Revell, 1/4, V-8, Visible, Engine, 3V, Bulbs, Lights, Round Head Screws

[bummer666]

Hello Forum, I just recently purchased a Revell The Visible V-8 Engine its pretty old the box has no pictures on it its just a white box with the name Revell V-8. My question forum or should i say info if out there the kit seems to be almost complete but as i went through it it's missing two of the 3V light bulbs & a few of the round head screws short and long. Does anyone know where i can get light bulbs? or something that would work? The size and thread type for the screws? I'm also posting photos of kit so you can see what i'm talking about.

Thank You in Advance as always for any help or info Forum!

Bummer666

[Jon Haigwood]

My first thought was maybe switching them over to LED bulbs ? Ad keeps coming up on my FB page for mini bulbs and switches.  

[rattle can man]

Are the screws self-tapping, or do they screw into threaded holes or nuts? If self tapping, perhaps a self-tapping wood screw? You could try a non-big box hardware store (like Ace, Tru-value or local owned) since their staff usually is more knowledgeable.  Model RR websites are another option, for both hardware and bulbs.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Those small 3V bulbs are known as "grain of wheat" or "grain of rice" bulbs (depending on their actual size), were hobby staples for decades, and are still widely available online (you can paint them if you can't find red ones).

https://www.ebay.com/itm/203486309762

EDIT: Yes, you could replace all of them with red LEDS, but unless you know a little about power supplies, battery boxes and batteries, voltmeters, and low voltage DC electricity, you're probably better off just staying with the small incandescent bulbs.

As Harry said, any well-stocked hardware store should have exactly what you need in screws. Just take a sample to match up.

You can also usually find clear packages of small screws at big-box home stores. Again, take a sample to match up.

A word of advice building that kit...be very sparing with glue when assembling it, especially the clear parts.

Excessive glue on the engine block really ruins the appearance of these models.

Edited yesterday at 01:08 AM by Ace-Garageguy

[rattle can man]

The reason I suggested a smaller store is that my local non-big-box stores are able to check the thread pitch, size, etc., whereas the big name stores don't. And they have a bigger selection of loose, unpackaged fasteners you can actually compare to what you have without opening a package.

[Ace-Garageguy]

9 hours ago, rattle can man said:

The reason I suggested a smaller store is that my local non-big-box stores are able to check the thread pitch, size, etc., whereas the big name stores don't. And they have a bigger selection of loose, unpackaged fasteners you can actually compare to what you have without opening a package.

I'm glad for you, and understand your point.

Unfortunately, all my local hardware stores are staffed by people who are just as clueless as the typical big-box employee, either kids who don't know which end of a hammer to hold, or well-meaning retires who know a little more, but not much.

EDIT: I don't mean to be unkind, but it's a good life-skill to have to be able to go get the correct fasteners for any project without having to rely on store help that as often as not give you the wrong stuff.

 

Edited yesterday at 03:43 PM by Ace-Garageguy

[rattle can man]

They usually have what I want, its better quality, and their staff know their stuff. I was tired of the plastic hardware to hang the bar in my closet to hang clothes on breaking. the only place that had metal ones was the smaller store. They also are the only place in town to get small diameter wire (music wire) for pinning parts, making axles, etc.

[Jon Haigwood]

Tip" Don't test out the lights by sticking the wires in a 110 wall outlet. Ask me how I know