I just tried the "6-screw mod" on a pair of TV Jones Powertrons

[Embenny]

Thanks for the suggestions re:size, I've just emailed TV Jones to ask them what the specs are on those screws to be safe.

[Embenny]

Forgot to post the follow up. I got an email back within 24 hours of emailing TVJ.

Hi Mike,


Thanks for your message and support of TV Jones products! For our Power'Trons, the stock pole screw size is 3/4" with 6/32 thread size. They are steel screws with Fillister heads.  I hope this helps; please let us know if you have any other questions we might be able to assist with.


Kind regards,

Adam Seutter

Unfortunately, I can't find any 6/32 black nylon screws. I've found white ones, but no black. They all have smaller thread numbers if they happen to be both #6 and black nylon.

Unless someone has better luck than me finding them, I'll probably just clean up the holes and leave them as-is for now.

[Gordon]

Unfortunately, I can't find any 6/32 black nylon screws. I've found white ones, but no black. They all have smaller thread numbers if they happen to be both #6 and black nylon.

Unless someone has better luck than me finding them, I'll probably just clean up the holes and leave them as-is for now.

https://www.amazon.com/Machine-Slotted- ... B00F332ROQ

[Embenny]

Unfortunately, I can't find any 6/32 black nylon screws. I've found white ones, but no black. They all have smaller thread numbers if they happen to be both #6 and black nylon.

Unless someone has better luck than me finding them, I'll probably just clean up the holes and leave them as-is for now.

https://www.amazon.com/Machine-Slotted- ... B00F332ROQ

Ah, I should have mentioned I'm afflicted by an intractable case of Canadianism.

Side effects include free healthcare, an involuntary reflex to apologize to inanimate objects I've walked into, and a $20 USD shipping charge for $8 of screws from American Amazon.com. I get the significantly less-stocked Amazon.ca.

There's one option on the Canadian site, but it's 1.5" long, and I don't know if i could cut these without mangling the plastic thread.

[Gordon]

Ah, I should have mentioned I'm afflicted by an intractable case of Canadianism.

Side effects include free healthcare, an involuntary reflex to apologize to inanimate objects I've walked into, and a $20 USD shipping charge for $8 of screws from American Amazon.com. I get the significantly less-stocked Amazon.ca.

There's one option on the Canadian site, but it's 1.5" long, and I don't know if i could cut these without mangling the plastic thread.

Free healthcare or screws, get your priority straight!

Different length is OK, the effect is only aesthetic, you only need to see it on the top. If it's too long, just cut it, and maybe taper (or trim the threads) the snipped end with sandpaper.

[Scout]

The 6 is the diameter and the 32 is threads per inch. I have seen then come with receptacle and switch plates, that size is a common one for electrical fittings in the states, not sure about Canada. I think magic markers are your friend in this case, it would have to look better than a hole and offer protection on some level. Check a good hardware store and don’t skip the electrical section.

[Embenny]

Different length is OK, the effect is only aesthetic, you only need to see it on the top. If it's too long, just cut it, and maybe taper (or trim the threads) the snipped end with sandpaper.

Ah, I didn't think of sanding the mangled bit. I was picturing cutting them and then having trouble engaging the thread, that's a great idea.

The 6 is the diameter and the 32 is threads per inch. I have seen then come with receptacle and switch plates, that size is a common one for electrical fittings in the states, not sure about Canada. I think magic markers are your friend in this case, it would have to look better than a hole and offer protection on some level. Check a good hardware store and don’t skip the electrical section.

Oh yeah, we have a ton of 6-32 screws here for electrical purposes etc, but they're all metal and I need plastic in order to avoid affecting the tone of the pickup. I found white nylon ones locally but was hoping for black.

Of course, this is all for vanity's sake, and I could also just live with some holes in the pickup.

[Deed_Poll]

I heard chrome paint technology is getting pretty good now? Or you could always try some silver nail varnish or something?

[Sklivas]

You could probably 3D print some, if you know someone with a printer.

If you live near Ottawa I could give it a go for you.

[Gordon]

Other option: you get the nylon screws with a smaller diameter (or bigger, but then you have to file the threads to get a smooth shaft), bit longer than needed, and then you slide it into the pickup. Then you either use a bit of hot glue, or melt the underside end with a lighter so it doesn't pop out.

[Embenny]

You could probably 3D print some, if you know someone with a printer.

If you live near Ottawa I could give it a go for you.

That's actually the area I'm in, but I would never want to impose, especially for such a trivial thing.

Other option: you get the nylon screws with a smaller diameter (or bigger, but then you have to file the threads to get a smooth shaft), bit longer than needed, and then you slide it into the pickup. Then you either use a bit of hot glue, or melt the underside end with a lighter so it doesn't pop out.

These pickups run like $280 USD a set, I'd definitely like to keep things reversible. If I ever decide to change pickups, they have great resale value.

I think I'll likely just clean up the wax around the holes and leave them empty, until I happen across black nylon screws that fit. It'd look a bit neater to have the screws, but it's a really minor thing overall.

I might try cutting the long black nylon ones down to size, for $8 it seems like a reasonable gamble.

[Sweetfinger]

Buy the next size smaller in whatever thread, run them through, and fasten with nylon or brass nuts on the rear.

[Gordon]

These pickups run like $280 USD a set, I'd definitely like to keep things reversible. If I ever decide to change pickups, they have great resale value.

Both my options are easy to scrape.

[Sweetfinger]

These pickups run like $280 USD a set

If you're in the USA, I can do better pricing than that.

[andy_tchp]

I might try cutting the long black nylon ones down to size, for $8 it seems like a reasonable gamble.

Thread a nut onto it before you cut it shorter. When you take it (the nut) off it'll clean the threads so the cut end can still properly engage afterwards.