Screws

The two types of screws we've seen directly from an original Wah Chang communicator (in Alpha) are: 1) brass 2-56 machine slotted oval head, and 2) steel 2-56 machine slotted round head:

The "2" in the 2-56 number is the standard industry-reference diameter and the "56" is the number of threads per inch. They always go together - you can't get a 2 size with, say, less threads per inch. These guys are tiny - certainly much smaller than those commonly used in past replicas, which are usually the 4 or 6 size. So which one should you seek for your top-notch replica? Easy. While there are a few exceptions found with difficulty in high definition screen caps (the brass round head may be either a slotted or Philips)...

... the quintessential Wah Chang communicator screw was this brass slotted oval head:

The above diagram is of the one actual survivor measured. The steel round heads seen in Alpha, the brass round heads in Zeta & Gamma, and the steel oval or flat head also in Gamma were either installed by Wah or were a studio replacement for those lost on set.

We discuss at length the investigation on how we came to say the brass slotted oval screw best represents an authentic Wah comm here:

> > > The Details - WHICH IS THE CORRECT SCREW? < < <

Where to get:
One would think that finding duplicates for this 2-56 machine brass slotted oval head screw would be simple. Unfortunately that is not going to be the case. This type isn't made anywhere in the world! That's right, the very one we seek has not been in production for decades.

Your options are:

      1) Search for and find an old forgotten stash of vintage 1/2" (or longer) 2-56 brass slotted oval machine screws (see bottom of page).
      2) Paint a stainless steel version of #1, wonderfully still available from Jamestown Distributors, with a brass/gold color so it looks about
          right once screwed in. This is bound to be your best bet today... while their supplies last.
    3) Use the steel slotted round head that came in Alpha, obtainable in small quantities from Micro Fasteners, Jamestown Distributors or
          Fastener Mart.
      4) Use a brass version of #3 (as a compromise composite), easily ordered from Amazon or some of the companies listed above.
      5) Use a brass slotted flat head, and though while very inexpensive, it has a dull inauthentic look (don't try to manually round the top to
          give it a domed appearance as this will dramatically reduce the head's outer diameter).
      6) Custom fabricate new brass slotted oval screws. This will naturally be the most expensive option by far, with minimum order sizes
          from machine shops typically starting at around a thousand pieces.

Note - Steel "round" head screws from Amazon have inexplicably a slightly flattened top, so don't order those from there...

We'll also report if someone ramps up with a custom machined run of the proper brass slotted oval we all really seek.

* * * * *

To offer hope of your finding the correct 2-56 brass slotted ovals, we know of a vigilant hobbyist who has located for himself in the storeroom of an long-closed machine shop a small amount of surviving NOS ("New Original Stock") 1/2" screws:

Again, we will report if a supply of this screw type becomes openly available.