Wall Mounted Nut/Bolt Checkers

[TXpintail]

What is the most efficient solution to verify/identify nuts and bolts?

I have found the wall mounted checkers to be a handy to have close to the workbench. The ones I’ve found are relatively inexpensive, but also chintzy.

I lucked out recently with one I ordered from Grainger that was intended as a gift. Opened the box up at the store to find 5 of the bolt studs we’re rolling around in the bottom of the box. The guy said he could reorder or I could have it for free. I like free. After a simple JB Weld repair it was up in the garage.

The other two I have seen:

I’m pretty sure the one I got from Grainger is a rebrand of the S&W. I would guess that a high quality version would be prohibitively expensive for the average weekend warrior, so I’ve learned to live with them for the price. I have a few of the plastic freebies that work fine, but like the wall mount for speed and just that’s it’s always close by.

Anyone know of better built wall mount? Or am I missing anything here on approach? What would the solution be in a machine shop?

 

[4xdog]

I have the metric and inch version of Thread Checkers hanging from the shelves near my workbench. They almost never get removed from their hook -- it's super easy to pull the cable away from the shelf to check a nut or bolt and let it fall back along the shelf vertical support. I've been delighted with 'em.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003FJW0GK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[unslow1]

I have the metric and inch version of Thread Checkers hanging from the shelves near my workbench. They almost never get removed from their hook -- it's super easy to pull the cable away from the shelf to check a nut or bolt and let it fall back along the shelf vertical support. I've been delighted with 'em.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003FJW0GK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

This is the style I have at home.

 

[woody 73]

That one you got for free is the best and now you want one better???

Honey child if you want the best then you better make it yourself...

 

[RAYJAY]

I have the metric and inch version of Thread Checkers hanging from the shelves near my workbench. They almost never get removed from their hook -- it's super easy to pull the cable away from the shelf to check a nut or bolt and let it fall back along the shelf vertical support. I've been delighted with 'em.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003FJW0GK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

we have this style at work the only problem is the number sizes wear off after a while, in my home shop have the red white and blue one try amazon they have them on line prices were better.

 

[M6erfan]

After a simple JB Weld repair it was up in the garage.

Fixed and free

What would the solution be in a machine shop?

Calipers/Mic & pitch gauge

 

[TXpintail]

That one you got for free is the best and now you want one better???



Honey child if you want the best then you better make it yourself...

No complaints with the free one! Lol.....

Come on man, you have to something to talk about on a Sunday morning.....

 

[MFolks]

www.rockler.com has something similar, a "Thread detective" in Metric and Imperial sizes,including the larger bolts and nuts.

 

[TXpintail]

The necklace style checkers are cheaper than I thought they would be.


Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[evintho]

$85??!!
I'll make my own!

 

[BarryWells]

Kinda cool. After 50 years I can tell what it is from 20 feet( if I have my glasses on)

 

[cherrybomb]

You might want to check,Thread Tool Supply,I have the flat plate style.I really like mine,excellent quality,good prices.Outstanding company to work with.I take mine to the hardware store with me .The knuckleheads in my store,mix the hardware up by tossing back in wrong bins.I check my purchases before leaving.I don't like going back if there is a problem.Dont ask how I know!

 

[mbshop]

There are simple flat cards that have holes and thread pitches. Take no space at all. I have fiber ones and alloy ones.

 

[TXpintail]

There are simple flat cards that have holes and thread pitches. Take no space at all. I have fiber ones and alloy ones.

You talking about something like this or different MB?

 

[PiperCub49]

I have the ones on the cable that are pictured above. I decided on those because, although I kind of like the look and general function of the ones attached to the board, I can't take the board over to a vehicle and spin it on a bolt or welded nut. The cable one is more versatile. Either way, I consider these an absolute necessity in my shop. I'm also curious about the ones that come in a feeler gauge style.

 

[Toold_up]

Here is another example of a card style:

https://www.fastenerblackbook.com/index.php?app=threadgage

$15.95 + shipping

 

[gungatim]

$85??!!
I'll make my own!

same here. when I saw the price, I just made one. used a section of scrap aluminum 3/8 x 2". drill, tap, chamfer, done. made a nice little afternoon project. plus I put in std and metric sizes I'm always struggling with when sorting fasteners that are missing on the hardware store ones. #6 on up in std and fine SAE and metric as well. 1/4-28's always gets confused with the metric and end up sorted in the wrong bin.

 

[Danglerb]

Soon enough somebody will have a cell phone app that uses the camera to guess the size and thread, maybe by laying a screw on a reference grid of some kind.

 

[gungatim]

Soon enough somebody will have a cell phone app that uses the camera to guess the size and thread, maybe by laying a screw on a reference grid of some kind.

now that's something I would use. would be cool if it could also tell you the wheel stud size and spacing by snapping a pic at a junk yard...

we got some tech guys on here, maybe one of them will write us an ap!

 

[TXpintail]

same here. when I saw the price, I just made one.

Sounds interesting. Would love to see pics of anyone’s DIY version.

 

[gungatim]

Sounds interesting. Would love to see pics of anyone’s DIY version.

not real clear but I found a pic that happens to show one of them sitting on the bins. I blew it up and took a screenshot, so it's not very good. I think this one is SAE, can't really tell...i'll try to take a real pic of them when I get a chance. I keep screws/bolts threaded in there so I can check nuts as well.

 

[TXpintail]

not real clear but I found a pic that happens to show one of them sitting on the bins.

Is that a 2x4 base? Looks like it, but hard to tell in the picture.

 

[gungatim]

Is that a 2x4 base? Looks like it, but hard to tell in the picture.

no, just some scrap aluminum I had sitting around maybe 1/2" thick by 2" wide or so. you can see I drilled the pilot holes too close so I couldn't put larger bolts in that one without the heads hitting, the other one is spaced further apart.

 

[TXpintail]

Cool. I glossed over your previous mention of the aluminum base, but thanks for clarifying.