Cable rod compatibility

[John Rumm]

The other day I ordered a couple of accessories for my cable rods - a small bullet torch to go on the end and a magnet and chain set. Much to my annoyance, they don't match the thread size of my rods.

Hence I thought it would be handy to compile a list of which rods have what threads etc.

The accessories I ordered were by Hellerman Tylon from CPC:

they expect a larger thread diameter than the basic rods from Screwfix.

The rods the basic £15 set from Screwfix:

is yet another make from TLC: got sets of any of these? Would you care to measure the thread sizes / pitches etc?

[Dave Osborne]

The Screwfix ones are from Super Rod

I have the cable "quick tool box set" (Screwfix 89981)

size is M4.

The other Screwfix product (82483) looks like the Super Rod "Cable Quick Kit" which would appear to also have an M4 thread.

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Apparently the cable quick sets are not compatible with their pro range (which appears to be called "Cable Rod")

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The So-called Hellermann Tyton stuff from CPC is from the Super Rod "Cable Rod" range.

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The TLC-direct stuff is also from Super Rod...

[ARWadsworth]

OK

The Super Rod set in my van measures 6mm for the diameter of the outside thread and 8 threads per 10mm. This was measured by eye and using a tape measure. Normally I would use my brothers mechanics skills to find an exact size.

I have no idea how to convert that into a thread size.

I have some M6 roofing bolts in the van. These do the first couple of turns onto the Super Rod before becoming tight.

Inside the Super Rod packaging there is a customer care tel no. 01459 792000

HTH

Adam

[John Rumm]

OK, I have the longer Super Rod set - and would agree with the M4 bit.

None of my metric taps fit the thread of the Hellerman torch accessory I bought (still waiting for the magnet and chain set) the one marked 6 x

0.7 tap binds in the thread almost immediately, and the 6 x 1.0 tap screws in a couple of turns before stopping. So I am guessing they are a non metric thread.

I would guess my 6 x 1.0 tap is the same as your bolt...

It does sound like your super rod set may be the same as the HT ones.

I might give em a bell tomorrow.

[ARWadsworth]

Most definately the same. It says Hellermann Tools on the worn sticker on the outside of the tube and the Super Rod logo says it all.

Adam

[Lobster]

For sure...? My own version of that set from Screwfix (bought about four years ago) is branded Silverline: certainly the online Screwfix picture looks more like my set than the one on the Super Rod site. Don't know what the thread size is - if I can dig out some known sizes of bolts I will try and measure it.

David

[John]

Isn't M6 similar to 2BA?

[Andrew Mawson]

accessory I

couple of turns

Probably 1/4" whitworth; - if it is a BA thread it would be 0BA not

2BA

AWEM

[<me9]

)BA is is interchangable with M6 in one direction. I can't remember if it's nuts (just about) fit bolts or vice versa.

Contrary to popular belief, BA sizes were originally specified in metric.

[js.b1]

Silverline mini (12") are M4. Stanlay fish tape (10m, round flexible nylon) is M4.

Glue the magnet in, they seem to pop out quite easily.

[Frank Erskine]

On Thu, 16 Jul 2009 22:16:15 +0100, had this to say:

BA is based on the metric system, apparently.

I don't know how the diameters evolved, but the thread pitch was based on powers of 0·9mm, so that say, 0 BA is 0·9^0 (1mm), 1 BA is 0·9^1 (0·9mm).... 6 BA is 0·9^6 (0·531441mm), and so on.

I think this was rounded to the nearest 'mil' (1/1000 inch) in proper English practice.

[<me9]

^ typo, I should check my posts before sending. That should read 0BA.

[John Rumm]

Tried your trick with the M6 bolt today on the Hellerman accessory - gets about a couple of turns before stopping. The thread pitch seems steeper than the metric one, Shame they don't make a male to male gender changer - then I could just turn one side down and run a M4 die down it.