Miniature cotter pins

[Geartooth]

The plans for the engine I am now building has several places that a cotter pin will be used. The cross hole in the shafts is only .036 diameter. Is there a source for very small hardware.

I tried making some by grinding paper clip wire to a semi-circle cross section and, with practice, they could work.

I also made a small shaft drilling fixture that works very well to add the cross holes. The combination clamp screw/drill guide does the trick. The adjustable end stop is a plus.

 

[Mark Rand]

1/32" split pins should be available even if not common. However, a taper pin might be a better solution than a split pin unless wide tolerances are actually desirable.

Regards
Mark

 

[GailInNM]

Half round wire is a very common item for jewelers and hobby bead persons. Available in stainless steel, bronze and sterling silver and probably other metals and low cost. You probably would want 20 gauge which is 0.032 diameter. Easy to form by hand for just a few or build a simple bending fixture for a bunch.

Just search for half round wire. Here is a link to one of many Amazon listings.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002PS93Y4/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Gail in NM

 

[GailInNM]

Just did a quick search for 1/32 cotter pins and there were lots of hits. Amazon has lots is both SS and carbon steel. Here are two links for 1/2 inch long ones -- one SS and one carbon steel.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001P1X884/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001P20L2E/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Gail in NM

 

[Geartooth]

Thanks for the suggestions. I should have asked a more specific question. Is there a source for all types of miniature hardware? I would like to find small quantities of threaded fasteners size 2 and smaller, very small gears/ chain sprockets, etc.

I have a catalog from Micro-Mark that sells lots of miniature tools, but only limited hardware.

 

[RonGinger]

There was a company called Small Parts Inc, but Amazon bought them and all, or some, of their stock was rolled into Amazon. It is getting to the point that Amazon is the only source for anything.

McMaster-Carr does have a huge inventory and will sell small quantities. I generally use them for any hardware purchase. They do not have a lot of very small parts.

For small cotter pins you will find that the new standards make the head of the pin a heart shape for ease of holding them. That may make normal use easier but ruins them for scale models.

 

[GailInNM]

Like Ron said, one of the best sources was Small Parts. After Amazon bought them many of the many of the item became "currently unavailable" which is Amazon speak for we still catalog them but you will never see them again from us.


Here are some of my favorite suppliers.

http://www.americanmodeleng.com/
A two person company that has been around for 30 years. Good for scale head size screws down to 0-80 and some steam fittings. Make most everything them in house. Superb service and all around good people. Small quantities.

http://www.microfasteners.com/
Good selection of screws in a variety of styles down to 0-80. Good product quality and small quantities. Fair pricing. Almost always same day shipping.

http://www.mcmaster.com
Huge selection of hardware down to 0-80. Not always the best price but they often have things that are difficult to find elsewhere. Good service.

https://jimorrisco.com/
An industry leader for many years. Normal smallest package is 1 gross (144) but fair pricing. They show sizes down to 0000-160 but in reality don't expect anything below 000-120. Good service.

http://www.avidrc.com/
Great source for small ball bearings down to 1mm id. They stock both metric and inch ball bearings and many of them are $1.00 each. Great service - always same day shipping by first class mail for me. I have used many bearing from them without any problems.

Gail in NM

 

[Geartooth]

Thank you, I will keep that information. My "want" list is getting bigger now.