+jmazzy Posted January 22, 2019 Share Posted January 22, 2019 The chassis on both of my consoles are missing screws. I've looked around at Home Depot and hardware stores, but I'm not finding anything exactly like the original. I'm not a fastener expert, but these original screws seem to have an unusual dual-size coarse thread. I realize I could simply improvise with some type of similarly-sized sheet metal screw which would cut in and hold, but I'd much rather use a clean, exact match if possible. Anyone know where I can find some? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOME AUTOMATION Posted January 23, 2019 Share Posted January 23, 2019 Old carts! Where else? P.S. the release clips hold them closed quite well, all by themselves. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airshack Posted January 23, 2019 Share Posted January 23, 2019 (edited) You can also consider getting an extra 99/4A for parts. They're going for as low as $9.99 on shopgoodwill.com in working order. Edited January 23, 2019 by Airshack 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChildOfCv Posted January 23, 2019 Share Posted January 23, 2019 Perhaps it's a type B sheet metal screw? Probably #6 or #8. https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/hapages/zthab.php?clickkey=11590 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbmeeks Posted January 23, 2019 Share Posted January 23, 2019 You can also consider getting an extra 99/4A for parts. They're going for as low as $9.99 on shopgoodwill.com in working order. I love the fact that the fleaBay scalpers haven't latched on to the TI yet. I just bought my 7th TI-99/4A off eBay for $12 + $10.xx shipping. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+jmazzy Posted January 25, 2019 Author Share Posted January 25, 2019 Old carts! Where else? P.S. the release clips hold them closed quite well, all by themselves. You can also consider getting an extra 99/4A for parts. They're going for as low as $9.99 on shopgoodwill.com in working order. Thanks. I considered pulling screws from other equipment, but I'd prefer not to cannibalize any of my existing parts, and acquiring extra equipment for just for the screws wouldn't be worth it for me. Besides, I don't really have the heart to cannibalize any TI equipment. It hurts too much. I'm still searching. Slow-going, but it's a fun challenge, if nothing else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+jmazzy Posted January 25, 2019 Author Share Posted January 25, 2019 Perhaps it's a type B sheet metal screw? Probably #6 or #8. https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/hapages/zthab.php?clickkey=11590 Based on its thread type, the original chassis screws aren't conventional sheet metal screws. My research to date revealed a few things about the original screws: 1) They're what's knows as a "high low" thread. See illustration below. (Also, this PDF from Eisen describes the design in straightforward detail.) 2) The "high low" thread design is better for low-density materials like plastic and wood because it's less likely to crack or strip those materials. So it makes sense then that these screws fit into plastic holes in the TI console's chassis. Seems a smart design choice by Texas Instruments. 3) "High low" thread screws aren't very common in stores, except for large cement screws and anchoring screws which sometimes have a "high low" thread type, also. I'm going to contact Customer Support at BoltDepot.com tomorrow. Their website mentions they are a happy to help identify fasteners, and if they don't sell a particular fastener, they may know who does. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChildOfCv Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 Wow, I'd heard of type A (typical found in hardware stores and such) and type B (higher quality, denser thread pitch), but this is yet another type. I guess there's always something new... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbmeeks Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 If you manage to find them, I wonder if it would be worth buying a bunch and selling some batches? Perhaps we could chip in and save on shipping. I wouldn't mind having a few handfuls myself in case I need them. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+FarmerPotato Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 Wow, I am glad to learn about these. They look a bit like drywall screws. I can find Hi-Lo and Plastite #6 and #8 online in bulk for 3-5 cents apiece. Where bulk is 10,000. Whoa. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+helocast Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 (edited) If you manage to find them, I wonder if it would be worth buying a bunch and selling some batches? Perhaps we could chip in and save on shipping. I wouldn't mind having a few handfuls myself in case I need them. I don't see prices for anything less than 5K/10K bulk even on fastener sites assuming a low-tensile, #6/#8 1/2 inch. https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dtools&field-keywords=High+Low+Style+Thread+Forming+Screws These are about the best shots I can get: Edited January 25, 2019 by helocast 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Ksarul Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 I just ordered 250 that might work. If they do, I'll pass the data on, as I don't want to lead anyone astray. . . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+jmazzy Posted January 26, 2019 Author Share Posted January 26, 2019 Yes, I was thinking the same: I suspected other folks might need/want these screws, too, so if or when I actually found the right size, I was considering proposing some kind of group buy. As a few of you indicated, high low screws of this approximate size seem to be sold by wholesalers who require a minimum purchase of hundreds or thousands of pieces. Ksarul: I'd be very interested to see what you receive and how well they fit. Do you mind if I ask what the cost was for 250 pieces? I'll continue to dig around also. BTW, I did contact BoltDepot.com today, but they don't carry high low. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+jmazzy Posted January 26, 2019 Author Share Posted January 26, 2019 I don't see prices for anything less than 5K/10K bulk even on fastener sites assuming a low-tensile, #6/#8 1/2 inch. https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dtools&field-keywords=High+Low+Style+Thread+Forming+Screws These are about the best shots I can get: It's been challenging for me to get good photos that indicate proper size, but yours are great shots. Thanks for sharing them. I also decided to take this a step further and bought a digital caliper on Amazon today. Should help me to get precision measurements of the original screws. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Ksarul Posted January 26, 2019 Share Posted January 26, 2019 (edited) The ones I bought were $35, including shipping. They also require a Torx bit. . . Edited January 26, 2019 by Ksarul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+jmazzy Posted March 6, 2019 Author Share Posted March 6, 2019 So I did substantial additional research on screw measurements and lingo. I also finally measured the TI's original chassis screws using my new digital caliper. These are my findings on the original chassis screws: -pan head, phillips, high-low thread -head diameter: 5.3mm (or .209” aka #4) -head height: 1.95mm -thread (major) diameter: 3mm (or 15/128” or .118” aka #5) -root (minor) diameter: 1.6mm -length: 12mm or .47” (~1/2”) -thread pitch (distance between adjacent threads): ~1mm -threads per inch (TPI): 20 I also found a wholesaler with a detailed fastener product website. I called them, and the salesperson was kind enough to send me 2 dozen screws for testing. I believe I've found a near-perfect match! (See photo.) Just for good measure, I've reached out to a couple of other folks to have them test these, too, but I'm about 99% sure they match just fine. Assuming these new screws are confirmed a match, I'm happy to share some with anyone who might need or want them. (The cost would simply be 5 cents per screw + USPS shipping. Note I'm not looking to make any profit here. I'd simply like to make these easily available to other TI enthusiasts, since it was so challenging to accurately identify the size and then subsequently find a good wholesale source.) To gauge interest, feel free to share your thoughts on whether you would like some and what quantities might make sense. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Ksarul Posted March 6, 2019 Share Posted March 6, 2019 Those definitely look like they will fit the need. The ones I bought are a bit too thin for the purpose--but they look like they might be perfect for the three screws needed in one of the Guidry 3D-prinited cartridge cases, so my funds weren't wasted on the project. I could definitely use at least 100 of the right console screws though, as I never know when I'll need some of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+jmazzy Posted November 11, 2019 Author Share Posted November 11, 2019 On 3/5/2019 at 7:19 PM, jmazzy said: I also found a wholesaler with a detailed fastener product website. I called them, and the salesperson was kind enough to send me 2 dozen screws for testing. I believe I've found a near-perfect match! (See photo.) Just for good measure, I've reached out to a couple of other folks to have them test these, too, but I'm about 99% sure they match just fine. Ksarul and I confirmed the fit of the sample TI chassis screws I received. They do fit perfectly so I finally got around to ordering a bunch last month. To make these screws easier for enthusiasts to find and access in the future, I've shipped most of them off to arcadeshopper, and he has made them available here at arcadeshopper.com. 5 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Ksarul Posted November 5, 2021 Share Posted November 5, 2021 I can confirm that these case screws work great for the console and for TI cartridge cases. The story is a little different if you use the three-screw 3D-printed cartridge case designed by @acadiel. The screws for those cases need to be a little thinner--but the use of hi-lo threads is definitely recommended. I recently found some that work perfectly, so I figured they needed to be referenced in this replacement screw thread. They are #4-23 x 1/2 Phillips-head black screws. The seller has them in 100 and 1,000 quantity lots, and the price is very reasonable. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Ksarul Posted November 28, 2021 Share Posted November 28, 2021 On 11/4/2021 at 8:42 PM, Ksarul said: I can confirm that these case screws work great for the console and for TI cartridge cases. The story is a little different if you use the three-screw 3D-printed cartridge case designed by @acadiel. The screws for those cases need to be a little thinner--but the use of hi-lo threads is definitely recommended. I recently found some that work perfectly, so I figured they needed to be referenced in this replacement screw thread. They are #4-23 x 1/2 Phillips-head black screws. The seller has them in 100 and 1,000 quantity lots, and the price is very reasonable. These screws work so well with the Guidry cartridge cases that I bought a few thousand of them to ensure I had a permanent stock of them on-hand. . . 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+arcadeshopper Posted November 29, 2021 Share Posted November 29, 2021 I have them in stock at arcadeshopper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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