Source for set screws for RTAs?

RandallFlagg

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May 14, 2009
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Denver, Co, USA
Does anyone have a source for set screws for RTAs? I'm looking for spares for my Hellvape Mike's Vapes Rebirth rta, and I'm wondering if there are sites or places to order from.
Some suggested Ace Hardware, and I've tried them. Close, but no luck. I'll try other stores around town.
Amazon sells set screw assortments pretty cheap. Perhaps that might have the correct size/thread pitch needed.
Thanks in advance.
 

englishmick

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Ace tends not to stock the really small screws we use in vapes. You can get them online at specialist places like McMaster Carr, but you have to know the size. And the type of thread, metric or SAE. I think all the ones I've needed for vapes have been metric.

You can get metal plates with threaded holes in lots of sizes, so you can try your screws in the holes and get the size. Don't know how expensive they are.

McM Carr sell screws in bags of 25 or more so it would be expensive to order multiple sizes just to try them out. I had to do that once though. Got lucky on the second bag. Maybe if the ones you tried from Ace were a little too large you could order the next size down from McM Carr.

Once you figure out the size make sure you get SS, other types of metal tend to not be hard enough. Actually they come in 2 different grades of SS, whichever one is slightly more expensive is the tougher one.

Maybe that Amazon bag is the way to go. At least it might be a fairly cheap way of finding out the size you need.

Hope I didn't just tell you a bunch of stuff you already knew.

good luck
 

RandallFlagg

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ECF Veteran
May 14, 2009
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Denver, Co, USA
Ace tends not to stock the really small screws we use in vapes. You can get them online at specialist places like McMaster Carr, but you have to know the size. And the type of thread, metric or SAE. I think all the ones I've needed for vapes have been metric.

You can get metal plates with threaded holes in lots of sizes, so you can try your screws in the holes and get the size. Don't know how expensive they are.

McM Carr sell screws in bags of 25 or more so it would be expensive to order multiple sizes just to try them out. I had to do that once though. Got lucky on the second bag. Maybe if the ones you tried from Ace were a little too large you could order the next size down from McM Carr.

Once you figure out the size make sure you get SS, other types of metal tend to not be hard enough. Actually they come in 2 different grades of SS, whichever one is slightly more expensive is the tougher one.

Maybe that Amazon bag is the way to go. At least it might be a fairly cheap way of finding out the size you need.

Hope I didn't just tell you a bunch of stuff you already knew.

good luck
Wow! I'd never heard of McMaster Carr. Saving that to my favorites. Thank you. I'll have to dig in there a bit more.
 

RandallFlagg

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May 14, 2009
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Denver, Co, USA
I just broke out my digital caliper. The set screw size is 4MM long and 3.38mm diameter. Just ordered this from Amazon:
If I can get something close in this assortment, then match the numbers I find at the McMaster Carr site, things will work out.
I'm really hoping I won't have to cannibalize my remaining supply of Rebirth RTAs. I only have four left from when I bought them before Colorado passed their, "Let's Tax Vape Stuff To Get People Back Into Cigarettes," insanity.
Did I mention politicians suck?
 

JCinFLA

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@RandallFlagg - I was doing some browsing online about set screws for RTAs, RBAs, RDTAs, and on several different websites they've said that the m2.5x3 and m3x3 are very commonly used for them.

Somebody on another site said that if you take 1 of the screws from your RTA to Home Depot...that they can sometimes match it to some they sell.

Another person said that in the past they've contacted the manufacturer of 1 of their RTAs, and they've told them the specs for the screws in his RTA.

In case you want to do that...here's the link to the Hellvape Contact Us website page where you can explain what info. you need to know:


On Reddit there's quite a few screw specs given for lots of the different RTAs, but unfortunately...none that anyone has posted are for the Rebirth RTA.
 
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gloopdegurp

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Feb 3, 2022
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Pennsylvania, USA
I just broke out my digital caliper. The set screw size is 4MM long and 3.38mm diameter. Just ordered this from Amazon:
If I can get something close in this assortment, then match the numbers I find at the McMaster Carr site, things will work out.
I'm really hoping I won't have to cannibalize my remaining supply of Rebirth RTAs. I only have four left from when I bought them before Colorado passed their, "Let's Tax Vape Stuff To Get People Back Into Cigarettes," insanity.
Did I mention politicians suck?
I have a M2/M2.5/M3 set of screws and compared them to the ones with my Rebirth RDA - all are too small of a diameter.
It sounds like your RTA probably has the same size screws as my RDA.
Mine measured 3.3 × 4mm - my calipers only go to tenths.
Hoping either the M4 or M5 from the set you ordered will fit!
 

RandallFlagg

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May 14, 2009
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Denver, Co, USA
Well, the first assortment (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CPSH8Q6N) arrived with the screws all mixed up. After about an hour trying to see if any of them would work, none did.

Ordered a second assortment (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CKFJ8GY?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title) which were properly separated in little bags in the container, but they also didn't fit the Rebirth.

I only get 24 hours off before having to go back to work. I'll have to search again in a few days. Just wanted to post an update.
 

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