I want to sort all my screws and keep them sorted. The Home Depot has a board in their fastener section, into which you can thread your screw or bolt. It tells you the number and pitch.
Are those sold anywhere? It would be so handy to keep next to the fastener storage on my workbench. Not only could I definitely sort my screws now, but every time I add one to the pile I can always put itin the right place.
Lee Valley carries one, available in Imperial or Metric threads.
nate
Also, if you have an engraver and a tap and die set, you could make your own from aluminum plate...
nBryan Scholtes wrote in news:72f60472-5557-4b98-9a24- snipped-for-privacy@b23g2000yqn.googlegroups.com:
How hard could it be to make one?
Do you recall where you saw them in Lee Valley's catalog?
On 2/16/2012 3:00 PM, mcp6453 wrote: ...
There's this one; don't recall whether there's also the standard threaded-hole plate type there or not...
Oh, here are the plates...
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Or drill and tap two sets of holes. In the second hole put the corresponding size screw. Mine is bought but it wouldnt be hard to DIY one.
Jimmie
OR Rockler .com
part #30857 standard
part #38496 metric
I have both sets, they are neat hanging on small cable .
$15.95 per
Bill
:
Yes, that'd be nice. Or buy two of the screw checkers and in the second one put in the screws. then you can check nuts as well. I've also seen products like this
nate
Dang, I really like that. I might have to put that on my Christmas list.
nate
Although now that I look at it closer, the last time I had to identify a tapped hole (actually a captive nut) it was a M12 fine thread, so that still wouldn't have helped... I guess nobody makes one tool to rule them all, although that is pretty darn close. I just determined what that one was by process of elimination; I tried a 1/2" NC, 1/2" NF, and M12 standard pitch, none of them worked and it looked finer than M12 standard so I brilliantly deduced what it must be :) (I also took the part - a spare tire carrier - to the auto parts store with me just to be sure... It is sad when your FLAPS has a better selection of hardware than your local hardware store, but c'est la vie.)
nate
Buy a tap and die set in whatever system you prefer and use the parts of that for ID'ing the hardware. Admit it, you could use one, right?
Joe
How about dirt cheap chinese metric and SAE tap/die sets?
They also make thread gauges. LIttle metal strips with teeth you just lie against the tread. If it doesn't fit, you must acquit.
Good grief, have you any idea how many tapped holes you will need? You could devote an entire garage wall to that project and still not cover the subject.
Cheap dial calipers, expensive ones also work ;) , a pocket calculator and thread charts are all you really need. May as well download tap drill size charts while you are at it.
As for the charts, Google 'ISO thread charts' , print out and place in plastic sleeves, hang where you store your hardware.
John
ENCO has the "Thread Detective" which has 25 inch and metric sizes in a nice "stud" format threaded on a steel cable where each stud has a male and female end in the specified thread. I think that format has an advantage in being able to check threads in tight locations vs. the plate format. On sale at $23.95 in the last flyer I have, item PH404-0002.
Good tips! Thanks!
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