Quick answer
Match screws and axles by function and size, not by looks alone. If a part is missing, replace it with the same eitech Manufaktur component or an equivalent size, and use a nut holder to keep small fasteners steady while you tighten. When a specification is not listed, measure the original part or check the set instructions before ordering.
Screw and axle questions come up at every stage of an eitech build, from the first bag of hardware to a repair years later. This FAQ answers the practical ones: what fits what, how to identify a part you cannot name, and how to replace it without buying the wrong thing.
The answers below stay close to what the catalog actually states. Where a dimension or variant is not supplied, that gap is called out instead of guessed, so you can decide whether to measure, compare, or ask before ordering.
Are eitech screws interchangeable between sets?
Often yes, but only when length, diameter, and thread match. eitech hardware is built around consistent metal construction parts, so a screw from one Manufaktur build frequently works in another if it is the same size. The risk is using a longer screw in a shallow hole, where it can bottom out before the parts are tight, or a shorter one that does not reach through a thick assembly.
Treat the screw as a system part: it holds a specific stack of plates, angles, or brackets. If you swap in a different length, check that the screw passes fully through the parts and still leaves enough thread for the nut. When in doubt, compare the candidate screw against the original side by side before installing it.
- Compare length and diameter against the original before swapping.
- A screw that bottoms out will feel tight but leave the joint loose.
How do I identify an eitech axle size?
Measure the axle you already have: diameter first, then length. Diameter decides whether the axle fits a rim, bearing, or frame hole, while length decides how far it reaches across the model. If the original part is still in the model, remove it carefully and measure it rather than estimating from a photo.
When a catalog entry does not list a diameter or length, do not assume a value from a similar product. The eitech Rim Ø 13 mm, silver is a good example of a part where the diameter is stated directly in the name, which makes matching straightforward. For parts without that detail, use the item code and the set instructions as your reference.
Rim Ø 13 mm, silver
- Measure diameter before length; diameter is the fit-critical dimension.
- Keep the old axle as a physical reference until the replacement is confirmed.
Can I replace a missing screw or axle with a non-eitech part?
You can, but matching both size and material matters more than brand. A hardware-store screw with the same diameter and length may work, yet a different head shape can interfere with tight assemblies, and a different finish may behave differently over time. For axles, the diameter and any flat or threaded sections must match exactly, or the part will not seat correctly.
The safer route is to replace with the same eitech Manufaktur component when you can identify it. That keeps the fit, finish, and function consistent with the rest of the model. If you cannot identify the part, order by measured size and keep the original as a fallback.
- Match diameter, length, thread, and head shape, not just one of them.
- Keep the original part until the replacement is proven to fit.
How do I keep small nuts and screws from getting lost during assembly?
Work over a tray or shallow box so dropped parts stay contained, and sort hardware by size before you start. Small fasteners are the easiest thing to lose and the hardest to identify later, so a few minutes of sorting saves a replacement order. For nuts in awkward spots, a holder tool keeps the nut aligned while you turn the screw.
The eitech https://eitecheg.com/products/schraubenschlussel-mit-mutterhalter-8c6767f6138bcd32a41c651e-1568696Wrench with nut holder is designed exactly for this: it holds a nut in place while you turn or tighten. That reduces the chance of dropping the nut inside a closed assembly, where retrieval can mean partial disassembly. It is a small tool, but it addresses the most common cause of lost hardware.
- Sort by size before assembly, not during.
- Use a nut holder wherever a nut sits behind or inside a frame.
What should I check before ordering a replacement part?
Confirm three things: the item code if you have it, the measured size of the original, and the function the part performs. A flat angle bracket, for instance, is not interchangeable with a rim or a threaded rod because each does a different job. Ordering by function first prevents buying a part that fits dimensionally but cannot do the work.
If the catalog entry does not state a dimension you need, that is a decision limitation, not a hint. Measure the original, compare it to the listing, and only then order. When a part is listed with a code, such as the eitech Threaded rod 4x44 mm under code 01372, that code is the most reliable way to confirm you are reordering the same component.
- Item code first, measured size second, function third.
- Do not infer a missing dimension from a similar-looking part.
Quick reference: screw and axle questions at a glance
Screw will not tighten
Check whether the screw is bottoming out in a shallow hole or is too short to pass through the full stack of parts. Match length to the actual joint, not to the screw you happen to have.
Axle does not fit a rim or hole
Measure the axle diameter first; diameter controls fit, while length controls reach. If the listing omits a diameter, measure the original rather than guessing.
Part is missing and unnamed
Use the item code if available, then measured size, then function to identify a replacement. Order by function first so a dimensionally similar part does not substitute for the wrong job.
Parts that answer common screw and axle questions
- Wrench with nut holder: The eitech Wrench with nut holder is a hand tool designed to hold a nut in place while you work, offered under the eitech brand as part of the Manufaktur line. It keeps a nut aligned during tightening, which is the most practical way to avoid dropping small hardware inside a closed assembly.
- Threaded rod 4x44 mm: The eitech Threaded Rod 4x44 mm is a Manufaktur component identified by SKU code 01372, offered in a Standard variant. The stated 4x44 mm size and the code 01372 give you two concrete ways to confirm you are reordering the same part.
- Rim Ø 13 mm, silver: The eitech Rim Ø 13 mm in silver is a small round rim component from the Manufaktur line with a compact 13 mm diameter and a silver finish. Because the diameter appears in the product name, it is one of the easier parts to match when you are replacing a wheel-related component.
- Flat angle: The Flat angle is a bracket for connecting components, with legs equipped with two slotted holes and a leg length of 20 mm. The slotted holes allow adjustment during assembly, which helps when a joint needs slight repositioning rather than a fixed hole position.
Most screw and axle problems come down to size and function, not brand. Measure the original, match the item code when you have one, and use a nut holder to keep small fasteners under control. When a specification is missing from a listing, treat that as a reason to measure rather than assume.
