Imperial tee bolts for Myford?

[MuzzerParticipant @muzzer]

It's more difficult to get non-metric fasteners these days, apart from via hobby suppliers and a few specialists, as industry outside the US is pretty much exclusively metric these days. Makes for a lot simpler life!

I had the somewhat bizarre opposite experience when living in N America recently – metric fasteners for my own work were in limited supply locally, even though we designed all our products using the metric system at work. If our products had been made in the US instead of the Far East, perhaps we would have had to use imperial. Glad to be back in the Real World again!

Murray

[Ex contributorParticipant @mgnbuk]

It's more difficult to get non-metric fasteners these days

Quite easy to get BSW, BSF, UNC & UNF cap screws, grub screws, set screws & bolts from Cromwell Tools in a wide range of sizes. Delivery has always been ex-stock (same as metric) when I have had cause to have to get any.

Don't recall seeing Imperial Myford tee nuts in the catalogue, though.

Nigel B

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Posted by Nigel B on 16/08/2017 19:23:59:

Quite easy to get BSW, BSF, UNC & UNF cap screws, grub screws, set screws & bolts from Cromwell Tools

Here you go then,

5/16 BSF for 100 off

M5 for 200 off at about 1/6th the price. (sorry used a fraction there I mean 0.16666666667)

you did want to use a lot of bolts for security didn't you.

[MuzzerParticipant @muzzer]

Although you might not buy all your fixings from somewhere like RS, they illustrate my point quite well. Look at their hex socket fasteners and click on the "thread size" filter. You can then see how many imperial and metric products they stock – 24 out of 941 are imperial.

Murray

[MeunierParticipant @meunier]

I seem to remember a series in MEW couple of years ago by a N.American guy who was rejuvenating either a DoreWestbury or GHT tapping tool remarking that it was becoming more difficult in the U.S to source Imperial bearings in the required sizes due to reduced size range while Metric had better choice.
DaveD

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

Forgive me for pointing out that M5 is less than a 1/4" while 5/16 is more. M8 is more like equivalent.

I use Cromwell tools in Peterborough but just 50m down the road is Sterling Nut & Bolt. Sterling carry almost all you might need. Expense was not mentioned, only availability. Sterling have only failed me once in the last couple of years. They only had 1 1/4" x 3/16" grub screws and I needed 1 1/2".

All their products are of known origin and certificated, if required. More expensive – yes – but easily available. I can buy cheap, but if I want a guaranteed good product I go to the specialist.

[Richard S2Participant @richards2]

Variety of Fixing types,sizes and quantities are still available in UK. Some may be aware of them and I get most of what I need from Namricks. Usual disclaimer.

I'm Metric at one end of the Workshop and Inch standard at the other.

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

In a couple of years or so you will only be allowed to use imperial threads in UK, metric will be banned.

Ian S C

[Richard S2Participant @richards2]

Posted by Ian S C on 18/08/2017 04:34:40:

In a couple of years or so you will only be allowed to use imperial threads in UK, metric will be banned.

Ian S C

I use the old thread forms most of the time anyway, due to my habit of rescuing older machines and engines.

Talking of Myford T-Nut material (sold in 8 inch lengths initially), I remembered I had one I bought 30 years ago. Could it be a collector's item now ?

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Posted by Ian S C on 18/08/2017 04:34:40:

In a couple of years or so you will only be allowed to use imperial threads in UK, metric will be banned.

Ian S C

You too Ian. The plan is to restore the British Empire and get you colonials working for us. Someone has to keep us in the style to which we have become accustomed.

[HillclimberParticipant @hillclimber]

In my multi-dimensional space, I frequently rely on Namrick, GWR and good old fleabay to provide what is needed. The former if I have a variety of pieces I need, the last if I just need a couple of 'em or odd sizes.

But in terms of my immediate problem, I decided I just had to bite the bullet and make some. I found 5/16 bsf threaded rod – but now Myford are out of stock on tee-strip! RDG has 'unfinished' tee-strip, but I cant see that is any easier than just starting with bar material.

So if anyone has a further alternative, please….

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

If it makes any difference, Cromwell prices are Ex VAT, and Sterling Nut and Bolt have a minimum order value; from memory £5 + VAT, so £6 to the likes of us.

Probably other suppliers will have similar policies

Howard

[Martin DowingParticipant @martindowing58466]

I have turned 8 tees from a round bar on my ML7.

4 was done in C45 (EN8?) and another 4 in increased tensile strenght stainless.

22mm round bars were used

Then, using vertical slide, I have milled shoulders. Then M8 threads were cut with die and ready parts were chopped off chucking bits

So there was NO drilling holes, tapping or brazing, but still much more work.

Drawbacks: 2 days wasted.

Advantages: they seem undestructable.

[KWILParticipant @kwil]

By all make your own Tee strip, but make sure that the dimensions are correct to match the Myford T slots.

I can remember well a conversation held with old Myford during which it was said that they saw a not inconsiderable damage done to Myford T slots caused by the use of non Myford procured material.

Simples, just make sure it is the proper size and does not induly stress the undersides of the slots.

[Author]

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