Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Rich5ltr]

I guess like a lot of us I have an old biscuit tin in which I chuck old nuts & bolts and washers and stuff that I think may come in useful. My dad worked at Acton Depot so I used to have loads of stuff used for screwing tube trains together and as my brother and I stripped down cars we always keep the loose bolts but finally after 40 years I seem to be running out

I was just doing a job and needed a couple of countersunk threaded screws (bolts to you and me) with washers and nuts to match but couldn't find anything in any of my tins. I'm talking about old whitworth or BA threads for the Aston. I can't imaging popping round to Halfords or Homebase would help so where do you chaps look for thing like this? Oh I also need a wing nut which clamps down my jack handle, again it will be an imperial thread so finding one to match will be hard I presume?

Ideas?

[Kelsham]

Try Namrick of Brighton, I have purchased bolts from them in the past.

Regards Kels.

[Richard H]

I went over to a house last week which was up for sale after the owner (who was a bit of a hoarder) died. I was allowed to take what I liked, as the chap was into old cars and bikes there was loads of stuff there, including 25 boxes of old nuts, bolts, screws, nails, washers, pins, springs, fuses, bulbs...the list is endless. I also purchased a lathe and loads of other old stuff

I don't think I'll ever have to buy screws again!
_________________
Richard Hughes

[Rich5ltr]

Thanks Kels, someone else has also just recommended them so I guess they must be good!

[buzzy bee]

Engineering Stores at work, tend to have good links with suppliers, such as 50% discount on a certain leading brand of tools. Problem is I sold most of my power tools, as I can borrow whatever I need when I want it, just collected the stick welder for tomorow...

If you are ever stuck, give Crewe Engineering, in erm Crewe, a ring, they may not be the cheapest, but they will have just about everything.

Cheers

Dave

[Rick]

[Rich5ltr]

Well these Namrick people look good http://www.namrick.co.uk/ and seem to have wha I want - so my next question is; is there a guide to how to identify the type of thread I need? For example say I need a wing nut and have the stud it's got to screw onto, how do I know what to order? Old days I'd go into the screw shop and say I want one of these Doing it mail order means you need to know what you want... Ideas

[47Jag]

Rich,

What sizes are tools in your toolbox? If they are SAE the the fine thread are known as UNF and the coarse are UNC. If they are Imperial the fine threads are BSF and the coarse are Whitworth. Does this help?

Art

[Rich5ltr]

[buzzy bee]

Like this?

http://www.toolfastdirect.co.uk/acatalog/Moore_and_Wright_Screw_Pitch_Guages_.html

Then again, you may find cheaper on ebay.

[buzzy bee]

I enquired to pickup free to a good home a load of nuts and bolts, but I didn't have space for them, and would have needed a waggon to get them, they litterally filled a single garage too about 2 foot deep, in jam jars. I thought of the weight!

Should have had them!

[Jim.Walker]

This is not intended as comprehensive guide to recognising threads, but it may help.

Bolts and setscrews: Examine the head.
If there is a dimple about half the width of the hexagon it will be UNF or UNC. Easy to spot the thread pitch difference if you hold two side by side. UNF are the most common.
If the head has no markings it is MOST LIKELY BSF or Whitworth (most commonly BSF). Older British motorbikes may be Cycle Thread, which have BSF/W sized hexagons.
If the head has an "8" or "8.8" on it, it will be Metric. Again coarse and fine are available, but in this case Coarse is the most common.

Studs:
Have no markings if BSF/W, but Unified (UNF & UNC) should have a raised pip on the exposed end if original. Not sure about Metric, but some seem to have a dome on the end.

Nuts:
BSF and Whitworth are unmarked, but sometimes are only chamfered on on side.
UNF and UNC generally have an almost complete ring or groove in one face. Easy to spot once you find where to look. Alternatively, on larger nuts such as wheel nuts they may have a "nick" halfway down each point of the hexagon.
Metric nuts generally have the "8" or "8.8" mark like the bolts, but smaller ones may not be marked (because there is not room?)

Unfortunately, There are "b*****d" threads (I spent a lot of time trying to insert "*astar*, but the Forum will not allow it!) and modified fasteners which still cause trouble. There are of course threads such as Gas, BSP and BA etc., but they do not arise very often on light vehicles except for BA on older electrical components and speedos etc..

Here is a little tip that could be useful:
AF (Unified) and Metric spanners are marked with the Across Flats size (THAT is what AF means). If the threaded part of a Metric bolt slides neatly into the jaws of a good (say) 8mm metric spanner it is an 8mm bolt, even though the head takes a 13mm spanner. The same principle goes for Unified stock. Quick and useful if judging thread sizes is difficult. Of course Unified AF spanners may be used to gauge BSF and Whitworth too.
_________________
Quote from my late Dad:- You only need a woman and a car and you have all the problems you
are ever likely to want". Computers had not been invented then!

[Jim.Walker]

A little bit more!
I never mentioned that wing nuts and dome nuts etc. are not generally marked. The easy answer is to find a matching bolt and identify the bolt!
Jim.
_________________
Quote from my late Dad:- You only need a woman and a car and you have all the problems you
are ever likely to want". Computers had not been invented then!

[Nic Jarman]

I am lucky, I have 2 local suppliers. But as for identifying threads you could make up an idiot board (nothing personal) or get some thread gauges. The Morris is a mixure of BSF, BSW and metric.
_________________
1936 Morris 8 Series 1
1973 MGB roadster
1977 MG Midget 1500
Dax Rush

[poodge]

I don't know if you have any sort of model engineering supplier near you,but they stock BA in all manner of shapes and sizes.A bigger place might even have Whitworth and SAE sizes.Just a thought.