Hallicrafters SX-28 Screws

The object here is to identify what type of screw is used where. The whole point is to refer to the original SX-28 radios.

The author's experience is based on working with five radios: two old, three new. There is ample evidence that over the years, the hardware got replaced with whatever is/was handy.

The opportunity for error here is huge. If you see something wrong, please send e-mail to chiliwhiz@pm.me so it can be corrected.

BFO Front Panel capacitor

These screws are 4-32. You can't buy them anywhere.

Early Tuning Cap Cage Lid

4th and 5th radios respectively. I think the round heads are wrong.

Tuning Caps

The tuning caps are mounted to the chassis using two methods.

Tuning Cap via a Mounting Bar

To hold the bar to the chassis:

Spacers under the bar. They look like nuts but they do not have threads.

Tuning Cap via Bracket

Slotted screws for bracket to cap frame, Phillips for bracket to chassis

S Meter

See S meter section here.

Side Plates and Front Panel

Every radio I've looked at used the short screws for the side plates. The front plate is attached to the side plates with whatever's handy. I suspect the short ones were used for front plate to side plates (4 screws) and the long ones were used for the six places where screws go into the case. Two on each side and two on top.

This from my 5th radio. I saved the long ones and attached the front plate to the side plate with the smaller screws. I have no idea what original is but the short ones fit perfectly.

Short ones are 10-32 x 3/8" self tapping panhead. Long ones are 5/8". Some of the long ones have captive washers, others don't.

(Didn't notice until working with this page but one of the long screws has captive washers, the other doesn't.)

One of the first radios was put together by a gorilla. Every screw was very tight, particularly the side plate screws.
A hand-held impact driver and a hammer worked well to fix this. (Might want to try this with tubes OUT of the radio.)

Trim

6-32. Note knurled round heads with no slot. Two per trim piece. Most of the radios I worked with used something else. I'm guessing these are impossible to find.

Case Feet

12-24 x 5/8". Available on Amazon but you have to buy 50 for $15.

It's really easy to use a different screw and nut and put whatever kind of feet you want on. The bottom of the case:

Left: bottom of case.
Right: inside case.

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Last modified: Friday, 29 May 2026