I need a 1/8”-44 nf socket head cap screw or….

[Roger Feeley]

As time passes, my hand tremors get worse. My latest challenge is replacing the needle in my sewing machine. The machine screw is 1/8x44 nf which seems to be unique to sewing machines. Also called a “needle screw”. My problem is that it’s a slotted head screw and the screwdriver tends to come out while I’m fiddling with the needle.

my first thought was to get a socket head screw so I could use an Allen wrench. I’m darned if I can find a socket screw that size.

An alternative would be to make a special screwdriver with a brass sleeve around the blade that would help me keep the driver in place.

Another idea would be to just machine my own screw. I don’t have the means to cut the threads so I would need to find a 1/8”-44 die.

Right now, I’m liking the custom screwdriver idea.

im open to suggestions…

[Paul F Franklin]

Could you glue or weld a small washer into the screw slot to turn it into a thumbscrew? Not being a sewer, I don't know if clearance is an issue...

[Ed Aumiller]

there are screwdrivers you can use to hold it while you position and start it.. here is a link to one...

https://quickwedge.com/3-16x6-screw-holding-screwdriver-1836-1836e/?_vsrefdom=adwords&msclkid=f204598748a114ef6911384b80f06fdc&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=**LP%20Shop%20-%20Screw%20Holding%20Screwdrivers%20(Low)&utm_term=4585856841190719&utm_content=1083%20%7C%203%2F16%22x6%22%20Screw-Holding%20Screwdriver%201836,%201836E%20%7C%20%241 2.86

if you search for "straight slot screw holder" you will find others...

https://www.bing.com/search?q=straight+slot+screw+holder&qs=HS&pq=stra&sc=8-4&cvid=077EAAD3C6664100BEE6972C86307620&FORM=QBLH&sp=1

I know Klein makes one also..

Good luck..

[Jim Koepke]

That is an odd size. The shaft designation on most American screws use numbers up to a size 12. Is there any possibility of it being a metric thread?

One of my thoughts was using a screw holding screwdriver. Some of them might not be strong enough to hold with hand tremors. My dad used to have one with flat springs on the side that would hang on real tight. So tight one had to make sure to release them before fully seating a screw and trapping the holder.

Another thought is to carefully file the screw head into a hexagon so a small socket could be used to hold the screw.

Is this a screw for which a replacement can be purchased through sewing machine supply stores?

Wow, just looking online it looks like it is important to know the brand since every sewing machine seems to have a different screw thread. It also seems none of them say anything about the thread pitch.

jtk

[Ronald Blue]

This might work Roger. By my research a #5 is .125 diameter. McMaster Carr has them in allen head. Here's a link.

https://www.mcmaster.com/screws/socket-head-screws/thread-size~5-44/

[Roger Feeley]

All,
This is indeed a weird size but seems to be some sort of standard among sewing machine manufacturers. They call these things “needle screws”.

[Scott Clausen]

Tremors are a pain. I don't have much trouble with screws but I feel like I have an audience when I attempt to eat scrabbled eggs.

[Ronald Blue]

All,
This is indeed a weird size but seems to be some sort of standard among sewing machine manufacturers. They call these things “needle screws”.

The #5 x 44 isn't correct? The one I linked is 44 tpi. #5 is .1236 by this chart.

https://i.stack.imgur.com/ebiE0.png

[michael langman]

The thread that Ron listed is the correct size. %-44 is a standard #5 fine thread size.

Roger, If you find a 5-44 threaded bolt online it will be the correct bolt. The major diameter is listed as .1195 to .1243 for a c;ass 2a fit.

[michael langman]

Roger, I just searched for a 5-44 bolt online and came up with numerous choices with a socket head cap screw. Amazon has them.

You may even find one at the hardware store.

[Roger Feeley]

I ordered some 5-44 screws. Thanks!

[Mike Cutler]

Roger

5-44 is more than likely correct. Juki, Consew, Brother, all have a #5 NC(40tpi) or NF(44tpi) needle setscrew. You probably found that your presser foot setscrew was just a little bit to big. My Consew 230 uses a #5-NC(40tpi).
I have seen a needle setscrew with a wing nut tacked onto it for pretty much the same issue you are dealing with.

Right now I'm looking for a #5(NC), partially threaded screw, about 3/4" long, to adapt a walking foot attachment to my Consew.
Thank you for the timely thread.;)

[Kev Williams]

What will work to get the screw in place as is, superglue the screw to the screwdriver. The driver will just pop right off when you're done...

[Bill Dufour]

use a short piece of drinking straw, or clear rubber hose slipped over the screw driver tip as a guide.
I should buy a box pox plastic straws before they get banned here. They will soon be gone in restaurants, paper only. It has been illegal for several years for them to give you a straw before you ask for one.
Bill D.

[Roger Feeley]

What will work to get the screw in place as is, superglue the screw to the screwdriver. The driver will just pop right off when you're done...

Kev,
in normal use, the needle screw is never removed. You loosen it to remove the old needle and tighten it to hold the new needle.
that’s why a hex cap screw and a ball end driver would work so well.

I contacted Sailrite (manufacturer) and they weren’t much help. I got a response that they use a slotted screw because they didn’t want the user to apply a lot of torque. That strikes me as kind of silly. The diameter of the screwdriver handle has a lot more effect on torque and the screws supplied with the machine is fairly large. If I find a cap screw, I will get a little Wiha ball end driver to limit torque more effectively than the supplied driver and screw.

I know Im spending way too much time and money on this teeny tiny problem. This has become a quest for me. I must conquer this!!

[Jim Koepke]

I know Im spending way too much time and money on this teeny tiny problem. This has become a quest for me. I must conquer this!!

If the quest is worthy, (at least in the heart, soul and mind of one on a quest) neither the spending of time nor money is a great sacrifice. Conquering the difficulty is worth all.

jtk

[Stan Calow]

assuming you've already checked with sewing machine repair shops? This one has been helpful with parts: https://mosew.com

[Bill Dufour]

Regarding the tubing or straw slipped over the tip. If needed slit the tube length wise and tape it or heatshrink tube it down to a smaller diameter.
Bill D.

[Roger Feeley]

assuming you've already checked with sewing machine repair shops? This one has been helpful with parts: https://mosew.com
Stan,

Too funny! I lived in Overland Park for almost forty years. I know those folks well. Before the Sailrite, I had my mother-in-laws old Montgomery Ward machine from the ‘70s. Missouri Sewing Machine kept that thing running.

[Roger Feeley]

Thanks to all that replied. I’m still going to pursue the socket cap screw because I just can’t admit defeat.

yesterday, I sacrificed a cheap screwdriver to the cause. I cut the shaft off the handle and turned the blade so it was cylindrical and matched the shaft diameter. Then I drilled a nice slip fit hole down the center of some 3/8” brass. I counterbored the end to match the screw diameter. Two set screws hold the sleeve on. I got rid of the handle so the shaft would fit in my little Sherline lathe. Not having the handle serves to limit torque.

It works just fine. I get a better feel for the torque than I did with the supplied screwdriver. So my solution solves for the torque issue better than Sailrite’s.

I don’t know why Sailrite was so unhelpful. They have a reputation for stellar customer service and all my interactions with them have been fantastic.

470852

[Ronald Blue]

Looks like a good solution until you get the Allen head screws Roger. Nice shop project too.

[Dwayne Watt]

McMaster-Carr catalog show #5-44 socket head screws of all sorts. #5 is 1/8".

[Jim Koepke]

I don’t know why Sailrite was so unhelpful. They have a reputation for stellar customer service and all my interactions with them have been fantastic.

Sometimes the customer service people do not understand the situation as clearly as the person experiencing the difficulty.

With the aging of the sewing machine using demographic, they might benefit from a letter or email explaining the problem for people with hand tremors and your solutions.

jtk

[Ron Selzer]

like your solution
wonder if a drop of hot glue on screwdriver tip would work
Ron

[Ronald Blue]

McMaster-Carr catalog show #5-44 socket head screws of all sorts. #5 is 1/8".

If you read back through the posts you will see this was covered. Post #5 actually. However "great mind think alike". Or fools never differ. One of those works. Happy New Year.

[Roger Feeley]

like your solution
wonder if a drop of hot glue on screwdriver tip would work
Ron
Hot glue on a screw would be fine for an installation. But the needle screw is loosened every time you change needles which is fairly often. I change thread from very light to very heavy and you use different size needles for different weights. This is not entirely dissimilar to changing bits in a drill press.

[Roger Feeley]

HA!
THE 5-44 cap head screw worked and will very neatly solve my problem. Thanks to all for putting me on the right track.

[Ronald Blue]

HA!
THE 5-44 cap head screw worked and will very neatly solve my problem. Thanks to all for putting me on the right track.


Super! Glad that it was the answer to your issue. A thread about thread with a happy conclusion.

[Jim Koepke]

Super! Glad that it was the answer to your issue. A thread about thread with a happy conclusion.

Yep, sure beats a sharpening thread, those never seem to have a happy conclusion.

jtk

[Ronald Blue]

Yep, sure beats a sharpening thread, those never seem to have a happy conclusion.

jtk

Those tend to be gritty and abrasive.