Mystery square nuts

This topic has 12 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 17 August 2017 at 16:50 by Neil Wyatt.

Viewing 13 posts - 1 through 13 (of 13 total)

Author

Posts
16 August 2017 at 21:27 #312403
Bodger Brian
Participant
@bodgerbrian
In the box where I keep the change wheels for my mini-lathe, I recently found a handful of square nuts. I think they're imperial sized, 3/8" square x 1/8" thick with a thread size that I have no way of measuring.

I'm fairly sure they are related to the lathe in some way but the big question is – what are they for?

I think I can feel a 'Doh!" moment coming soon….

Brian
Advert

16 August 2017 at 21:27 #8834
Bodger Brian
Participant
@bodgerbrian
Mini lathe parts?
16 August 2017 at 21:37 #312408
Nicholas Farr
Participant
@nicholasfarr14254
Hi Brian, could possibly be 1/4" Whitworth nuts for gutter bolts, or more commonly called roofing bolts nowadays **LINK**

Regards Nick.
16 August 2017 at 21:40 #312409
Harry Wilkes
Participant
@harrywilkes58467
Same thought came to me when I read Brian's description of the nuts

H
16 August 2017 at 21:41 #312410
Bodger Brian
Participant
@bodgerbrian
Nick – potentially, yes. But I'm sure they're related to the lathe in some way, as a) there are no other non-lathe related parts with the other bits & bobs & b) I've never had the need to buy or possess gutter bolts.

Brian
16 August 2017 at 21:51 #312413
Nicholas Farr
Participant
@nicholasfarr14254
Hi Brian, it's just the thickness of 1/8" that made me think of gutter bot nuts.

Regards Nick.
16 August 2017 at 23:17 #312425
Brian G
Participant
@briang
Quick check is to try and fit an M6 bolt into them. If it looks like it will go but locks up solid, odds are it is 1/4 BSW.

I speak with the voice of bitter experience here, on taking over another company one of our storemen put all their 1/4 Whit hex nuts into the same bins as our M6. Luckily most of our stock (around a million nuts) was in sacks, but it was cheaper to scrap our loose stock than sort them.

Another Brian
17 August 2017 at 00:37 #312430
Martin W
Participant
@martinw
Brian

Could they be for securing the gear axles/studs to the banjo and fit in a slot at the back of the banjo, square so they don't rotate when the axles/studs are tightened.

Just a thought

Cheers
17 August 2017 at 01:39 #312433
Enough!
Participant
@enough
Is hardware for a mini-lathe likely to be imperial-sized?
17 August 2017 at 07:42 #312441
not done it yet
Participant
@notdoneityet
If only 1/8" thick, they may well be nuts used in glass house construction where the nuts and bolts were rather smaller than the usual guttering/roofing articles.
17 August 2017 at 08:17 #312449
Bodger Brian
Participant
@bodgerbrian
Posted by Martin W on 17/08/2017 00:37:47:

Could they be for securing the gear axles/studs to the banjo and fit in a slot at the back of the banjo, square so they don't rotate when the axles/studs are tightened.

Thanks for the suggestion. I can't check it at the moment as I'm at work but definitely something to investigate later.

Brian
17 August 2017 at 08:19 #312450
Bodger Brian
Participant
@bodgerbrian
Posted by Bandersnatch on 17/08/2017 01:39:28:

Is hardware for a mini-lathe likely to be imperial-sized?

In my naivety, I assumed it was but now you mention it….

Must check out other fastenings this evening.

Brian
17 August 2017 at 16:50 #312546
Neil Wyatt
Moderator
@neilwyatt
Similar nuts are supplied with some small vertical slides instead of t-nuts, they have an M6 thread IIRC.
Author

Posts