3/16" verses #10 machine screws

W

wrndln

Well-known member
I was looking for the size of the headlight focusing screw in the Standard Hardware booklet. It states the size is: 3/16-32. I always thought 3/16" machine screws were really #10 size, so 3/16-32 would be the same as #10-32. I have never seen 3/16-32 machine screws in stores. I have seen 3/16" carriage bolts. Can anyone confirm or refute whether they are the same or different?
Rusty Nelson
 
Rusty, they are the same--or as close as you're going to get.

#12 hardware is bigger.

Joe
 
Yep, it amazing how quickly much of what we need is no longer available at hardware stores. I've been running around looking for two #12 x 1" oval or flat head wood screws with a slotted head. Finally found a couple yesterday for 33 cents each with a flat head. I really wanted oval, but still haven't found them. Any slotted head screws are quickly disappearing.
 
Forget finding them in any store that only sells blister-packaged H-ware.

I've generally had good success with ACE Hardware stores, which tend to stock loose hardware in pull-out trays..
 
I think the 3/16" screws of the past were #10-24, at least from what I've found. Ace Hardware and McMaster-Carr seem to be the best. I buy from McMaster through my business though I do know you can buy online with a credit card.
Good luck,
Paul
 
Tom Wesenberg said:
Yep, it amazing how quickly much of what we need is no longer available at hardware stores. I've been running around looking for two #12 x 1" oval or flat head wood screws with a slotted head. Finally found a couple yesterday for 33 cents each with a flat head. I really wanted oval, but still haven't found them. Any slotted head screws are quickly disappearing.
Click to expand...

Go to Mcmaster Carr.
 
The "old toolmaker" way to determine what diameter rod is used for machine screw sizes is to take the number size and times it by .013 and then add .060. Example for 10-32 is 10 X .013 = .130 + .060 = .190; .190 being close to 3/16 so the #10 screws are that size. The 12-24 screw would be 12 X .013 = .156 + .060 = .216; .216 is just under 7/32.
 
Cute Trick! I'll remember that one! You are correct, #10s are interchangeable with 3/16, and #12s are 7/32. Little story, I once found an old, large coffee can that was about half full of 1/4-20s 12-24 and 10-32 SS Oval heads among a lot of other stuff for $.50. I didn't realize that the 12-24s were in there till I got it home and started poking around in it. I've never found any since. You get a little lucky now and then.
Terry











Fordors said:
The "old toolmaker" way to determine what diameter rod is used for machine screw sizes is to take the number size and times it by .013 and then add .060. Example for 10-32 is 10 X .013 = .130 + .060 = .190; .190 being close to 3/16 so the #10 screws are that size. The 12-24 screw would be 12 X .013 = .156 + .060 = .216; .216 is just under 7/32.
Click to expand...
 
Tom Wesenberg said:
Yep, it amazing how quickly much of what we need is no longer available at hardware stores. I've been running around looking for two #12 x 1" oval or flat head wood screws with a slotted head. Finally found a couple yesterday for 33 cents each with a flat head. I really wanted oval, but still haven't found them. Any slotted head screws are quickly disappearing.[/QUOTE

Did you try 7 Corners Hardware? They had some pretty cool, off the path, stuff 10 years ago when I used to hit Minneapolis pretty often.

http://www.7corners.com/
Click to expand...
 
5window said:
Tom Wesenberg said:
Yep, it amazing how quickly much of what we need is no longer available at hardware stores. I've been running around looking for two #12 x 1" oval or flat head wood screws with a slotted head. Finally found a couple yesterday for 33 cents each with a flat head. I really wanted oval, but still haven't found them. Any slotted head screws are quickly disappearing.[/QUOTE

Did you try 7 Corners Hardware? They had some pretty cool, off the path, stuff 10 years ago when I used to hit Minneapolis pretty often.

http://www.7corners.com/
Click to expand...

Yep, I was in there about 10 years ago, and about 5 years ago. Unfortunately during that 5 year period they have become a lot more ordinary in the hardware, and no longer have the great nuts and bolts like they used to.
Click to expand...
 
Tom, not too long ago we had a Trustworthy Hardware store that carried those. It was owned by our local CO-OP. They decided to close it two years ago and I can feel your pain in not being able to find cartian sizes and types of hardware. I wish I would have bought their selection of screws but with the news that the place I was working was closing its doors I was not spending much at that time. Rod
 
Reading this makes me feel lucky that we have three specialty bearing/bolt/tool stores in the town I live, where I can buy the correct size bolts etc. This is in addition to the hardware stores, and the town only has a population of 14000.
 
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