Bridgeport micrometer scale screws

My J head had the screws missing, so I have ordered and received 6-32 screws. But on receipt the top one is fine, but the bottom one only goes in one turn indicating a different thread, which is odd. Any knowledgable people know the answer?

russ

I'd be very surprised if they were different threads. In my manual they're not listed as different screws. It's not uncommon for a thread to be slightly damaged or full of gunk such that a screw appears not to go in. I'd carefully run a 6-32 tap (ideally plug) into the hole to clean the thread.

Andrew

Thanks for the reply. Here Bridgeport they have separate part numbers?

looks like they are different lengths, were you trying to put a long screw into a shallow hole? This would also be why Andrew suggested a plug tap.

If you scroll down the page on this link:

Quill Assembly

The screws are indeed different lengths, although the thread looks the same. I'm surprised the bean counters didn't smack the designer round the head for using different length screws. It doesn't alter the fact that in my original Bridgeport manual only one part number for the screw is shown. Once the weekend is out of the way I'll take the screws out of my scale and have a look.

Andrew

I would appreciate that!

russ

I've just looked at my screws. The top screw is about 5/32" long and is longer than the lower screw by about 15 thou. However i don't think these screws are the original. The upper hole is about 7/16" deep while the lower hole is 3/16" deep. The lower screw has been cut down from a longer screw, while the upper screw looks unaltered. My head is a 2JB.

The screws could definitely be different lengths, in contradiction to my manual. But it wouldn't be the first time the manual has been wrong.

Andrew

I've looked at mine and the bottom one is much shorter. If you watch this **LINK** at about the 4:22 mark he explains that the screws are different lengths (and gives part numbers) and that using one that is too long will cause binding.

HTH

Thanks guys. But importantly the same threads?

russ

Yep, same threads.