Screw Challenge: 12-32 about 1" long

[Chris Padilla]

So one of my wife's pans came apart at the handle.

After some investigation, I discovered it was held on by a single pan-head machine screw size #12 and a tpi of 32. It is 3/4" long.

I've further come to find out that this is a REALLY oddball sized screw!

The threads on the pan stripped out but if I can find a slightly LONGER screw (an inch would be great), I'm back in business as I can grab the threads below the ones that stripped out.

Failing to find this screw that near as I can tell DOES NOT EXIST, I am thinking to retap it to something more common like 1/4-28 as it appears that there should be enough meat to cut >60% threads with the current hole/thread size.

So anyone have a 12-32 pan-head machine screw about an inch long laying around?

Spending more than a few dollars to fix this thing isn't worth it even though I did find a tap&die for 12-32...for about $25.

[Adam Herman]

mcmaster does not even list that size!

the only place i have seen a 12-32 is holding the stock on some guns.

http://www.diproductsinc.com/Detail.aspx?PROD=718013

are you sure its not a m5 ? m5 has a pitch of .8 mm which is very very close to 32 tpi and 5mm is just under a #12 for dia.



edit: http://www.mcmaster.com/#machine-screws/=13u74aa m5 x 25 mm may work. stainless even!

[Chris Padilla]

I have a nice set of "thread checkers" for both metric and SAE and I tried all the metric ones and they just don't work. 12-32 on my thread checker does work.

I'll have another go at it tonight and double-check things, however. I'd love to be wrong here.

So 0.8 mm = 0.0315 in which is darn close to 0.03125 (1/32).

And 5 mm = 0.1969" which is darn close to 0.21" (#12 size).

Cool. I hope I'm wrong!!!

[Izzy Camire]

Chris, I have some #12 screws let me check tonight and see exactly what I have.

[Kev Williams]

http://www.diproductsinc.com/Detail.aspx?PROD=718013 <speaking of guns

[Chris Padilla]

Izzy-->cool, thanks!

Kev-->nice! out the door is about $12 but let's hope I have a metric screw here as Adam suggested!

[Charles Wiggins]

Chris,

Given what you're saying, I'd probably re-tap, but if you want to pursue it, my first stop would be Bolts & Nuts, Inc. in Asheville. (828) 274-7683. I've never had a request they couldn't fill.

Charles

[Matt Day]

Sometimes a call to the pros is what's needed. I once had an oddball bearing with both metric AND SAE sizing which took a while to figure out.

[Bruce Page]

12-32 UNEF (extra fine) is the real deal. Finding a pan head screw that size won't be easy. You might try a 10-32 UNF and some J-B Weld as a thread filler. It might work if you have enough thread engagement.

Or, you could buy her a new pan..

[Chris Padilla]

It is an M5 x 0.8! I missed it the first time through. The bolt fits fine in the 12-32 checker but is quite wobbly.

Anyway, much ado about nothing. I'll pick up what I need at the local hardware store.

[Bill Orbine]

It is an M5 x 0.8! I missed it the first time through. The bolt fits fine in the 12-32 checker but is quite wobbly.

Anyway, much ado about nothing. I'll pick up what I need at the local hardware store.

Quite wobbly??? Got any Loctite put a couple dabs on?