Suunto compass - spare screw sought

[Gubbo]

Hi,

I've managed to sheer off one of the small pivot screws from my suunto K-12 bracket compass.

Unfortunately Suunto no longer support these old models so they can't supply one.

Does anyone have one in their spares box? (I'll happily pay for it) Do you know of a compass repair business that may be able to help?

Here are a couple of pictures to show the part I need

Regards

Richard

 

[prv]

I'd have thought any old bolt of the right size would do the job. Perhaps best find a brass one to avoid affecting the compass.

Failing that, anyone with a lathe and a set of dies ought to be able to make one easily.

Pete

 

[VicS]

Hi,

I've managed to sheer off one of the small pivot screws from my suunto K-12 bracket compass.

http://www.bpsc-marine.co.uk/ Barry Phillips posts on here now and then

Although a man with a small lathe might make one quicker.

 

[Hypocacculus]

A clockmaker would be able to make one for you easily, or might have something suitable in the box of screws all horologists hoard. FYI that is called a shoulder screw.

 

[DinghyMan]

If you know or can measure the thread I could turn one for you

 

[fergie_mac66]

If you can not get one. Railway modellers shop will find what you want or someone who can make it in brass . Failing that you can use a brass screw full length and get a foot of brass tube get right dia cut to length will do the same job .

 

[Heckler]

Hi,

I've managed to sheer off one of the small pivot screws from my suunto K-12 bracket compass.

Unfortunately Suunto no longer support these old models so they can't supply one.

Does anyone have one in their spares box? (I'll happily pay for it) Do you know of a compass repair business that may be able to help?

Here are a couple of pictures to show the part I need

Regards

Richard

View attachment 43457View attachment 43456

Put a ruler along side it or measure the diameter of the bolt. It will be a bog std metric bolt.
Stu

 

[VicS]

Put a ruler along side it or measure the diameter of the bolt. It will be a bog std metric bolt.
Stu

Dont look like bolts to me.

they are shoulder screws as Hypocacculus says in #4​

 

[LadyInBed]

You could try http://www.butlerfasteners.co.uk/index.html

 

[prof pat pending]

I'd be looking for an Austenitic (non magnetic) stainless bolt such as
http://www.automotioncomponents.co.uk/files/catalogues/mec.scs.stss.pdf

 

[Heckler]

Dont look like bolts to me.

they are shoulder screws as Hypocacculus says in #4​

Oh dear me.
S

 

[nigelmercier]

Oh dear me.

I think it's important to get this right.

Is it fastened with a nut? Yes = bolt. No = screw.

 

[prv]

Is it fastened with a nut? Yes = bolt. No = screw.

What if it's not fastened at all, and just sitting in a box on the shelf?

No way of telling? Schroedinger's Fastener?

(I thought the difference was whether it was threaded its whole length, or only at the end.)

Pete

 

[nigelmercier]

Schroedinger's Fastener?
(I thought the difference was whether it was threaded its whole length, or only at the end.)

Nice!

So did I, but I looked it up before posting.

 

[prv]

So did I, but I looked it up before posting.

In that case, my question is a serious one. How do you know if it's a bolt or a screw, if it's just sitting there on its own? Perhaps tomorrow I might decide to put a nut on it - does it then turn from a screw into a bolt?

Seems bloody silly to me.

Pete

 

[prof pat pending]

This'll be interesting on an international forum

 

[Heckler]

In that case, my question is a serious one. How do you know if it's a bolt or a screw, if it's just sitting there on its own? Perhaps tomorrow I might decide to put a nut on it - does it then turn from a screw into a bolt?

Seems bloody silly to me.

Pete

Exactly, you know what I meant and at this point all that is needed to be known is the diameter of the thing. From there one could search for the correct thing OR given as this is PBO, give advice on how to make something to make it whole again!
However the old pedant decided to make mischief and someone on the side has jumped in!
Stu

 

[VicS]

In that case, my question is a serious one. How do you know if it's a bolt or a screw, if it's just sitting there on its own? Perhaps tomorrow I might decide to put a nut on it - does it then turn from a screw into a bolt?

Seems bloody silly to me.

Pete

The unqualified term "bolt", a bog standard bolt if you like, refers to a hexagonal headed and partially threaded fastener with the unthreaded shank the same diameter as the nominal thread size.

The similar item fully threaded is known as a set screw, although I have known them to be called set bolts.

The important feature of the items in the OP compass is that they are shouldered. The unthreaded potion is a larger diameter than the thread size and has square undercut shoulder which tightens against the inner gimbal ring and provides the pivot for the outer ring.
A standard bolt would be an unsatisfactory substitute for two reasons. Firstly it would not tighten satisfactorily against the inner gimbal ring and secondly because with a shank the same diameter as the thread it would be a lose sloppy fit in the outer ring.


Mostly fasteners with heads other than hexagonal heads are called screws although there are numerous exceptions. Coach bolts immediately come to mind.

 

[Heckler]

Hi,

I've managed to sheer off one of the small pivot screws from my suunto K-12 bracket compass.

Unfortunately Suunto no longer support these old models so they can't supply one.

Does anyone have one in their spares box? (I'll happily pay for it) Do you know of a compass repair business that may be able to help?

Here are a couple of pictures to show the part I need

Regards

Richard

View attachment 43457View attachment 43456

Richard
Whilst the children pedants squabble about definitions of hardware, could you measure the diameter of the thread on your screw and post it please?
Stu

 

[Hypocacculus]

Richard
Whilst the children pedants squabble about definitions of hardware, could you measure the diameter of the thread on your screw and post it please?
Stu

If you are thinking of making a replacement, you'll need the diameter and length of the unthreaded section too. Because it's a shoulder screw the unthreaded section is wider than the thread so two diameters have to be cut on the blank.

That is why the fact it is a shoulder screw, not any other type of screw is important; it's not just pedantry. Anybody who makes stuff knows that the devil is in the detail. If the shoulder isn't made wider, the compass will rattle in its mount.