Small head Cap screws for ADM/Losmandy dovetails

[wasyoungonce (Brendan)]

I ordered an ADM DUP11M dovetail to fit some WO 101mm rings. I believed that the WO rings had M6 screw holes...but alas I was wrong.

They have 1/4" thread holes and I ordered the wrong screws from ADM.

It's easy enough to get 1/4" cap screws (with heads of around 6.4mm depth) but it's not very easy to source low profile cap screws (with heads of around 4mm depth)....the type needed in ADM & Losmandy dovetails. Otherwise the heads foul on the G11 dovetail head.

In fact it's like looking for rocking horse droppings!

Anyone know where I can get low head profile (head depth) 1/4" cap head machine screws in Australia?

[peter_4059 (Peter)]

I had a similar problem - the solution was to get button head and grind the diameter down a bit.

I did this by putting the thread of the screw in the chuck of the drill and holding a metal file to the edge of the rotating button head. Worked a treat!

[wasyoungonce (Brendan)]

Hi Peter.

I looked at that.

I ground down some 1/4" Cap heads (6.5mm) to the smaller size (4mm)....not alot left to purchase a hex key on!

Funny thing...all the centre drilling's on the ADM DUP11M have deeper countersunk holes for larger Cap head depth.

What I really want is some stainless low profile cap head screws...

[peter_4059 (Peter)]

That's not what I mean - you get button head and reduce the diameter of the head a bit to fit in the recess in the dovetail plate.

[peter_4059 (Peter)]

The reason the edge drilling isn't as deep is because it is right on the dovetail section.

[wasyoungonce (Brendan)]

Originally Posted by peter_4059

That's not what I mean - you get button head and reduce the diameter of the head a bit to fit in the recess in the dovetail plate.

Sorry crossed wires...yep I know what you mean and I have thought of grinding down button heads (the circumference of the heads) to fit (as the button heads have less head depth) but I really wanted Hex heads.


Edit:

yep I looked at the dovetail cuts and reasoned why the countersunk depths are so small. I have to wonder why the design wasn't changed because of this. Anyway..really after Cap heads due mainly as I'll be using Allen keys in any case.

[peter_4059 (Peter)]

Here's mine...

You can get allen key button heads - I did.

[wasyoungonce (Brendan)]

Originally Posted by peter_4059

Here's mine...

You can get allen key button heads - I did.

Ahhhh now I didn't think of that..."slaps forehead"!.....got a source?

[peter_4059 (Peter)]

I got mine from a shop in Brisbane called "the bolt place" I'm pretty sure they will be easy to come by in Melbourne.

[wasyoungonce (Brendan)]

Thanks...new ground to cover and new opportunities to explore!

[citivolus (Ric)]

I got mine from "Bolt King" in Capalaba; I'm sure you have a local equivalent. It helps if you can browse some online PDF bolt catalogues in advance so that you know exactly what you are looking for.

[Barrykgerdes]

I have two left over from my wedge because I re-machined ordinary round heads before I found the ones supplied. Any offers?

I also considered deepening the holes with an end mill and use standard hex head bolts.

Barry

[wasyoungonce (Brendan)]

Originally Posted by Barrykgerdes

.....Any offers?.... Barry

Ahhh a Capitalist world.

I'm already on the local trail of said rocking horse droppings.

edit:

Button head stainless hex screws found, Qty 10 for the princely sum of $8. I had to reduce the head diameter (thanks Peter)...all over bar the shouting!

Thanks Gents!

[creeker (Ed)]

Hello
Here is an online source for ¼-20 low profile screws. Hope it helps.
regards
Ed
http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT...MT4NO=75699693

[wasyoungonce (Brendan)]

Thanks Ed...but linky is broken

edit:

I edited the link in my browser & found the products...thank