MM Lightning Coverplate Screws

[Deleted]

Hi,

Will these fit the Lightning?

www.stewmac.com/parts-and-hardware/all-hardware-and-parts-by-instrument/resonator-guitar-parts/screws-for-coverplates/




Thanks

[pete1951]

I would expect the StewMac screws to be ‘imperial ‘ rather than metric so I would think not. I’m sure someone on the forum will know for sure.
Pete

I think I have some spare, and I would think Michael M has a stock . Will have a look in my spares box tomorrow

[Michael Messer]

I have only just seen this thread. PM me your address and I will send you some screws.

I have a question - what happened to the screws that should be there?

Shine On
Michael

[pete1951]

It would be good to know the size of the thread. I need to put a thread in the hole of the Fiddle edge Dobro and don’t have a tap the right size . I guess it’s an M1?.
Pete.
I have a few screws

[Michael Messer]

Pete, the screw holes are tapped with a 2.5mm hole.

If you ever have questions about screws or other components they sell, or need to buy a particular size screw, contact www.accu.co.uk and speak to their component specialist, Albert Balkartat. They are lovely people and so helpful. As well as lots of informative advice, I got the Fiddle Edge tension screws from Accu and sent them to my guys in Shanghai to use in the guitars. Talk about coals to Newcastle!

Shine On
Michael

[Deleted]

Thanks for the replies.

Some of the screws had oxidised. I experimented with my own-made cleaning fluid, which cleaned the Lightning well, but left a slight "dew", which affected the screws.

I've now solved the problem by soaking the screws overnight in apple cider vinegar, which has dissolved the rust, drying them, and re-screwing them.

I'll stick to cleaning the guitar with La Tromba in future (just finished and it looks great again).

[Michael Messer]

La Tromba RULES!

If you do decide that you would like a new set of screws, just send me your address. I don't want any money for them, just happy to help out.

Shine On
Michael

[snakehips]

Hi there !

I changed the MM Fiddle-Edge coverplate screws with 3-48 slotted domed screws - and they were a perfect fit. They also fit perfectly my NRP Tricone, and 12-fret vintage Nationals that use sheet metal screws (NB. not the self-tappng, pointed ones that National used later on).

I got mine from McMaster-Carr in the USA.

I therefore assumed MM went for vintage Imperial style 3-48 screw thread ??

[Michael Messer]

Hi Richard,

3-48 screws are 2.515mm. I wanted to go with Imperial but it became too complicated for my manufacturer. I was advised by those that know, to use 2.5 which would be fine if replaced with Imperial screws.

The whole project was so complicated and there were numerous hurdles at every stage of the journey, that I was just happy to get it over the line. Implants and root canals are child's play compared to building a Fiddle Edge Dobro!

Shine On
Michael

[snakehips]

Ha ha !!!!!

Going for 3-48 screws, nickel-plated, with domed, slotted heads would just be one thing too many to try & insist upon !!
I know, having done a fair bit of research myself, trying to find replacement screws.
The ones I got are stainless steel - so colour-wise, they are not perfect, BUT not too bad (not as obvious, for example, as having a chrome-plated tailpiece on a nickel-plated reso guitar !). I have one on my 1932 National Style N guitar, which has the hooks coverplate - and thus only need ONE screw, under the strings (closest to the fretboard extension) - and my picking hand obscures the view of it !

So, would Metric 2.5mm screws be OK to use on vintage Nationals ?
It's not just the diameter of the screws, but the number of screw-threads per unit length that is important.
Do you know what threads per length your screws are ? Must be v similar to the Imperial 3-48 screws National used.