Need Holes Drilled for Lens Flange

[Punker]

Hey all,

I bought a Commercial Ektar lens some months ago, ordered a properly bored lensboard from China to fit my Tachihara, but I'm having the darndest time finding somewhere locally to drill holes for the flange screws.

I took the screws to Home Depot to discover that they're #2 machine screws, though I couldn't determine the thread spacing. I can't justify sending everything to SK Grimes to have them drill me 5 holes for $65+s/h. I only have to make threaded holes in a thin Linhof board so I was thinking I might be able to do it myself with self-tapping screws.

The only problem is, I don't know what to search for to find #2 self-tapping machine screws. I don't mind buying a couple different thread sizes to try them in the flange to see if they'll work. Any info would be greatly appreciated!

[Leigh]

Are you sure they're #2? Those are only 0.086" diameter... quite tiny.

#2 machine screws would be either #2-56 or #2-64. Those are the only standard sizes.

You can see what self-tapping screws are available at McMaster-Carr Supply at http://www.mcmaster.com
Click on the Screws and Bolts icon at upper left, then
on Tapping, Wood, and Drywall Screws on the 2nd line.

- Leigh

[Greg]

60 Pc SAE & Metric Tap and Die Set from Harbor Freight runs you under $40.00. Have tapped probably 100 holes in metal and plastic and have yet to break a tap. Of course I am very careful and work slowly (I realize that this Tap and Die Set would never hold up under commercial applications).

For screws I go to my local ACE Hardware store. They determine the thread spacing for me for free.

I wouldn't go the route of self tapping screws. I've had them fail going through thin metal, whereas never had a bolt screwed into a threaded hole fail. Now I back up the the bolt with a nut on the inside of the lens board.

[Punker]

Thanks, Leigh! I'm looking it over now. This is how I determined the size.






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[Leigh]

Thanks, Leigh! I'm looking it over now. This is how I determined the size.

Those gauges are reasonably accurate, more so for larger screws.

- Leigh

[Punker]

Now I back up the the bolt with a nut on the inside of the lens board.

Do you think making an unthreaded hole backed up with a nut might work? Perhaps with some thread locker on it to keep it secure?



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[Alan Gales]

You could just drill your own holes and then use bolts.

If you really want the holes tapped for screws you might check out your local machine shop. They may do it for you for a nominal fee. I don't know but it won't hurt to check.

[Punker]

You could just drill your own holes and then use bolts.

If you really want the holes tapped for screws you might check out your local machine shop. They may do it for you for a nominal fee. I don't know but it won't hurt to check.

Definitely considering it. I've contacted 4 shops. 2 of them don't have the right bit and 2 didn't respond unfortunately.




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[Jac@stafford.net]

What a simple issue. Go to Ace Hardware (if you have one). They have every screw you could want. Choose the correct one by fitting it into the flange holes. Then choose a matching nut. Drill the lens board with the appropriate drill or one slightly larger. Be happy.

You do not need holes to be tapped. It's a waste of effort.
.

[Alan Gales]

Definitely considering it. I've contacted 4 shops. 2 of them don't have the right bit and 2 didn't respond unfortunately.




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I mailed the flange for my 14" Commercial Ektar to Bruce Wehman so he could mount it to a new Wehman board. I took a pencil and marked the flange at top dead center. I then taped it to a card and marked TDC above my pencil mark so Bruce could easily see it. Bruce did a great job for me. My lens mounts to my camera exactly as I wanted it to.

Don't forget to mark your flange the way you want it if someone else is doing the job.

Good luck to you!