BS: threads

Subject: BS: threads
From: PHJim
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 02:03 PM

How do I post a thread in the BS section of Mudcat. I put the "BS:" in front of my topic, but it still appears "above the line".

Subject: RE: BS: threads
From: artbrooks
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 02:10 PM

Select "BS" in the 'common prefix' box, and it should go there directly. But not to worry - a Moderator will move your stuff down before long.

Subject: RE: BS: threads
From: Jeri
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 02:25 PM

If you did what artbrooks suggested and the thread still appeared above the line, it may be a glitch in the system. Please let us know.

I moved the thread to the non-music end. (Jeri, a volunteer)

Subject: RE: BS: threads
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 02:37 PM

And on musical threads of a sort. I'm toying with making a desk mic stand and I looked up the threads and found:

5/8 x 27 UNS
3/8 x 16 BSW
1/4 x 20 BSW (also camera tripod mounting)

3/8 x 16 is the one I want and taps and dies are easy enough to find cheaply (set of 3 carbon steel taps and a die cost me £10).

I'm glad I didn't want the UNS (Unified special) thread as the only UK suppliers I found quoted a RRP of about £70 for a single tap, although one was offering one for around £25 and unlike the BSW ones, I doubt if this thread is used for much other than mic stands.

Subject: RE: BS: threads
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 03:08 PM

The BSW threads are a British Standard Pipe Thread, Whitworth form, which implies a "straight thread." I'm not sure what the Brits do, but in the US nearly all actual plumbing uses a tapered thread for easier sealing on "common pipe threads," and if that's the case BSW tools in that specific size are probably somewhat "special."

The UNS is an "originally US" standard, and is approved for international use by most other (esp NATO) nations, but the "S" on the end indicates a "special" configuration that may be a little harder to find tooling for.

A 1/4 x 20 UNC (1/4-20UNC) probably would be very close to the 1/4 x 20 BSW, and is very much a common standard in the US; but the "misfit" might be questionable due to the frequent use of "soft metals" (and plastics?) for sound equipment hardware. The "flank angle" on the threads would be expected to be about 5 degrees different, which might or might not be a problem depending on the "precision level" of the parts you need to mount.

As you seem to have the problem parts well in hand, this is superfluous information, so I didn't check the finer points.

John

Subject: RE: BS: threads
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 03:20 PM

The plumbing thread for domestic pipework is BSP, a parallel thread. There is also a taper pipe thread but I've not encountered it in odd jobs around the house.

There are a couple of online shops like RDG Tools which have most threads I may want some day (although not UNS).

I've got to have a go at threading on the lathe sometime too.

Subject: RE: BS: threads
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 04:07 PM

Threading on a lathe is a bit tricky sometimes, but once you get a setup figured out it works pretty well. The real trick is getting exactly the right "nose" on the cutting tool if you want a really accurate thread. A geared (selectable) connection between spindle rotation and tool carriage axial traverse is pretty much necessary. I doubt that I'd attempt it on one of the "continuously variable speed" lathes, and some older geared traverse ones always seem to require "one more gear" to swap in to get the pitch you want.

The common UN (Unified National) threads are UNC and UNF. A UNS means a "special" and nearly always is a fine pitch (more turns per inch) than one of the standards. There's little difference other than tolerances between NC/NF and UNC/UNF threads, and the "U" is unlikely (even here) to be specified except for aircraft or other critical uses, although it's a little more common for "deviant" pitches that depart from the conventional Coarse/Fine standard pitches.

John

Subject: RE: BS: threads
From: Bill D
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 04:14 PM

Be glad you did not need a ¼" BSF thread! (British Standard Fine) I have a lathe made by Myford which needs a bolt or stud of that type to disassemble the headstock and replace grease. I have looked all over the USA, and have emailed Myford.... and today I find theyhave gone out of business. Sale was a month ago.

Myford Limited,Wilmot Lane
Chilwell Road
Beeston
Nottingham
NG9 1ER

Subject: RE: BS: threads
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 04:42 PM

That's bad news Bill. I hadn't realised Myford were in trouble!

As for 1/4 BSF. I think RDG I linked to before and Chronos ship to the US and would have a suitable die.

I've found a couple of places with 1/4 BSF steel studding but they don't seem to ship to the US.

Subject: RE: BS: threads
From: JennieG
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 06:43 PM

I have several boxes of threads, which I use for different methods of sewing and quilting. They range from the pretty and sparkly to the utilitarian beige.

All our clothing would fall apart without threads.....

Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: BS: threads
From: Bill D
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 07:47 PM

Thank you Jon... I may just have to try them...

Subject: RE: BS: threads
From: artbrooks
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 08:56 PM

But where are the dragons, when you need them to eat thread?

Subject: RE: BS: threads
From: ranger1
Date: 19 Aug 11 - 01:12 PM

Art, they're still on Pern, I think.

Subject: RE: BS: threads
From: Bill D
Date: 24 Aug 11 - 02:45 PM

AMAZING! I changed my search terms a bit and found this site for a company 50 miles from me! They are sending 2 pieces they will do what I need...and free!

I said "You wouldn't believe how hard it is to find this thread.."
He said, "Yes, I would...I get calls like this every day!"

I was braced for another "hmmm...sorry", so now I am almost giddy with excitement....(excited? over a couple of screws? *grin*...yup!)

Subject: RE: BS: threads
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 24 Aug 11 - 03:04 PM

Nice find. They seem to have a huge range of stuff there.

Hope they keep your lathe happy for a good while.

Subject: RE: BS: threads
From: Noreen
Date: 24 Aug 11 - 05:06 PM

What a fascinating ...err... thread!

It's only right to get excited about a screw, Bill :)

Subject: RE: BS: threads
From: Bill D
Date: 24 Aug 11 - 07:46 PM

"...when he finally found one, she had a left-hand thread!"

(punchline to a very old joke)

Subject: RE: BS: threads
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 25 Aug 11 - 12:01 AM

It's all the fault of th'Reds under the bed...

Subject: RE: BS: threads
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 25 Aug 11 - 01:01 PM

And I used my 3/16 BSW tap and die today.

Got to find some rubber things to go on the legs, it's a bit of a mix of materials, made a few mistakes, want to make a boom part, need to polish it, etc but I got this far with my attempt at a mic stand.

Subject: RE: BS: threads
From: Bill D
Date: 25 Aug 11 - 05:24 PM

Nice, Jon! If we weren't several thousand miles apart, I'd offer you an old camera tripod with a boom that looks adaptable. (I bever throw away anything, even if it take years to find a use)

I get 'rubber things' from my hardware store, classified as different sized crutch tips. I use them as pressure devices on my lathe to keep from marring a surface. (Crutch tips are often better made than furniture leg covers)

Subject: RE: BS: threads
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 25 Aug 11 - 05:46 PM

Thanks Bill. I don't think I've seen crutch tips (I think Pip calls them ferrules btw) as small as 1/2 diameter.

As for not throwing things out, I'm pretty pretty bad although once every few years, I do have a drastic clear out. I might start holding on to even more stuff though. With the lathe, etc. a lump of metal is now material...

Subject: RE: BS: threads
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 25 Aug 11 - 05:47 PM

(1/2" internal diameter)

Subject: RE: BS: threads
From: Bill D
Date: 25 Aug 11 - 06:00 PM

Oh, I have seen them that small...at least they were in bins labeled that way. Perhaps very few of the 1/2" sort ever get used AS crutch tips, but I use that size almost daily. (I think I have seen small canes with tips that small)

(ferrules, to me, are metal... and used to keep wood handles from splitting. I use/make them for lathe tools)

Subject: RE: BS: threads
From: Noreen
Date: 25 Aug 11 - 06:14 PM

What a funny word is ferrule...

ferrules on Amazon

Subject: RE: BS: threads
From: Bill D
Date: 25 Aug 11 - 06:24 PM

ahhh...but I see on Wikipedia they agree with my basic concept.

"A ferrule (a corruption of Latin viriola "small bracelet," under the influence of ferrum "iron.") Used a word for 'tips' of things seems to be a recent adaptation.

Subject: RE: BS: threads
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 25 Aug 11 - 06:25 PM

Thanks Noreen. I may have found what I want here I haven't checked yet but I'd imagine there is a minimum order. Maybe I'll work out an assortment...

Subject: RE: BS: threads
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 25 Aug 11 - 06:57 PM

Almost any small hardware store here has "chair tips" or "crutch tips" that slip on over the outside of a tube and "close the hole." The chair tips usually are plastic, with a smooth (slick) end, while crutch tips generally are rubber and have a "tread pattern" so they won't slip on the ground in use.

Plugs to slip inside the tube and close the hole up are a little harder to find, possibly because for a best fit you really want to match both the ID (so it will stay in) and the OD so that you don't have a rim to catch on things and pull it out; but should be available for common tube sizes if you look around.

You just have to keep track of where the best-stocked shops are in your area.

John

Subject: RE: BS: threads
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 03:05 PM

And fwiw, I've got to finish it but I had a go at making the other bit today. Wanted to try the 4 jaw chuck and some square bar. It came out like this