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Where do you find those odd Knurled nuts that fit various Lionel accessories? Regular knurled nuts don't fit as the screw post does not have threads all the way down because the wire is supposed to go thru the screw post. What do you call them?. I need about a half dozen for various accessories.

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Be aware that most Prewar and Postwar Lionel accessories used the same thread on their binding posts, which I think was 4-36. In the Modern Era, Lionel used a metric thread for some accessories. I don't have the specification for the metric thread.

 

The reproduction knurled binding post nuts that I have on hand are undercut so they will go all the way down on the binding posts. I may have purchased them from any of three different parts suppliers:

George Tebolt

The Train Tender

Miniature Lamp Works

I've bought them at ACE and Lowes... depending on if they have the thread size you need.  If the post doesn't have threads all the way down, you can counterbore the knurled nuts on a drill press by drilling them out with an appropriate sized bit.  Use a vice to hold the nut while drilling it, and set your depth stop for best results. 

 

Of course, it would be easier to buy them from the sources CW listed, but I'm usually to impatient to order them! 

The usual Ace, home Depot, Lowes dont have them around here. These are all Lionel modern era accessories. The post they screw onto doesn't have threads all the way down so normal nuts and knurl nuts won't work. Since my drill press is shot thats not an option. I will try the sources listed above.

 

Bit there is a name for these things but I can't remember it? 

 

 

I think the term you are looking for is 'binding post' nut, as CW Burfle stated. Some of the replacement binding posts and nuts will be metric. For instance, I ordered from Lionel, and online dealers, some replacement binding posts for my 1122 switches, and they all came in metric. I ordered from Lionel some binding post nuts for more modern 027 switches which I knew were metric, and the replacements were different yet again- a different metric thread! Even though binding posts nuts may have old part numbers for them, chances are many of them will be metric, and will not fit older equipment. Call before ordering any, to make sure they are the proper thread.

 

Larry

 

Originally Posted by TrainLarry:

I think the term you are looking for is 'binding post' nut, as CW Burfle stated. Some of the replacement binding posts and nuts will be metric. For instance, I ordered from Lionel, and online dealers, some replacement binding posts for my 1122 switches, and they all came in metric. I ordered from Lionel some binding post nuts for more modern 027 switches which I knew were metric, and the replacements were different yet again- a different metric thread! Even though binding posts nuts may have old part numbers for them, chances are many of them will be metric, and will not fit older equipment. Call before ordering any, to make sure they are the proper thread.

 

Larry

 

CW also pointed out much of the Post war stuff is 4-36 thread. Not a common thread today. Most #4 screws today are 4-40 or 4-48. You won't find 4-36 in your local hardware store. Best bet is just bite the bullet and order from one of the repro parts guys.

 

Pete

Originally Posted by dkdkrd:
Originally Posted by mwb:

Under the knurled nut tree?

Why, yes!  Sought after and coveted by 'squrls'!

 

I suppose the knurled nuts ye seek are not at all akin the gnarled nuts who frequent our LHS.  You could have them for free!  ALL the different sizes!

 

 

 

I agree. This forum is full of gnarly old nuts, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if some of them were knurled too!  

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