Atlas track screws (source)

Screw sizes top to bottom.  #6 top. largest is a cut drywall screw. #4 in the middle.  Bottom, including the Atlas track screw, (2nd from the bottom),#2.

Good hardware stores may have them, probably not black. 

The #4 flat head screw middle, black, was stocked by McCormick's Hardware, Zelienople PA, which also does O gauge trains.   Seems to be the modeler's choice for Gargraves track. 

I don't know where you live, but here in Wisconsin we go to our local True Value hardware store when we need a specific item. They are very helpful and always seem to have what you want. The big box stores are okay for common items.

I had a pkg of the Atlas screws, but can't find them. I think Atlas' are #2 x 1/2" black oxide. Micro Fasteners has this same size in the black oxide. If you want longer ones, Gargraves has a pretty good assortment of screws also, but they are #4 and come in several different lengths. Micro Fasteners also has a good selection of #4's black oxide and in assorted lengths.

GarGraves

Micro Fasteners

I'm not familiar with Atlas track screws, but have used a version of these (trim screws) with GarGraves and the like. You should be able to source them at the Depot or other big box emporiums at considerable saving as apposed to model train boutiques.

i used both atlas and gargraves scews i personal like the gargraves #4 half inch to 5/8 probaly be ok with 3/8 if no roadbed is used

An Atlas track screw is very close to 3/4" long not including the head.

Longest screw pictured.

I have been looking for a better track screw for a while now but haven't had any luck. Wild Bill's here in MI has a bag of 50 or 100 screws that work well, very close to what Atlas sells with the button head. I can post pics if needed. They are slightly longer than the screws Atlas sells.

I tried some flat head #4 by 3/4" but the heads are too big for the ties so my idea of countersinking them and painting with RR Tie Brown was not going to happen. We have a few specialty fastener shops in the Detroit area but I still haven't had much luck.

Norm, what's happening with your layout? We haven't seen a thing since you decided to change it?

Finding track screws is a pain.

Things I can say, the Atlas screws are a custom screw. Finding anything in #4 reduces the search. Finding Flat pan, pan or button\fillister reduces it further. Then, you want black oxide which virtually reduces the choices to almost nil.

So, at 8 cents a piece (MSRP)the Atlas screws are a good deal.

After a lengthy search, only Fastenal had these, which probably have the wrong head. Too high, to large a diameter. and still 8 cents a piece. The button or fillister is mostly used in machine screws, which have no point.

The track mfg's should make the holes a #6. Then one could find screws easily. It's <

.5mm larger.

The Atlas screws are appear to be a #1; they are 0.078/0.079 inches in diameter.  They are 3/4 inch long with a Phillips pan head.

This would translate in metric to about a M1.8 x 18mm.  A M2 seems to be too large. 

Both are hard to find. 

Jan

I did find #2 panhead sheet metal screws, black oxide. But, you have to buy 10,000. That's a lot of track fastening!

I passed one site with #1 in black oxide. They were 1/4" and 3/8" length.

This is one of the type of things I miss about not having a LHS. If there's a shop in your area, that's where I would start. Now I just buy extra any time I'm ordering on-line.

Just my $0.02

Gilly

Well I went to Atlas's web site and they are backordered on screws..   meh...

And here I thought this was going to be easy...  I wanted screws before this weekend as this is the last weekend this summer that I'm not working..  grrrrrrr

A tad more than Atlas MSRP, but Amazon has 6 pkgs here Atlas Track Screws. Just did a search for Atlas O track screws #6094 and quite a few came up, so there could be more out there.

They are from a 3rd party vendor, so don't know how long it would take to get them? Amazon is usually pretty fast with shipping though, even their free shipping is usually pretty quick.

if you had the correct screw you could probably get enough people here to divide the cost and buy a large quantity like that 

All you really is right there.

Mcmaster Carr has a great selection of screws

http://www.mcmaster.com/#92470a103/=t1u6rt

These are PERFECT........

http://www.boltdepot.com/Produ...ls.aspx?product=5437

JDTrains has (had?) them in stock at a decent price so I bought several packs from there.   Other places had them cheeper but not in stock.   So...  oh well.  

What I like about the Atlas screws is they are the perfect length to hold the track down tight and not go all the way through the homosote into the plywood.  Thus I avoid transferring the noise into the plywood.

Those are 1 inch, making them too long. :-(

Only if 1/2" is the longest screw that you need. 3/4" is a nice length. No gots.

They only have #4 in black oxide.

Actually they do: Black Oxide -- SMPPK0412 - #4 x 3/4 - Pan Head Sheet Metal Screws - Phillips 100 pcs/pkg for $3.90/pk.

measured in post above...they are a #2.

I should have posted these are what I use. But Bolt Depot has them in 3/4 too....good folks to deal with.

http://www.boltdepot.com/Produ...ls.aspx?product=2298

Just paint the head black when its i, they stock #1 and #2 screws in 3/4" length for just over $4.00 per 100. That's a pretty good price, you will be hard pressed to get the right black screws from anyone but Atlas O and those screw chew up #1 Phillips bits like its nobody's business. Ive gone through tons of Atlas screws and almost as many bits. Ive seen bits destroyed in 5 screws

The #4's will work just fine with the Atlas track. Slightly larger pan head is the only difference. #4 is also what GarGraves uses, they offer multiple lengths and are reasonably priced. My LHS carries both the GarGraves in all lengths and Atlas screws. I believe they are currently out of stock on Atlas. Micro Fasteners also has multiple lengths in #4's.

Odd.   I've been using the same bit in my drill for a few years and it still looks good as new.    I am however, drilling into homasote.