Those little screws for carbide inserts…

[Douglas JohnstonParticipant @douglasjohnston98463]

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 25/10/2019 10:55:33:

Posted by Douglas Johnston on 25/10/2019 10:14:38:

The Arc Euro screws are top quality Sumitomo ones, but look at the price of them. […]

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For convenience: **LINK**

https://www.arceurotrade.co.uk/Catalogue/Cutting-Tools/Lathe-Turning-Tools-Indexable/Sumitomo-Indexable-Turning-Tools/Sumitomo-Spare-Insert-Locking-Screws-and-Torx-Wrenches

MichaelG.

Thanks for that link Michael, my catalogue is clearly out of date, I see the price of the wrenches is now £9.64. I think I will need to lie down from the shock. When I bought a parting tool with 10 inserts from China recently it cost less than £5,including postage,and came complete with a very decent wrench as part of the package.

Doug

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

I'm a happy Tracy Tools customer too!

I don't know how their prices compare but you could also try JB Cutting Tools for replacement screws.

I don't change tips on the machine, or even in the workshop with its solid floor impervious to all but tiny tool-holder screws, but indoors on a suitable surface on a table. (Keep the tool-holder in the QC block if necessary.)

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

My ebay purchase arrived today: **LINK**

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/50pcs-M2-5-x-6mm-Insert-Torx-Screw-for-Carbide-Inserts-Lathe-Tool/283414156464

First impressions are very favourable

MichaelG.

[old martParticipant @oldmart]

I have 1.8, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5 and 4mm screws in stock, all bought on ebay, very cheaply. I have never had one break, but they slip from my fingers all too easily when changing inserts.

[Boiler BriParticipant @boilerbri]

I change mine over a small tray just in case i drop them. At 61 my fingers do not work as good as they should and my grip has gone. A lot of club members are a lot older than me and they will have the same problems with small items.

Bri

[BC ProfParticipant @bcprof]

I too change the insert over a small tray .The screws still try to escape by bouncing out of the tray to be consumed by the black hole AKA workshop floor. Solution, clip a small magnet to the torx driver before you start

[EmgeeParticipant @emgee]

BCPROF, simple to magnetise the torque driver, put 4 or 5 coils of insulated wire tightly around the tool and flash the ends of the wire across a 12volt battery a few times.

Emgee

Edited By Emgee on 30/11/2019 10:08:54

[Enough!Participant @enough]

Or get one of these. I've found them quite good for magnetising screwdrivers and the like …. though less good for demagnetising.

[old martParticipant @oldmart]

When your hands are as arthritic as mine, you will have trouble even holding the screwdriver.

[BC ProfParticipant @bcprof]

old mart. I sympathise about the hands. I find the " flag" style of driver the easiest to use. The small button type magnets have a very strong magnetic field which , when they are attached to the driver, hold the screw firmly in place . I have find that the driver retains little residual magnetism when the magnet is removed hence any fine iron dust etc has no excuse for filling up the torx head. Having said that I still clean the driver and screw with a brass brush befr oe starting the job.

[old martParticipant @oldmart]

I have three magnets by the machines at the museum, one on a three foot handle, and two little telescopic ones. They are invaluable, as I have difficulty reaching as low as the floor.

[John BaronParticipant @johnbaron31275]

Hi Guys,

A cheap source of 2.5, 3.0 and 3.5 mm coarse torx screws are old hard drives !

[John BaronParticipant @johnbaron31275]

Hi Guys,

A quick tip ! To magnetise a screwdriver, just drag it over a magnet a few times.

Does not work for stainless items.

[old martParticipant @oldmart]

Be careful with getting the right screws, their heads have a taper, probably 60 degrees.

[HOWARDTParticipant @howardt]

Torx screws for inserts will have a higher tensile strength than those in use for hard drive assembly.

[Kevin BennettParticipant @kevinbennett25223]

I get 2.5mm torx from china and never had one fail and the cost is much lower and takes about 2 weeks to my door

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