Looking for 6-32 Threaded Screws in the UK

[Watson A.Name - 'Watt Sun']

[snip]

It's 5-40, and it hasn't disappeared yet. 3-48 I still occasionally see too.

Sizes 7, 9, and 11 really have disappeared.

I'd say so! I've never seen an example of any of those sizes, and
I've seen a lotta screws. I remember that one screw size was
specified as a fractional inch, like 1/4x20, but it was also specified
as a 13, I think it was.

When you come to think about it, it's odd that the U.S. screws were
given numbers that were not directly related to a physical size. Like
an M3 metric screw is actually a 3 mm diameter. Well, the U.S. screws
could've been spec'd in thousandths of inches, like a #6 screw would
be something like 140-32 which would be 140 thousandths inch diameter.
In any case, you get the idea. Something much less counterintuitive
that would make it unnecessary for you to look up a screw size in some
obscure chart.

Tim.

--
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Don't be ripped off by the big book dealers. Go to the URL
that will give you a choice and save you money(up to half).
http://www.everybookstore.com You'll be glad you did!
Just when you thought you had all this figured out, the gov't
changed it: http://physics.nist.gov/cuu/Units/binary.html
@@t@h@e@@a@f@f@l@u@e@n@t@@m@e@e@t@@t@h@e@@E@f@f@l@u@e@n@t@@

 

[Tim Shoppa]

I'd say so! I've never seen an example of any of those sizes, and
I've seen a lotta screws. I remember that one screw size was
specified as a fractional inch, like 1/4x20, but it was also specified
as a 13, I think it was.

Occasionally I still see #14 stove bolts, which are pretty close to 1/4-20.

When you come to think about it, it's odd that the U.S. screws were
given numbers that were not directly related to a physical size. Like
an M3 metric screw is actually a 3 mm diameter. Well, the U.S. screws
could've been spec'd in thousandths of inches, like a #6 screw would
be something like 140-32 which would be 140 thousandths inch diameter.
In any case, you get the idea. Something much less counterintuitive
that would make it unnecessary for you to look up a screw size in some
obscure chart.

The "US" number system actually makes a lot of sense as a kind of logarithmic
scale. Sort-of like resistor values but instead of expressing the actual
value you state the position in the series...

Tim.

 

[Watson A.Name - 'Watt Sun']

Occasionally I still see #14 stove bolts, which are pretty close to 1/4-20.


The "US" number system actually makes a lot of sense as a kind of logarithmic
scale. Sort-of like resistor values but instead of expressing the actual
value you state the position in the series...

At least it ain't as bad as wire gauges, which are backwards - larger
wire has a smaller number.

Maybe someday the forces of conformity will take over and the U.S.
will go to metric (Yeah, I know, I'm dreaming).

Like someone else said about the russian equipment that had some
obscure numbers which were in reality a garden hose fitting, maybe
someday the U.S. screws will all be given some metric numbers, and
everything will be thrown in together. Then over time all us old
farts will die off and the newer old farts will say, what's this doing
here? Let's just forget it. And they'll float forever into
obscurity. Nothing like obscurity to take care of things.

Tim.

--
@@F@r@o@m@@O@r@a@n@g@e@@C@o@u@n@t@y@,@@C@a@l@,@@w@h@e@r@e@@
###Got a Question about ELECTRONICS? Check HERE First:###
http://users.pandora.be/educypedia/electronics/databank.htm
My email address is whitelisted. *All* email sent to it
goes directly to the trash unless you add NOSPAM in the
Subject: line with other stuff. alondra101 <at> hotmail.com
Don't be ripped off by the big book dealers. Go to the URL
that will give you a choice and save you money(up to half).
http://www.everybookstore.com You'll be glad you did!
Just when you thought you had all this figured out, the gov't
changed it: http://physics.nist.gov/cuu/Units/binary.html
@@t@h@e@@a@f@f@l@u@e@n@t@@m@e@e@t@@t@h@e@@E@f@f@l@u@e@n@t@@

 

[Hal Murray]

Maybe someday the forces of conformity will take over and the U.S.

will go to metric (Yeah, I know, I'm dreaming).

It's happening.

A friend in the auto industry told me that all their new design work
is metric. That was many years ago. That alone will make sure
that tools and screws/nuts etc are easy to get. Local hardware
stores now carry metric screws...

Many of the drawings for packages come with both inch and metric
dimensions, and often with a note like "controlling dimensions
are metric". CAD tools often support mixed units...

 

[David Lesher]

Hello,

First of all, apologies for the off-topic question but I thought some of you
may be able to help. I'm looking for "6-32" threaded screws, whatever that
means.

I once spent the better part of a day in Bogota seeking Metric machine
screws, so you have my sympathy. At least you speak the clerk's
language!

 

[David Lesher]

However 6-32 bolts are readily available (for a bit
more money), from all the aviation suppliers. Basically probably 75% of the
World's aircraft, use the UNC threads, and hence these sizes are readily
available.

Well, sort of... one of the 'bad uncle' issues with the International
Space Station, is that it's half metric and half SAE [Society of
Automotive Engineers -- the standards body for UNC/UNF etc.]

Don't Ask how that came about; I don't know and don't want to..!

 

[David Lesher]

What I find is that the American NF sizes which are the finest
pitch, are still much coarser than the metric pitches.

There is also NS -- National Special. It's finer than NF.
One use I recall: the thread on Icom Rubber Ducky antennas was NS.

 

[Costas Vlachos]

I once spent the better part of a day in Bogota seeking Metric machine
screws, so you have my sympathy. At least you speak the clerk's
language!

Hehe... Well, finally I managed to find them in the UK... Not a great
selection, but better than nothing. Also, the screws used in PC hard drives
are also 6-32, so a visit to a computer shop should be enough for small
quantities...

cheers,
Costas

 

[Fred Abse]

Farnell and RS (I'm based in the UK) and they mostly
< have the standard ISO Metric (M3, M4, etc.) screws. I can also find screws
< in some weird specs like BA, Imperial (BSW, UNC)

6-32 screws *are* UNC. Small UNC/UNF sizes go by numbers. 6-32UNC is size
6, with 32 threads per inch, UNC thread shape.

You should be able to get 6-32UNC from Newark, via Farnell (same company).
They'll probably charge for shipping from the US.

I bet RS have them, too.

BA (British Association) screws are something else altogether.