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screws frequently used on lenses
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 18, 2014 12:05 pm    Post subject: screws frequently used on lenses Reply with quote
I wonder if there are some standard screw sizes which are regularily used on old lenses.
e.g. does anyone know if the screws often used on the mounts are M1.6 or M2 screws, if M2 M2.5 or M 2.6? Or do they not follow the ISO metric thread stadard??

thank's, andreas


PostPosted: Sun Apr 20, 2014 9:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I have occasionally found metric screws on lenses; M1.6 and M2 only from memory, nothing larger. I think ISO standard metric fasteners are not often used because the heads are very large in relation to the thread diameter. The volume (i.e. both diameter and depth) required to countersink or counterbore for even an M1.6 head is surprisingly large. I use M1.6 in my DIY lens work and it can be a problem finding space for the heads. The screws you tend to find on lenses have very small heads relative to the thread diameter.

Possibly you are more likely to find metric threads on headless screws (i.e. grub screws or set screws)

Mark


PostPosted: Sun Apr 20, 2014 11:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
thank you so much Mark for your answer!
I had found small packages with some 20 pieces of different length of both M1.6 and M2 screws here in Japan in a local hardware store and have been wondering if I should get them. I guess I will, though today I will go downtown Osaka where I know a store specializing in screws, shall check there too first.
( btw. with M2.5 and M2.6 I did not nean screws with bigger diameter than 2mm but with different bitch, but I take it that I got the nomenclatura wrong. )

thank you andreas


PostPosted: Mon Apr 21, 2014 3:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
You will need JIS flat head countersunk machine screw which is the screw used on most lens mount. As Mark said, most screws are in thread size of M1.6 or M2. Remember, the head diameter should be in the right size to fit a specific lens. I am not sure about the thread pitch so you have to try it yourself.

P.S Better bring few samples and ask the staff which screw is compatible.


PostPosted: Tue Apr 22, 2014 2:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
thank you Calvin for your valuable info!

I was at the shop yesterday, I had noticed it various times before because it is a shop that sells..screws only! never seen anything like this before in any part of the world Wink

and yes, they also sell screws of sizes M1.4. M1.7, M2 asf., each with various lenghts, 2mm, 3mm asf..and with 4 different heads. Well, the M1.4 and M1.7, as far as I could see, only come with one kind of head. I only had bought two varieties to check out if they fit some lenses, just have not found the time to do that yet. Sure I shall be back to get more, see what I bought, M1.4 2mm long in black and M1.7 4mm long:


also found a very good JIS screwdriver


Calvin, what do you think about the heads?



cheers, andreas


PostPosted: Tue Apr 22, 2014 2:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
kuuan wrote:
screws with bigger diameter than 2mm but with different bitch


that didn't sound really good Very Happy


PostPosted: Tue Apr 22, 2014 2:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
No. These looks like pan head screws. You need something like this http://www.trfastenings.com/pages/Micro+countersunk+head+machine+screws+Recess+H .


PostPosted: Tue Apr 22, 2014 11:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
calvin83 wrote:
No. These looks like pan head screws. You need something like this http://www.trfastenings.com/pages/Micro+countersunk+head+machine+screws+Recess+H .


oh, ok! they had screws with these heads, but I think only at size M2 and onwards. I shall check again and at least get the M2 with these heads. which lenght do you think should be most useful? 4mm?


PostPosted: Tue Apr 22, 2014 11:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
kansalliskala wrote:
kuuan wrote:
screws with bigger diameter than 2mm but with different bitch


that didn't sound really good Very Happy


Laughing Laughing must have gotten that measurment wrong Wink


PostPosted: Wed Apr 23, 2014 2:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
The M2 screws are used on some of the Nikkors. I do not have any Nikon lenses but I guess you need something around 4mm+-0.5mm. M1.6 screws are much more widely used.


PostPosted: Wed Apr 23, 2014 2:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
calvin83 wrote:
The M2 screws are used on some of the Nikkors. I do not have any Nikon lenses but I guess you need something around 4mm+-0.5mm. M1.6 screws are much more widely used.


I just verified, the M1.7 I had bought e.g. are used for the mount on Pen-F lenses and that the heads of the ones I had bought would buldge out. I definitely will try to get M1.7 with the 'conical' head, 'flat head countersunk machine screw' as you correctly say. ( the one's I already bought 'can' be used to complete more of my Pen-F mount conversions to Leica M though. For the LTM>M mount adapter screwed on top of the original mount and the 4mm lenght is perfect, but the original screws are shorter and I'd think that 3mm lengh generally will be more useful. I can drill the hole on the adapter for the screw to sink enough for not bulding out ) - but as mentioned I believe that commonly shorter than 4mm will be more useful. If I find M1.7 with the 'conical' head I shall get 2mm, 3mm and 4mm long ones. I don't remember having seen M1.6, must check that again too

cheers, andreas


PostPosted: Wed Apr 23, 2014 10:39 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
You will need longer for M1.4 and M1.6 (4 or 6mm).


PostPosted: Fri Apr 25, 2014 3:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
have found 'small screws' in 4 different shops until now, but have never seen any M1.6. There were M1, M1.2, M1.4 and M1.7 only.
The screw speciality shop doesn't have any M1.7 with the countersunk flat head, only with the 'pan heads' Found that my 'new' old M-Rokkor lenses do use screws with these pan haeds though.
In another tool shop did find M1.4 with the countesunk flat head, 4 times more pricey though as they came in a bag with mixed lenghts and with 50% of them having pan heads again


PostPosted: Sun Apr 27, 2014 12:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
The screw size is not generally a problem to obtain, problem is the length. Lens makers often use long screws, say M1.6x15mm, which is impossible to find. So I've purchased precision tap & die set and manufacturing screws of required diameter as needed.

I've bought these two kits on amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GWK6Q3M/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004VSMEZ6/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

While they do look similar, in fact, they compliment each other.


PostPosted: Sun Apr 27, 2014 12:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Long screws are commonly found on zoom lenses. From what I know, most primes within 135mm will only use screws up to ~6mm.
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