Posted by Sherman in Idaho [108.162.246.66] on Wednesday, December 14, 2016 at 00:34:33 :
In Reply to: why special screws/ posted by scott56 [199.27.128.153] on Tuesday, December 13, 2016 at 18:46:05 :
I believe they are essentially sheet metal screws with the point clipped off (or made that way). Most common sheet metal screws are 10 TPI. Spring type clip nuts are made to fit sheet metal screws. The ones that are made to fit machine screws usually have a machined nut welded in. The totally stamped kind fit sheet metal screw threads nicely, although you can sometimes force certain sizes of machine screws into them.
Whether these particular screws were a custom part or standard product at the time, I wouldn't know. But I suspect you could find a hex-head sheet metal screw (#12 metal roofing screw?) that has the right diameter and pitch, and then grind the point off of it.
Follow Ups: