Hi Sam,

Since I live in a metric country I would of course say metric taps. But if you are going to build steam models using ME threads you will of course need ME taps (or BA if your models use them), and in the UK you can easily get steam fittings using ME threads. So check the drawings for the models you intend to build. I try to use metric threads instead of ME, but I do have a few ME taps.

As for manufacturer the best taps I have are from Dormer and Völkel, I also have a few serial taps from ARC.

Thor

Most designs of steam engine still use BA threads and sizes like 2BA, 5BA and 7BA all fit nicely onto standard imperial size diameters. So unles syou want to convert completely to metric materials and not just fasteners BA is still the way to go. Some ME sizes will also be needed for things like steam fittings.

But do't buy sets as you will find sizes like 3 BA are not very commonly used, better to buy individual sizes as and when needed. Separates also tend to be better quality than sets unles syou are buying name brands. Sets will also tend to contain a tap whrench and die stock which you probably have several of already so why buy more.

Mechman, 7BA fixings are harder to come by as the availability of the right size hex stock becomes harder to get.

Duncan, you can get metric fixings with smaller than standard heads but not at the price of cheap mass produced ones.

As an example this pic shows ISO M3 and M4 nuts in the middle with a couple of polly's machine cut nuts next to them. Plenty of small hex metric also available from the mainland European ME suppliers

Just like the ones in my photo above

Sam,

Your whitworth taps and dies are clearly obselete. bring them along to Doncaster and I will arrange disposal

Neil

> Having said that, 'bar turned' metric nuts are becoming more readily available which have the main chamfer on one side only.

bear in mind that some folk say the chamfered side is meant to go at the bottom so the nut doesn't spoil the paint.

Great thing about BA is the small, regular (0.9 times) steps in size make it easy to find one aht's close to scale for almost any small fixing.

I'll be using 0.275"AF hex for my M4 nuts. Pretty much the same as the commercial nuts I bought but decided not to use.

Andrew

When there is talk of chamfer side down, I think of blacksmith made square nuts, these are punched out of plate, and the "flat" side tends to be slightly concave, and if used flat side down either dig into wood, or don't seat down on a metal surface, hense the chamfer down.

Ian S C