Lionel Screws/Rivets Chart?

A lot of the screws can be bought at your local hardware store but may be silver plated. 

Rob

if you are going to do repairs get the Greenberg's Repair and Operating Manual for Lionel Trains. It is a great reference for rivets, screws and parts.

Go online and look up The Train Tender. Jeff Kane really knows his stuff.

There were five pages describing the screws. The scans are below:

Thank you, CW!

For those that attend York, there is a guy in the Orange Hall that sets up along the very front that carries just about every screw that Lionel ever used. I cannot recall his name but he's been there for years. When I go to York I always stock up on screws as its cheap insurance. 

Thanks C.W., that's a useful chart to have. I've downloaded and filed the images. It seems to cover only postwar/MPC era, since there's no mention (except for a single brass shoulder bolt) of the 4-36 screws that were so common on prewar Standard Gauge. I bought an assortment of those from Jeff at the Train Tender when it became clear that I was going to be working on Standard Gauge equipment. 

quote:

It seems to cover only postwar/MPC era

I've had the manual for a long time, but I've never referenced the chart. MPC/Fundimensions continued to use quite a few unaltered postwar parts back then, so I see some postwar part numbers, but most of them seem to be modern era.

I am happy to share the information, I hope you find the pages useful.

CW

Thanks for that.

I have the Complete Service Manual (blue hardcover) and it is definitely helpful for the items in it.  The problem is like I mentioned before when something is not in there like a 6466W Tender.  The chart that CW provided does help because there are pictures.

I go to York too but when you show up at the guy with all the screws, how do you know which ones to get?

I also support Jeff from the Train Tender.  He is great and very helpful.  I am convinced that somewhere out there, someone made a chart or list in the past 33 years on Prewar/Postwar screws and rivets showing which ones go where.

quote:

I go to York too but when you show up at the guy with all the screws, how do you know which ones to get?

The fellow's name is Ted.

His booth can be very busy, and I don't like to spend a lot of my "York Time" buying parts that I could easily get through the mail. So if there are one or two styles I want to pick up, I buy them at the show. Otheriwse I just look to see if he has anything new, and grab a copy of his list. I place an order a couple of times each year to replenish what I've used, and usually add several new types too.

The list is organized by the application of the screw, he does not give specifications, such as round head, 4-32 by 1/4.

CW

You mean he has a practical list? 

Any chance you could upload that list like you did for the other?

It may be what I am looking for!

Thanks a lot!

Mark

Since the list was created by Ted, and he may consider it to be proprietary, I don't feel comfortable posting it here. I sent an email to Hellgate.

Ted does not even come close to listing all the applications of his screws. In all honesty, I've been repairing Lionel trains for so long, that I can scan Ted's descriptions and take educated guesses at screws that might fit the application at hand. When that fails, its helpful to have the screws in a see-through container so they can be viewed. (I use this method too)

For example, one screw on the list is: aluminum passenger card end screw & lehigh valley hopper 2456-8 truck bracket mtg screw I find that these screws are good for mounting the collector assembly on #41 family of chassis. The length may be off slightly, but it works.

Thanks CW

I will have to visit Ted in April.

I guess it's one of those "If it fits it works" kind of things 

Ted Nyerges, Bay Village, OH.

Ted has a listing of almost evey screw Lionel used in the Postwar period (and some other periods).  The list is by application and I have found it to be invaluable in my Lionel servicing efforts.

I've ordered screws from Ted via USPS.  I have not seen a web presence.

He also retails/wholesales out other Lionel repair parts like 2343 frames, transformer line cords with an "L" on the plug (he's the original source), and many others.

quote:

I guess it's one of those "If it fits it works" kind of things

Yes, with the following caveats: Lionel used some thread types that are difficult to locate. I try to be very careful to match thread types.

I also try  to match the threads that were already cut when installing self tapping screws, and don't overtighten. This avoids cracking.

Be careful when using screws that are a bit long. They could bottom out, or cause interference. Sometimes I will cut the end off of a screw to shorten it.

Ted the screw guy at York---Orange hall

Everything he sells is a perfect match---he has photos/copies from the Lionel Service Manual with each screw to help match what you are looking for

Prices are great---nice guy

Thx

Joe S  

Rivets: From time to time, we discuss rivet presses and the Brakeman's Riveter tool on this board. But having the tools is only half the effort. Finding suitable rivets and eyelets for repairing trains can be a challange.
Most of the rivets that Lionel used are called "semi-tubular rivets". While standard rivets are solid, semi-tubular rivets are hollow at the tip. The rivet is set by flaring out the tip and rolling it over, generally with a "rolling clincher". There are hand held rolling clinchers, press mounted clinchers, and the Brakeman's Riveter tool.

I built up my supply of rivets and eyelets by purchasing extras any time I needed a specific piece, and by purchasing an assortment or too.

Some local hardware stores carry a limited selection of semi- tubular rivets. I've purchased some there. For example, I could not find the rivet that holds the collector arms on a 1055 pilot truck on anyone's parts list, but the hardware store had a size that works OK (slightly short).

Hobby Horse used to offer an assortment of rivets. I may have missed it, but I do not see it on their web site. I guess you could contact them to see whether they are still available.

Dr. Tinker offers 12 different assortments of screws, rivets, and springs. While I consider Dr. Tinker to be an excellent parts dealer, I have not purchased any of his assortments.

Dr. Tinker worked for the original Lionel Corp. He has some interesting material on his web site that is worth a read.

http://hobbyhorseproducts.com/

http://www.drtinkertrains.com/

Back to the top.

Here is a copy of the first page of Ted's parts list.  The list is four pages.  This will give you an example of how Ted lists Lionel screws, and other parts.

As a repair person I have found Ted's servce listing of screws and other small Lionel parts invaluable.  His prices are very reasonable.

Hope this helps.

It's Ted Nyerges (see a previous post above); also George Tebolt and Stan Orr. S & W Train Parts may also have screws/rivets. It's a good idea to get the repair manuals as noted previously.

Phil (former service station #524 in Walnut Creek, CA and The Woodlands, TX)