[chrisb]

I had an Idea of making a press similair ti a reloading press or an upolstery button press. The idea would be to hold some threaded or unthreaded brass rod
then pull down the lever and a die peens over the rod to for a head which could be filed square. I'm thinking 1-72 and 0-80 size rod, Making the press would be easy enough but holding the rod so it does not slip is beyond me. Any idea?

 

[rangerjoel]

Maybe something along the line of a hole drilled in a piece of metal to hold the threaded part.
Cut the rod a little long anneal the end and use an air hammer on it. A custom die for the hammer head made of the head of one of those Canadian style screws (square) may just do the job for you. I bet that the bolt would stick to the upper die during forming and allow you to extract the bolt from the lower portion.
Joel

 

[rangerjoel]

opps.... did not read the 0-80 part.
Sorry

 

[pk]

Chris,

Maybe save yourself some trouble and check the McMaster Carr book. Or website. Check this link:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#brass-machine-screws/=lcyyp

They have the sizes your after as well as many others in several different head styles.

MicroMark has a good selection as well:

http://www.micromark.com/hardware.html

I've found them to be a bit more expensive than McMaster Carr but they carry some items the other doesn't.

YMMV,
pk

 

[Burl]

Have you considered http://www.microfasteners.com/ ?

They have hex-head brass screws that go down to 0-80. You might be able to file the heads to a square shape? Just a thought...