No Screwing Around

[Beachside Hank]

Once upon a time I could tell a 6- 32 from an 8-32 screw laying on a bench halfway across the shop. These days I’m lucky to see the bench at all, so I got me one of those thread checkers, and now my spare time task is to sort my fastener collection. If I’m waiting for paint to dry or glue to set or am just plain bored, I sit down and sort using an egg carton to help classify species- even metric gets some respect nowadays too. It helps to know what nut or screw thread is needed and going to the right one the first time without trying a dozen or more lookalikes before finding the one you need.

 

[Zeke]

Once upon a time I could tell a 6- 32 from an 8-32 screw laying on a bench halfway across the shop. These days I’m lucky to see the bench at all, so I got me one of those thread checkers, and now my spare time task is to sort my fastener collection. If I’m waiting for paint to dry or glue to set or am just plain bored, I sit down and sort using an egg carton to help classify species- even metric gets some respect nowadays too. It helps to know what nut or screw thread is needed and going to the right one the first time without trying a dozen or more lookalikes before finding the one you need.

Where's the fun in that?

Speaking of screws, I'm interested in buying vintage slotted wood screws, mostly flathead. The don't have to be brass but they shouldn't be too rusty.

 

[Strouty]

Agreed, where did you get your thread gauges? I have one, but it is both metric and standard together on one string. It gets cumbersome to say the least.

 

[67carl]

I found one on-line but it seems kinda pricey. Is it?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0054JRH8A/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Found another that has both:

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

 

[tcianci]

I can't even see the thread gauge anymore!!!

 

[Ross/Kzoo]

I found one on-line but it seems kinda pricey. Is it?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0054JRH8A/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Found another that has both:

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

I really do need to get myself one of those.

 

[coljar]

The last time I was over to Fastenal, I got the standard and metric gauge and a drill gauge and a couple others. They were nice well made gauges and they just gave them to me even though they knew it was for home use, but my work place is their major customer.

 

[FORMUD]

After I couldn't clearly see which thread count matched my gauge before I ws going tapped something the other day. So I finally broke down and got my self a pair of reading glasses and do you know what.......I can see small objects again!!!!!
The first step is admitting your old and can't see **** any more.
I'm a little worried what the next step is going to be.

 

[NHBandit]

Once upon a time I could tell a 6- 32 from an 8-32 screw laying on a bench halfway across the shop. These days I’m lucky to see the bench at all, so I got me one of those thread checkers, and now my spare time task is to sort my fastener collection. If I’m waiting for paint to dry or glue to set or am just plain bored, I sit down and sort using an egg carton to help classify species- even metric gets some respect nowadays too. It helps to know what nut or screw thread is needed and going to the right one the first time without trying a dozen or more lookalikes before finding the one you need.

I went through that a couple years ago sorting hardware only I had the added benefit of having a bunch of freshly cad plated British Whitworth stuff in the mix as well. Since I closed up my part time Triumph restoration hobby a few years back I just bagged all that stuff up and sold it on Ebay.

 

[Beachside Hank]

After I couldn't clearly see which thread count matched my gauge before I ws going tapped something the other day. So I finally broke down and got my self a pair of reading glasses and do you know what.......I can see small objects again!!!!!
The first step is admitting your old and can't see **** any more.
I'm a little worried what the next step is going to be.

Umm, it might contain the word “flaccid” in it.

 

[Torque1st]

Umm, it might contain the word “flaccid” in it.

Damn that is COLD!!!

I have been wearing reading glasses for over 35 years and the 'flaccid' part hasn't started yet, -so don't worry too much.

CRS will appear much sooner.