Share your craft projects
Make new craft buddies
Ask craft questions
Blog your craft journey
Dave, I know that you said that you tried to call. Out of curiosity I just called and the answering machine said that they are closed (it is Sunday) and listed normal office hours and then gives you a list of names and extensions you can select to talk to someone in particular. Did you try each individual to see if anyone answers?
Also, if you can find a regular bolt of 5/8-11, I would think it would be easier to find someone who can drill a hole through the middle of it than to re-thread and possibly mess it up. Of course you have nothing to lose from rethreading the one that has the wrong thread on it since it is useless to begin with.
In the mean time, you can probably just use an unmodified 5/8-11 bolt without the bolt that goes through the center. The 5/8 bolt will lock down the pivot. I do not usually completely lock down the center bolt anyway. I usually leave it loose enough that it slides without loosening it. It is sort of a PITA to loosen it each time you move the carriage. The rear bolt locks it down just fine, especially if you are using the index pin. Even if I am not using the indexing, I will adjust the index so that I can use that to further lock it in place. If you feel like the carriage moves or vibrates too much, you can try adding a spring clamp or something.
Also, if you can find a regular bolt of 5/8-11, I would think it would be easier to find someone who can drill a hole through the middle of it than to re-thread and possibly mess it up. Of course you have nothing to lose from rethreading the one that has the wrong thread on it since it is useless to begin with.
In the mean time, you can probably just use an unmodified 5/8-11 bolt without the bolt that goes through the center. The 5/8 bolt will lock down the pivot. I do not usually completely lock down the center bolt anyway. I usually leave it loose enough that it slides without loosening it. It is sort of a PITA to loosen it each time you move the carriage. The rear bolt locks it down just fine, especially if you are using the index pin. Even if I am not using the indexing, I will adjust the index so that I can use that to further lock it in place. If you feel like the carriage moves or vibrates too much, you can try adding a spring clamp or something.
--Nathan, TX. Hire the lazy man. He may not do as much work but that's because he will find a better way.
