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Stripped out threads for key's flat spring screw?

Author: fuzzystradjazz
Date: 2015-10-04 01:46

As many of you know, I've recently started restoring an old hard rubber Conn (early 1920s). I removed one of the key springs (flat spring) today, and when I went to put the spring back in, I felt the screw "fall" into the receiving hole...like there was no thread. I checked to see if there was a "bottom" to the threads, and there is, but the thickness of the new spring is just enough to keep the screw from reaching the one or one-and-a-half threads which exist in the bottom of the screw's receiving hole. It appears the threading was stripped years ago, and the screw was barely being held in. (Using the original screw in the original hole.)

So, I'm guessing the answer is to use a slightly larger screw (which I don't have, because the 1920s screws are already quite large), or to tap out the hole, or both.

I don't have the tools to do this. To get by (the instrument is for my sole use), could I use some thin material to "shim" the receiving hole? (If so, what material is recommended?).

If there isn't a good fix short of tap/die...how does one measure such small screws in order to figure out which tap/die to purchase? I'm not sure I have much confidence in calipers for such small measurements. (Actually, I trust the calipers - I don't necessarily trust me.)

If best taken to a larger shop; could anyone recommend a good shop in the Wyoming/Colorado/Nebraska area?

Thanks in advance,
Fuzzy

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