Mystery square nuts

[Bodger BrianParticipant @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

[Bodger BrianParticipant @bodgerbrian]

Mini lathe parts?

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Hi Brian, could possibly be 1/4" Whitworth nuts for gutter bolts, or more commonly called roofing bolts nowadays **LINK**

Regards Nick.

[Harry WilkesParticipant @harrywilkes58467]

Same thought came to me when I read Brian's description of the nuts

H

[Bodger BrianParticipant @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

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Hi Brian, it's just the thickness of 1/8" that made me think of gutter bot nuts.

Regards Nick.

[Brian GParticipant @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

[Martin WParticipant @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

[Enough!Participant @enough]

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

[not done it yetParticipant @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.

[Bodger BrianParticipant @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

[Bodger BrianParticipant @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

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Similar nuts are supplied with some small vertical slides instead of t-nuts, they have an M6 thread IIRC.

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