Eclipse 20T hacksaw retaining bolt size?

[Chris101]

Like a bus, nothing for ages then turn up all at once.
I lent my hacksaw to someone and it came back missing the top handle nut that allows you to vary the blade size. Does anyone know the size, Tpi, a link to a replacement? I don't mind buying one just can't face trawling through websites to find the size. Hoping someone knows what I need.
Thanks chaps
Chris

 

[Doug]

M5 Chris I’ve lost mine a few times tends to come loose in the van

 

[Trevanion]

I would've thought it to be metric, it looks like possibly an M6 but that's purely a guess.

One thing that has been a godsend in the past has been the engineering workshop on the local industrial estate that also acts as a bit of a general store / nut and bolt emporium, you can walk in with something like this and they'll help you out, spend five minutes finding the right screw and only charge you 20 pence despite it probably costing them well over £1 in time to sort it :lol:

There must be something similar near you?

Edit: Doug beat me to it, with firsthand experience which trumps my guess.

 

[Lons]

I have an Eclipse 40 something Chris, I'll have a look tomorrow as it might be the same bolt. Mine has a flat top bar though where yours looks round.

If you can't get one an easy substitute would be drill it out and use a bolt and wingnut instead.

 

[Chris101]

Thanks fellas! Legends.

 

[Woodbloke]

I had to buy an Eclipse hack saw like that as part of my apprenticeship tool kit in 1967; I used it the other day and still use all the other kit from that era, all of which is racked out in the 'shop - Rob

 

[Lons]

Hi Chris

The stud on yours might be longer due to the round shaft but this is mine. I tried an M5 machine screw in mine and it stared but wasn't a perfect fit, I think it would cut a thread fairly easily though had I used a screwdriver.

 

[AndyT]

Chris, I just checked mine, which looks the same age as yours (1980s) and it's definitely 3/16" Whitworth.



It's an odd design with a plain tip but it doesn't need to be to work ok.

I've got several suitable screws that size. PM me your address and I'll pop one in the post.

 

[Doug]

Hi Chris

The stud on yours might be longer due to the round shaft but this is mine. I tried an M5 machine screw in mine and it stared but wasn't a perfect fit, I think it would cut a thread fairly easily though had I used a screwdriver.

That's an older model Bob my dad had one of those, mines exactly the same as in Chris’s photo & a M5 goes in with just my fingers.

 

[Chris101]

Thank you chaps. I did also on the other site because I wasn't sure it would get any attention as a thread. Shows I've been away from woodworkers for too long! It was suggested there that an m4 thread would work and I popped on eBay and bought one for a quid delivered. The shed is not what it was, lots of bits have been put away in boxes and stored safely that would have allowed me to use taps etc.
It seems that I might have been hasty as opinions differ slightly on here. Thank you all for your replies and efforts especially Lons and Andy T for going above and beyond.
Since the M4 hex is already ordered, I'll wait to see if it fits, if not I would be very glad to take you up on your kind offer Andy.
Thank you all, as always for your help and kindness.
Chris

And as Doug has just replied as I type, I'm going to live a little and throw another pound at at an M5 bolt off eBay.

 

[Lons]

Hi Chris

The stud on yours might be longer due to the round shaft but this is mine. I tried an M5 machine screw in mine and it stared but wasn't a perfect fit, I think it would cut a thread fairly easily though had I used a screwdriver.

That's an older model Bob my dad had one of those, mines exactly the same as in Chris’s photo & a M5 goes in with just my fingers.

Thanks Doug, I suspected that but have had it so long I really can't remember where or when I bought it.

 

[Doug]

Just thought I’d post a photo of mine as reading the thread on UKW there seems to be some differences of opinion, this is mine



Bought in the 90’s I’d guess, definitely looks the same as Chris’s & I knew it was an M5 on mine as you can see from how new the bolt is it’s not long since I had to replace it :?

 

[AndyT]

Back in the 70s, those in charge seemed to be saying that metrication was going to be quick and soon finished.

I don't think they had a great eye for detail!

 

[Chris101]

Sorry for the delay chaps. Well. Andy sent me the said bolts through and they arrived faster than the eBay hex bolts so our Andy is officially more efficient than a 25 billion dollar worth company. Nothing surpring there to be quite honest knowing our professor.
There was a little play in the variety of bolts Andy sent me, M4 and M5 not being *quite* perfect.
But Andy included a hand turned bolt (knurled no less!), and lo and behold! The whitworth takes it by a nose!

So thanks all. I have a working saw but especially to Andy because now I have a better saw than the one that was released by Eclipse. Proper job. :eusa-clap:

 

[Trevanion]

I would never have guessed it was Whitworth! It looks like such a modern frame with the tubular construction of the back (Back? Bow? Not sure what to call it :eusa-think.

 

[Pete Maddex]

Pimp my hacksaw!


Pete

 

[AndyT]

I'm glad it worked.
That bolt was a very early experiment in turning that had gone a bit wrong, but was kept in case it turned out useful for anything.

Your challenge now is to find uses for the others!