Brass Clamping Screw for Starrett V-Blocks

[Paul Jones]

I have a two sets of the twin pairs of Starrett 271C V-Blocks. I find that many times I am adding a copper shim to protect the parts clamped in the V-blocks. I decided to make a new set of brass clamping screws as an alternative to the copper shims. The V-Block sets were purchase new in 1970 and each block has a beautiful mottled-brown finish from the color casehardening process. I don't think Starrett uses this type of casehardening technique on the current 271C V-Blocks.

Each set of V-blocks comes with a forged steel clamping yoke threaded for screws with a 0.223” major diameter and 28 TPI (the 3-wire method of measuring calculates a major diameter of 0.224”). I think the current V-Block versions use screws threaded 0.187-32. The brass clamping screws are made from 0.500” dia. C360 brass and single point threaded and knurled on the 12” swing lathe.