Cartridge Attaching Screws

[Stringreen]

Does anyone have any thoughts as to the selection of these screws.....Aluminum,brass,titanium,nylon,etc.

[Rob]

non magnetic. I like aluminum, mine are sourced from Nippon. where do you get Ti screws in that size?

[timztunz]

I recently added a Soundsmith Aida to my 2nd system in Brasil and I got a set of their thumbscrew type. The "kit" included ones made from those different materials. It made it handy to find the right weight combination for VTF parameters.

[Rob]

Peter also makes them in brass and plastic to alter the 'arms effective mass but I don't like adding mass at the headshell.

[MylesBAstor]

Another Soundsmith convert. Though couldn't use them stock with the A95 and didn't feel like cutting them down.

[A/V Solutions]

I like using socket head type so it narrows the choice down to TI and Stainless hardware.....

[Joe Pittman]

They all sound different. And the amount of force (torque) you use will change the sound. I use primarily stainless steel screws (don't know the exact type...) and occasionally will try titanium.

Acoustical Systems makes the most expensive titanium screws I have ever heard of, but some people think they make a difference... This is wacky.


See review.

[A/V Solutions]

I find the torque of the screws seem to have more of a change then the material of the screw with the exception of nylon which are terrible.....I use a calibrated mini torque driver, makes for identical torque on both sides.

[Joe Pittman]

I use the Wiha TorqueVario-S 2852 driver which is adjustable from 0.10-0.60 Nm. And set torque for 0.35 Nm for aluminum headshells and 0.25 Nm for VPI 3D arms currently. Still trying various setting with different arm/screw material combinations...

[A/V Solutions]

Looks nice.....mine is calibrated at .4Nm. There are a few cartridges and head shells I just do by feel.

[MylesBAstor]

I was wondering how you came to that figure with the 3D arm. Overtighten and you can crack the headshell. Nerves of steel. Ice water in your veins.

[kcin]

I've resorted to ebay and various other overseas vendors. I have been trying aluminum, SS and brass (my favourite most of the time.) If you shop carefully you can get a package of 25 or so delivered for free for $2 . Yet to try titanium- or maybe I have some and don't even know it in my stash.

[Hawk]

I use Snap-on torque wrenches for my race bikes. Range is mostly 20 to 130 Foot pounds. Having difficulty finding attachments that will fit my cartridge screws.

[Hawk]

Small attempt at humor above. My Snap-on Torque wrench is almost 3 ft long with a 1/2 inch drive. Impressed by purpose built wrenches for torque on cartridge screws.

[Rob]

Most of my carts are of Japanese manufacture and nearly all of them have tapped screw holes. the JIS standard for cartridge screws is 2.5 mm with 0.45 thread pitch. this is a very specific screw size you're not gonna find it at yer corner ACE hardware store or in bulk bags. Are you guys finding socket head stainless machine screws in these sizes?

[A/V Solutions]

https://www.boltdepot.com/Metric_socket_cap_Stainless_steel_A-2_2.5mm_x_0.45mm.aspx

[kcin]

Yes SS socket cap at 2.5mm with the correct pitch are available on eBay .. Even avail in funky anodized colours if you wish that play to the RC car hobby.