Imperial sized grub screws

[robiredale]

Content does not get more exciting than this.

 

I have a couple of rounded grub screws on a Dingwall NG2 bass that require replacement.

 

They are imperial sized I think, and this is a problem for me, as I'm utterly clueless about the system. I've measured the screw as half an inch long and 0.13 inches wide. 

 

Does anyone have an idea of where I might be able to source the screws I need?

[rwillett]

Try googling
 

"imperial grub screw 1/8 uk"

 

A number of UK companies pop up. The problem now maybe whats the thread on the grub screw. That could be tricky to find out. 

 

Why imperial measurements haven't died out is beyond me. As an exercise for the reader, what sized screw fitting is on almost every camera ever made, including Russian and Japanese?

 

Rob
 

 

[Stub Mandrel]

EKP Supplies.

 

If they don't stock what you need, they will make it.

[Hellzero]

Amazon provides a lot of these grub screws in imperial and metric measurements.

 

That said the inch is an imperial measurement. 😉

 

Here is a link to a conversion table using the American UNC thread measurements: https://www.trfastenings.com/knowledge-base/thread-geometries/thread-conversion-table

 

According to this table you need a #6-32 thread, which is the usual suspect for these screws.

[Hellzero]

Here are some: https://www.accu.co.uk/imperial-cup-point-setgrub-screws/166962-SSU-6-32-1-8-A4-BL

[robiredale]

thanks all for the replies! super helpful. 

 

@Hellzero - thanks so much for this! The Accu link you provided is great - apart from it states that they will not ship for 41 days, which is a bit longer than I'd like to wait.

 

are these the correct ones also? Link

[baldwinbass]

5 minutes ago, robiredale said:

The Accu link you provided is great

I've used them several times, and specifically for imperial threads. Can reccommend!

[Hellzero]

2 hours ago, robiredale said:

thanks all for the replies! super helpful. 

 

@Hellzero - thanks so much for this! The Accu link you provided is great - apart from it states that they will not ship for 41 days, which is a bit longer than I'd like to wait.

 

are these the correct ones also? Link

Do you need more than 181 screws?!?

[robiredale]

no, but the ones i need are 1/2 long. when i select that, it says despatched in 41 days.

 

although they have stainless ones in stock (rather than marine grade stainless). so i'll give them a go!

 

cheers

[Stub Mandrel]

4 hours ago, robiredale said:

no, but the ones i need are 1/2 long. when i select that, it says despatched in 41 days.

 

although they have stainless ones in stock (rather than marine grade stainless). so i'll give them a go!

 

cheers

 

ACCU can be bonkers expensive with their MOQs. Try EKP, my last order came in 48 hours.

[PaulThePlug]

I use Spaldings Fastners A2 Stainless, Plus you can get them in different lengths 4+ 4 instead of having em poking out the saddle

1/2" 10 pack - £5

https://www.spaldingfasteners.co.uk/PARENT1875

Edited March 24 by PaulThePlug

[Stub Mandrel]

23 hours ago, rwillett said:

As an exercise for the reader, what sized screw fitting is on almost every camera ever made, including Russian and Japanese?

 

Mostly 1/4" BSW, but some are 14/20 UNC.

 

A 14/20 UNC thread, commonly used on tripods etc. will fit 1/4 BSW but not the other way round (if made to tolerance).

[rwillett]

1 minute ago, Stub Mandrel said:

 

Mostly 1/4" BSW, but some are 14/20 UNC.

 

A 14/20 UNC thread, commonly used on tripods etc. will fit 1/4 BSW but not the other way round (if made to tolerance).

The man wins a cigar...

[robiredale]

thanks again to everyone who's offered help and advice.

 

i am slightly saddened that my thread about grub screws has generated more interest than some threads about my band, but there you go 😆

 

cheers!

[rwillett]

But on the plus side, you now know more about Imperial grub screws than you ever did before.

Edited March 25 by rwillett

[Grooverjr]

You lucky, lucky people. I am resurrecting this thread! I just bought a 1976 Kramer so it has to be imperial and I need a grub screw for the very unusual offset saddles. It is (drumroll please) 3-32 or 3-36 according to my measurements. I expect m2.5 and a pitch around 0.7 in metric would do the job as at that size the difference is so minimal.

So I checked your useful links provided and.....nothing.  I'm in Mexico so everything is imperial anyway and can't find anything here either. I really don't fancy a trip to the old centre where all the guitar shops are but I don't think I have a choice. 

Moral of the story....don't buy really old stuff!

[Hellzero]

By the way, there's loads of information about original Kramer here (I chose the parts section): http://www.vintagekramer.com/parts.htm

[Hellzero]

And if it's an M2.5 than the UNC equivalent will be 3-48 or if it's closer to M3, it will be UNC 4-40.

 

Imperial measures are quite a nightmare when you're not used to them. 😉

[Hellzero]

https://monsterbolts.com/products/socket-set-cup-a2-3-48

 

But I think these are the right ones: https://monsterbolts.com/products/guitar-fender-saddle-screws-inch-a2

 

[Grooverjr]

18 minutes ago, Hellzero said:

And if it's an M2.5 than the UNC equivalent will be 3-48 or if it's closer to M3, it will be UNC 4-40.

 

Imperial measures are quite a nightmare when you're not used to them. 😉

They are madness. I've used various converters and it's definitely a 3. I counted the number of threads on the screw at 14 and it's 3/8 inch long so that comes out as 37.3 tpi so it would be 3-36 or 3-40 possibly. Still can't find anything online locally. I'm resigned to just trawling round the guitar places with the saddle and the screw I have and trying to find one that fits. I've also asked the guy who sold it to me as he is a big vintage dealer and may have some lying around. 

[Grooverjr]

29 minutes ago, Hellzero said:

https://monsterbolts.com/products/socket-set-cup-a2-3-48

 

But I think these are the right ones: https://monsterbolts.com/products/guitar-fender-saddle-screws-inch-a2

 

Thanks. Those are the ones I found on an old Squier bridge I have but it's too big!