Just an update for information. I have found a supplier who stocks the square head toolpost screws. Thet are Engineering Services (Fastners) Ltd. They have a website and their phone no is 01535 665414. They don’t have a huge stock and the studs are – hmmm- lets say not exactly bargain basement. £2.50 each for 3/8 BSW and £1.06 each for M10. Still, for me I would rather buy these and use my valued workshop time a bit more productively.
However, the toolpost thimbles, AKA cottonreels, are another story. I spoke to Rotagrip – who are very nice people to deal with – and they can get them but they are £37.00 each. As I need a total of 10, I will definitely be turning these myself! The real horror story was that the studs that the thimbles mount on are £ 19.00 EACH!!! I can only guess that they usually sell them to the military, who else would pay that much for an inch and a half of threaded stud?