Help ID this screw

Background: I’m one of those horrible people who tries to refill their own ink cartridges and ends up with a sludge at the bottom of their printer that basically ruins the damn thing. However, I’m one of those people that bought way too much of the stuff and getting a new printer now would be admitting defeat and letting my mind wander about all the awful things I could do with 40 or so ounces of ink (plus assorted color bottles).

One of the components of the refill kit is the screw that goes into the bottom of the cart once the ink is loaded. I stupidly threw mine out when the last cartridge nearly fell apart in my printer. The screw is, itself, $.30, but they have like $5 in shipping charges. I tried identifying what kind of screw it is so I can run down to the local hardware store and see if they have anything that would fit, but I can’t really identify this screw.

The “dimensions” are “Size 832 by 1/4,” but an internet search didn’t turn up anything by that name. A picture of the screw is located here: http://www.misterinkjet.com/misc_parts.htm

When I go into the hardware store, what should I ask for? Is 832 x 1/4" the correct size designation? I found some links for 8-32 x 1/4" although the ones I found either had pictures of a huge pile of unidentifiable screws or broken links to the image.

Thanks for your help.

8-32 is a common screw size. Places like Ace Hardware should sell them individually.

Normally, 8 specifes the diameter, 32 is the number of threads per inch, and 1/4 would be the length of the threaded shaft.

So asking for a 8-32 1/4 inch long set screw (with no head) should do it.

Well, I’ll be damned.

Thanks for the information!

Yeah. The link says “set” screw. That’s what their called, alright. Check the kind of drive (on the end of the screw, where you turn it in). Most are slotted or hex. Ask for a 8/32 by 1/4 inch set screw, and the clerk’ll think you’re a pro. :wink:

Hell, just walk right over to the drawers and grab it right out yourself. These days, it seems the help in there don’t know the goods any better than you did.
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Gawd, now I feel curmudgeonly…

Often, not nearly as well. Many times I’ve had someone tell me they don’t carry what I’m looking for, and then walked over to the hardware drawers and found just what I needed.

Their philosophy seems to be: “Many of the people who shop in this store are idiots. Therefore, I’m entitled to assume that everyone is.”

There are two Ace hardware stores in my area. Both are local (I’m not sure how that works), and both have pretty knowledgible staff. One has “take a number” when they’re busy.