expander screws for 13" SBL

The only thing special about the expander screws was that SBL hardened them(when they were sloted screws). In the later years they were changed to socket head cap screws.
Ted
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I just measured the expander screws on my Heavy 10. They are #8 x 32 measuring 1/2 inch from below the head, socket head cap screw. The end is flat not cone shaped. 

the cap screws actually pull the brass wedges up through the split in the bronze bearing to separate it and push the sides up against the cast iron walls. This frees up the spindle so it can turn. An opposing force of the bearing cap adjusted by shims pushes it all together. A real balancing act. 

That is why the length of the cap screws are important... too long and they will reach through the wedge and touch the spindle... to short and they strip out... we tried to cut down some machine screws to do the job but they just stripped out.... also I think they must be hardened.

If you can please take close up pics of the bottom of the head of the cap screw... I need to see if there is something special about it. Plus measure the thread length... so far I have that they are 8-32... with a 1/2" thread length.
ED S.

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