Need a bolt thread checker

[pipsters]

I would like a thread checker where you can screw in a bolt or nut and get the size.

I found this, wondering if there is anything more expensive but better/less expensive but similar etc.

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

In other words, what do you recommend.

 

[kts]

I bought the one you linked to a few months ago. I've been happy with it.

I originally wanted a wall mounted version but I like the portability of the one you linked to for when I have something on the car that I can't easily take over to the wall.

 

[jakemac]

There are a couple of us on the forum that have that thread checker. It's the bomb ! That price is half what I paid 8mos ago. Go for it !

 

[Dan5speight]

At work we use ever thread conceivable metric fine and coarse, unc, unf, bsf, bsw, ans, as well as bsb and bsb. The way I check is with good old fashioned thread pitch gauges

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thread_pitch_gauge

and a Zeus referance book find this way has always worked best as you can check both male and female threads

 

[Outlawmws]

Thread pitch gauge is the best way, but you can go to the hardware store, by 1 each size thread in say 1-1/2 length, drill a piece of wood/plastic, aluminum and epoxy them in and have the same thing as what amazon has there.

a marker for labeling the size/thread and you are done, (it is real easy to simply lay two bolts against each other, thread to thread, and you have a simple thread gauge)

 

[MFolks]

The "Thread Detective" sold by Rockler, seems to work for me, there are two sets; one is metric in red, the other is Imperial(American)Black in color.

http://www.rockler.com/thread-detective-screw-gauge

 

[pipsters]

The "Thread Detective" sold by Rockler, seems to work for me, there are two sets; one is metric in red, the other is Imperial(American)Black in color.

http://www.rockler.com/thread-detective-screw-gauge

Thanks. That looks nice too. I like the round knobs, makes using it easier. You would get 25 checkers with that for $36, the one on Amazon is $30 for 26. They also have another one that has separate metric and SAE which is $33 a pop, might be overkill for my use.

 

[pipsters]

At work we use ever thread conceivable metric fine and coarse, unc, unf, bsf, bsw, ans, as well as bsb and bsb. The way I check is with good old fashioned thread pitch gauges

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thread_pitch_gauge

and a Zeus referance book find this way has always worked best as you can check both male and female threads

That would work for bolts but not for things that are inserted in. This has come up because we have a TV with a stand and no bolts, so I need to know the thread pitch to go buy them.

 

[pipsters]

Thread pitch gauge is the best way, but you can go to the hardware store, by 1 each size thread in say 1-1/2 length, drill a piece of wood/plastic, aluminum and epoxy them in and have the same thing as what amazon has there.

a marker for labeling the size/thread and you are done, (it is real easy to simply lay two bolts against each other, thread to thread, and you have a simple thread gauge)

I looked at buying a bunch of nuts/bolts and having them lying around. I think I would be very close to the cost here without any organization. Which I need more of.

 

[Ign]

The one I've got must be the same one as shown on Amazon but I got mine thru Enco or MSC. My only complaint is I wish it had M3 cause it seems like I often need to check for that.

But yeah, if it matters I pull out the calipers and thread pitch gages. Metric thread pitch gages are kinda hard to come by (most tap and die kits come only with fractional) so throw one in your cart if you order from Amazon - it'll only add a few bucks.

 

[92GreenYJ]

The "Thread Detective" sold by Rockler, seems to work for me, there are two sets; one is metric in red, the other is Imperial(American)Black in color.

http://www.rockler.com/thread-detective-screw-gauge

Ditto on these. I just got both sets myself not too long ago to help me sort my mountain of loose hardware into the new personal hardware store in the garage.

 

[Dan5speight]

metric pitch gauges are pointless really as they don't have a tpi count they just have a standard count between threads as opposed to a set number of threads over the 1' distance. I find it easy to tell the metric stuff apart from all the other odd ball stuff I work with. I guess this is due to the fact ive grown up with metric, when learning engineering at college I was told " you'll never have to know imperial" as there old hat no one uses them any more. lol the facility I work at now is 150yr old so we use everything

 

[commonut]

I use the thread detective from Rockler, have had it for about 3 years now and couldn't be happier.

 

[Mstrfxit12]

I have one of these hanging in my garage. Wroks well. Little pricey, You can get pretty much the same thing through amazon for about $15-17 cheaper.
http://new.grainger.com/product/Thread-Measuring-Gauge-1TU58?s_pp=false

 

[shockwave]

I would look at kastar thread restoring kits they are easy to identify once u find the right thread pitch and the will not damage existing thread like taps can.

Also look at a thread pitch gauge I usually use the one that comes with the Irwin tap kits

 

[Jim C.]

I just use an old thread pitch gauge that belonged to my grandfather. Good quailty used gauges, made in the USA, by top notch manufacturers (Starrett, Brown & Sharpe, etc.) are fairly common and affordable on the used tool market. They're compact and accurate. That would probably be my first choice.

Jim C.

 

[kythri]

I bought something similar to this:

http://www.threadtoolsupply.com/wall-mounted-thread-checker.html

From my local True Value Co-Op. Hillman was the brand, it was $60 I believe.

Same thing as what they hang on the racks/walls in the fastener section at the store. It was a special order, took a few weeks for them to get the product rep to order it for them, but totally work it.

 

[machine_punk]

I really like the model posted by the OP. I bought that one simply because it was the one they have hanging at Ace Hardware, in the hardware aisle. If it can stand up to that sort of abuse and still be usable, it must be good. I got tired of having to remember to take my bolts and nuts with me to check their size. I also like that the screw sizes are engraved in this model. The one with the red and black balls on each sample look like they are simply printed on...which seems like they might eventually wear off.

I have been very pleased with this model...
View media item 12651
NOTE, however, that they sell three models. One just metric, one just standard, and one with metric and standard. The combination model DOES NOT have all the threads of the individual models. So, if you work with a lot of obtuse hardware, you may be better off buying both the metric and standard models. I have the combination model, and have not had any problems, with the routine hardware I tend to use.

The same company also sells the same model you see at Home Depot, which I would like to have, but it would take up a lot of room on the wall in my tiny garage...
View media item 13391

 

[Outlawmws]

I looked at buying a bunch of nuts/bolts and having them lying around. I think I would be very close to the cost here without any organization. Which I need more of.

You can probably get most of them from your handy dandy collection of old fasteners, and only worry about buying the odd ones... (If needed)

And you don't need the nuts at all; a nut can be threaded onto the mounted bolts, and the bolts can be slapped against the matching bolt for confirmation.

 

[Outlawmws]

metric pitch gauges are pointless really as they don't have a tpi count they just have a standard count between threads as opposed to a set number of threads over the 1' distance. I find it easy to tell the metric stuff apart from all the other odd ball stuff I work with. I guess this is due to the fact ive grown up with metric, when learning engineering at college I was told " you'll never have to know imperial" as there old hat no one uses them any more. lol the facility I work at now is 150yr old so we use everything

They still have a pitch; its just measured in mm between the points.

 

[paul2112]

How about this?
http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Nut-And-Bolt-Sizer/

 

[DenisG]

I would like a thread checker where you can screw in a bolt or nut and get the size.

I found this, wondering if there is anything more expensive but better/less expensive but similar etc.

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

In other words, what do you recommend.

I usually use a thread gauge and and digital calipers to identify uncommon bolts, but you can use an inexpensive tap & die set to identify unknown threads. Plus, plus tap & die sets usually come with a thread gauge and you can use them to chase munged threads.