XA/XB Screw Headshell Screw size

[ddarch]

Hi all,

I am fortunate to have a large stash of stock and accumulated AR XA/XB screws...however, someone emailed today asking the actual screw size for the XA/XB headshell. I have to admit, I have no idea!

So, what is the size WITH the brass insert, and WITHOUT the brass insert?

D

[pogo]

4-40 fits the brass inserts in my XB shell. I gave up on the non inserted shell and just drilled through, so I don't know about it. Don't know why it would be different, but I don't know that it isn't.

[hammmer]

I went and got some #4-40 but they do not fit. seem a little big.. maybe is there #3-40 ?

[pogo]

I went and got some #4-40 but they do not fit. seem a little big.. maybe is there #3-40 ?

Actually the screw I used to check it was kind of tight in my 4-40 gage, but worked fine in the brass inserts.

There's a 3-48. I tried one and it would probably work with care but it's clearly sloppy in my inserts. 4-40 seemed perfect.

Whether you can find #3 screws locally is another matter. I managed to pull one of the inserts out (again) while checking this. IMHO one of the better mods that can be done to an XA/XB headshell is to drill it out and make it through bolted.

Good luck.

[gkimeng]

There's a 3-48. I tried one and it would probably work with care but it's clearly sloppy in my inserts. 4-40 seemed perfect.

3-48 was very common back in the pre-metric vintage audio days, and 4-48 was used in lot of older players with heavy cast arms.

[pogo]

There's a 3-48. I tried one and it would probably work with care but it's clearly sloppy in my inserts. 4-40 seemed perfect.

3-48 was very common back in the pre-metric vintage audio days, and 4-48 was used in lot of older players with heavy cast arms.

If by pre-metric you mean made in the US or made for the US, maybe. Dunno.
3-48 is what I use for all my through bolted cartridge mounts, but they're still not readily available at the local hardware store.

[gkimeng]

If by pre-metric you mean made in the US or made for the US, maybe. Dunno.
3-48 is what I use for all my through bolted cartridge mounts, but they're still not readily available at the local hardware store.

I mean any turntable that doesn't use metric fasteners, which I think they all do now.

I don't usually see either 3-48 or 4-48 at my local store either.

[hammmer]

I have been out looking for #3's, they are hard to fine. I will give the 4-40 another try, i didn't want to force it but maybe thats all it will need. I was afraid of twisting the brass insert and snaping the plastic that holds it. I'm not ready to drill out the head shell yet, holding out for the perfect screw to mount my V15 III

thanks to all for the info, keep it coming.

hammmer

[hammmer]

I tried the 4-40 again, it just will not fit..
anybody got a pair long enough to fit a v15 III for sale?
thanks

[pogo]

I tried the 4-40 again, it just will not fit..
anybody got a pair long enough to fit a v15 III for sale?
thanks

hammmer, I'm curious if you ever found something that worked, and what it turned out to be?

[hammmer]

Sorry for the delay in replying, but i didn't have an answer till now.

I found a company called Fastenal (google it) that you can get them from. The size that fits my Ar ax headshell with the brass inserts is #3-48. They fit perfectly, i just picked up the order.
Fastenal has stores in canada and US. most don't stock this size but can order them in for you. I bought , 10 of each size from 1/8" right up to and including 3/4 inch. so that is 8 sizes, 80 screws and also bought 80 nuts for them just to be able to use them to mount regular cartridges in regular headshells. These are s/s philips pan heads.
All for less than people are charging on ebay for 8 screws.

Hope someone gets use of this information. i appreciate the help i was given.
thanks
hammer

[pogo]

Sorry for the delay in replying, but i didn't have an answer till now.

I found a company called Fastenal (google it) that you can get them from. The size that fits my Ar ax headshell with the brass inserts is #3-48. They fit perfectly, i just picked up the order.
Fastenal has stores in canada and US. most don't stock this size but can order them in for you. I bought , 10 of each size from 1/8" right up to and including 3/4 inch. so that is 8 sizes, 80 screws and also bought 80 nuts for them just to be able to use them to mount regular cartridges in regular headshells. These are s/s philips pan heads.
All for less than people are charging on ebay for 8 screws.

Hope someone gets use of this information. i appreciate the help i was given.
thanks
hammer

Now I'm embarrassed that I didn't mention fastenal to you. I keep them bookmarked. The only source for fasteners. Glad it worked out, but I'm still puzzled about it.