Titanium hinge washers

[drk]

We sell a particular Carrera titanium frame that has fancy-schmancy engineering on the hinge barrel, as some titanium frames do: a tiny washer (I believe with a little neck that fits in the screw hole) that keeps the temple from flopping. It's called a "shoulder washer", I believe.

We need one of those. Safilo doesn't provide little parts like that, and only offers to do a warranty exchange. I think that's rather inefficient.

Are there any sources for all these little doo-dads?

I checked McCray and Hilco, and they have just other kinds of washers.

[Uncle Fester]

Seiko did the same thing with their hinge barrels. Never ever ever take an older Seiko temple screw out!

They came in a couple of sizes and had a top and bottom configuration. You can get away with just a top as trying to do both is a bear!

[drk]

I've been thinking about this too much...

I wonder if titanium is "slippery" and there's not enough friction to prevent "temple flop", so they insert another kind of metal as a washer for more grip?

[Elvis Is Alive]

Perhaps, I know Charmant used to use those washers in their titanium rimless frames, not sure if that's still the case as I haven't sold Charmant in 8 years.

If one was missing or broken the hinge would flop no matter how tight the screw was. To the best of my memory, Charmant would supply those washers with the frames/chassis.

[Elvis Is Alive]

Hilco does have "metal" washers that might work in a pinch. I'm sure the other optical supply places have them too

https://www.hilcovision.com/f/metal-washers

[drk]

Thanks EIA. We have some of those but they're too thick. :(

[Uncle Fester]

I recall being told they helped prevent binding but it was a while ago. I think they eventually hurt sales so last I worked with Seiko they stopped using them.

[Prentice Pro 9000]

We sell a particular Carrera titanium frame that has fancy-schmancy engineering on the hinge barrel, as some titanium frames do: a tiny washer (I believe with a little neck that fits in the screw hole) that keeps the temple from flopping. It's called a "shoulder washer", I believe.

We need one of those. Safilo doesn't provide little parts like that, and only offers to do a warranty exchange. I think that's rather inefficient.

Are there any sources for all these little doo-dads?

I checked McCray and Hilco, and they have just other kinds of washers.

The correct term for them is "the bane of my existence" or "oh s**t, ugggghhhh where did it go!?!?!?"

[Prentice Pro 9000]

in all seriousness, I think they are also called top hat washers

[edKENdance]

Mccray has them but what you need is very specific to size. Best to get them from the manufacturer. FWIW titanium binds when rubbing against titanium which is the reason for the washers.

[drk]

The Optiboard hive mind is awesome.

[Kwill212]

I've been thinking about this too much...

I wonder if titanium is "slippery" and there's not enough friction to prevent "temple flop", so they insert another kind of metal as a washer for more grip?

Quite the opposite. Titanium has a relatively high coefficient of friction and a structure that makes it susceptible to galling. Titanium rubbing on titanum will gall and eventually seize if there is no lubrication or wear surface between them.

Top hat washers is what I have always called them as well. I have gotten them from McCray in the past, but you'll need a caliper and hole gauge to order the correct size.

[drk]

I learned a lot. Thanks to you all.