Sources for tiny screws?

[Memento Mori]

Hello LF folk,
How do any of you find replacement screws for repairs? Specifically, I’m now looking for the teeny tiny screws that hold the “index” plate ( top faceplate) of my Ilex Acme #3 synchro shutter on to the body of the shutter, although I’m sure I’ll have other needs as time goes by…
Anybody have a bits bucket they’d be willing to dig through?

There seem to be various cheap “1000 assorted screws for watch and eyeglass repair ” kits on Amazon but they are all metric and my shutter is American made, I believe, and from the 40s so…
Cheers

[domaz]

The hard part might be figuring out the thread size and some are the old camera screws are custom cut from what I understand. McMaster-Carr has very small US threaded screws and pretty much any screw ever made.

[Jim Noel]

Micro-Mark sells a collection of small screws & bolts.

[gypsydog]

Tilt my head sideways and shake it.

[Neal Chaves]

Hello LF folk,
How do any of you find replacement screws for repairs? Specifically, I’m now looking for the teeny tiny screws that hold the “index” plate ( top faceplate) of my Ilex Acme #3 synchro shutter on to the body of the shutter, although I’m sure I’ll have other needs as time goes by…
Anybody have a bits bucket they’d be willing to dig through?

There seem to be various cheap “1000 assorted screws for watch and eyeglass repair ” kits on Amazon but they are all metric and my shutter is American made, I believe, and from the 40s so…
Cheers

Surplus Shed has bags of tiny optical screws, most from US-made Wollensak and other optics.

https://www.surplusshed.com/pages/item/M2916.html

[RandyB]

IMO, it is doubtful that you will find "new" replacement screws in the size you need. You might have better luck finding your exact screws at a camera repair shop, one that has been around for a long time and has a large "back stock" of parts. You may have to do an extensive search to find this shop as many have closed over the years and there is a good chance that they are not going to be close to you. You should take your shutter with you so they can find the correct screws.

[Greg]

Years ago I bought a batch of broken shutters up for auction for very, very little money. Stripped them all of all their screws and a few other miscellaneous parts and put them in a plastic multi sectioned container. I've found replacement screws from that box a number of times.

[Jim Noel]

That is the process I used for years. I also saved springs from them.

[Jim C.]

Neal's link is a good one for the grab bag of screws, but if you're looking for a specific style ( slotted head vs phillips )
you might be dissapointed, and you'll need a thread checker too.

Checking the thread isn't that hard, all you need is a machinists caliper and a thread gausge
a caveat on the thread gauge, it's worth getting a well made one like $tarrett or Mitutoyo
when you're dealing with very fine thread pitch the teeth of the gauges can be 'mushy'
not sharp and well defined. You may find Starrets and Mitutoyo's on eBay at a decent price.

Try these folks, never ordered from them, but they specialize in small screws
you still need to know the thread pitch -

https://jimorrisco.com/index.asp

Jim

[Tin Can]

I have bought many tiny screws on eBay

Very high quality made in CHINA


Just got a tiny power driver with hardened bits