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Thread: what size flathead screw for a 1920 F2 pickguard clamp

  1. #1
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    Default what size flathead screw for a 1920 F2 pickguard clamp

    Friends, Can anyone point me to what and where for the correct period replacement screw (I don't know if 'flathead is correct - probably slot head is better term since the screw is rounded)??Click image for larger version. 

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  2. #2
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    Default Re: what size flathead screw for a 1920 F2 pickguard clamp

    That is a "round head wood screw" with a "slotted head." I believe the size is #3 x 3/16".

    The old Gibson screws were nickel plated. An exact replacement might be hard to find; nickel plated screws are no longer in common use. A similar screw in brass would work, though. If you can't find 3/16", 1/4" will work. Nobody will know the difference unless they take the clamp off.

    Check a very old-fashioned hardware store if you can find one. There's a chance that Ace Hardware might have one in their bins, but I wouldn't count on it.

    You will need a thread diameter of ~.100", +/- perhaps .003".
    .090" would be too small, .110" too large.

    You could call Stew-mac and ask them what the thread diameter of their #3340 screw is. It might be too small, but it's worth a phone call.
    Last edited by rcc56; Aug-18-2019 at 3:52pm.

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    Formerly F5JOURNL Darryl Wolfe's Avatar
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    Default Re: what size flathead screw for a 1920 F2 pickguard clamp

    I have found Bolt Depot to be very useful for certain odd screws that are hard to find. Unfortunately, 1/4" is what they offer here. They have #2 also This is one of the few places I've found that has many #3 screws available. Unfortunately only in brass

    https://www.boltdepot.com/Product-De...x?product=8098

    Silversmith from EZ-Way restoration products will provide a nickel silver look in 3 seconds

    FWIW, this post is worth about a day's worth of searching the internet effort on these two items. My initial search was for the correct screw for Loar pickguards. Bolt Depot has most anything for an old Gibson
    Darryl G. Wolfe, The F5 Journal
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    Default Re: what size flathead screw for a 1920 F2 pickguard clamp

    Quote Originally Posted by Darryl Wolfe View Post
    Silversmith from EZ-Way restoration products will provide a nickel silver look in 3 seconds
    Would that be this product (Silverplater)? If so that makes my day. That would resolve some real issues for me.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
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    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
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    Default Re: what size flathead screw for a 1920 F2 pickguard clamp

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton View Post
    Would that be this product (Silverplater)? If so that makes my day. That would resolve some real issues for me.
    No, same company, but you have to look a bit harder on their site to find the silversmith. It contains a small dose of sodium cyanide that makes it work much better. Sometimes you have to call them to get it. Sometime you have to claim to be with a company, sometimes they don't ask
    Darryl G. Wolfe, The F5 Journal
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    Formerly F5JOURNL Darryl Wolfe's Avatar
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    Default Re: what size flathead screw for a 1920 F2 pickguard clamp

    I'm not seeing it. I would call and order it. I just got some 4 months ago
    Darryl G. Wolfe, The F5 Journal
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    Default Re: what size flathead screw for a 1920 F2 pickguard clamp

    NFI but if you can't place a direct phone order it appears to be in stock at Caswell Plating - https://www.caswellplating.com/elect...ith-4-oz.html#

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    Default Re: what size flathead screw for a 1920 F2 pickguard clamp

    Quote Originally Posted by Darryl Wolfe View Post
    I'm not seeing it. I would call and order it. I just got some 4 months ago
    OK, I'll give them a call, thanks.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

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    Default Re: what size flathead screw for a 1920 F2 pickguard clamp

    Quote Originally Posted by WaxwellHaus View Post
    NFI but if you can't place a direct phone order it appears to be in stock at Caswell Plating - https://www.caswellplating.com/elect...ith-4-oz.html#
    SILVERSMITH contains cyanide and can only be sold to businesses.
    OK, that might be why it isn't on the website.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

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    Default Re: what size flathead screw for a 1920 F2 pickguard clamp

    I feel like I owe you an apology. I had read the product description only up to "SILVERSMITH contains cyanide" and, having verified that it was the correct product, rushed back here to share the information without reading the 7 most important words on the page - "and can only be sold to businesses"

  14. #11
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    Default Re: what size flathead screw for a 1920 F2 pickguard clamp

    No apology needed, you found the product and that's what I needed. Thanks.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

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    Registered User slimt's Avatar
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    Default Re: what size flathead screw for a 1920 F2 pickguard clamp

    Harmony Guitars had those tiny screws holding the truss rod covers on I used those for my A4 guard clamp

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    Formerly F5JOURNL Darryl Wolfe's Avatar
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    Default Re: what size flathead screw for a 1920 F2 pickguard clamp

    To further clarify, I have not had much trouble obtaining it. I just say I'm The F5 Journal and I make mandolin and guitar parts. It contains 1.5% Sodium Cyanide. The formula still works well, but not quite as good as it did in the 90's.

    You can take a small glass custard type bowl and usually do 10-12 nuts, or screws, washers or rods (think pickguards) and just swirl them around in say 1/8" of the solution and then dispose of and rinse with water

    Click image for larger version. 

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    Darryl G. Wolfe, The F5 Journal
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  17. #14

    Default Re: what size flathead screw for a 1920 F2 pickguard clamp

    Perhaps a less dangerous and more accurate solution is electroless nickel (q.v.) also available in kits. As the screws originally were probably nickel plate, and the surface finish is adjustable from matte to shiny, this may be an option. Electroless nickel is also, not that it matters here, quite hard and durable. The silver restoration products I’ve tried, (one or two) have been very slow in terms of deposition thickness, and fragile to boot.
    Side story: I was a researcher at the then National Bureau of Standards, where one version was rediscovered just post-War, and was therefore used in demonstrations for visiting HS classes. A friend was doing a demo on acorns, which didn’t impress a bunch of prep-school entitles as I remember. One of them even had the temerity to ask if the demonstrator was bored “plating acorns day after day after day?” Twit.

  18. #15
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: what size flathead screw for a 1920 F2 pickguard clamp

    Or they could just buy them in nickel here. NFI and no experience with the seller.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

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