, anyone know if I would be creating a problem by retapping the plane to a 1/4 - 20? It appears to have enough meat around the threads to handle it. Thanks.