Thread gauges

[larry phelan 1Participant @larryphelan1]

Good morning all,

I am looking for a simple thread gauge for American UNF/UNC threads.

I have seen a few on offer on Ebay described as “Pre owned” ie second hand, but for silly money.

I have checked out Alli Express, where Metric/Whit gauges can be had for as little as 3 Euro, but little mention of UNF/UNC type.

Any ideas ???

[Julie AnnParticipant @julieann]

I bought mine from here:

https://www.avontapdie.co.uk/screw-pitch-gauges

Julie

[larry phelan 1Participant @larryphelan1]

Thanks Julie, will keep them in mind, but still silly money.

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Maybe use the metric part to check the thread angle for a couple of turns at the end of the thread and the Whit for the pitch apart from the couple of odd numbers the yanks use.

[DC31kParticipant @dc31k]

Perhaps you could give us an indication of the shallowness of your pockets (£, s, d or new money will be OK, we can convert).

Success on the internet often depends on the correct search term.

Try this one for a prime tool for £10 landed on your doorstep:

ak72spg

[larry phelan 1Participant @larryphelan1]

Too shallow to measure !

Point i,m making is this ; 55/60 gauges are ten a penny and available everywhere.

Why are unf/unc so expensive ?

As a matter of fact,I do use both gauges to check, as suggested by Bazyle, just messy.

[larry phelan 1]

On larry phelan 1 Said:

..55/60 gauges are ten a penny and available everywhere.

Why are unf/unc so expensive?

There was a fellow called Adam Smith who had some thoughts on this matter.

Supply and demand.

Cross the pond and your question would likely be inverted.

[larry phelan 1Participant @larryphelan1]

Perhaps so but I did look up a few American outlets and was somewhat surprised at their prices since I assumed that they would be common over there.

However, my experience of trying to buy anything from America, is that the postage charges are WAY out of line, often costing more than the item involved.

However, all,s well that end,s well since I now know two places to try, so, my thanks to all

[Speedy Builder5Participant @speedybuilder5]

Here yer go:

 

[Robert Atkinson 2Participant @robertatkinson2]

Search for imperial and 60 rather than UNC

Ebay item https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/196134782518?

Seems to do most for just over £8

 

[noel shelleyParticipant @noelshelley55608]

Why can’t you use a whit gauge ? The numbers are mostly the same and if the angle is different it will be obvious. I’ve use a M&W dual metric / whit gauge for about 40 years it has the odd numbers 11,13,19 even 25 ! What more do you need. Noel.

[larry phelan 1Participant @larryphelan1]

Good morning Robert,

Yes I have seen those items on Ebay and may well end up with one. I was just surprised that there should be such a difference in price between two such similar items, but as another pointed out——Supply and Demand.

I have seen some of them being offered at £11, which I thought was a bit over the mark!. I n passing, I must say I have seldom found any problems with any items from Ali Express.

 

Interesting, since all most likely come from China anyway.

My thanks to everyone for their input, as they say ;Every little helps !

Noel, I just prefer to have the right tool for the job, rather than messing around

[PeteParticipant @pete41194]

I’d be hard pressed to ever think those prices as expensive. For perspective, the OP might want to check what the same costs from either Starrett or Mitutoyo.

[noel shelleyParticipant @noelshelley55608]

Hey Larry, what I have has done the job well for many years, I work with both UNC, UNF, plus NPTF, Metric, BSB, BSC, Whit, BSF, ME and as you have found, if you want the right tool without messing around then it may well prove costly. Noel.

PS. For BA I do use the right tool by M&W.

[larry phelan 1Participant @larryphelan1]

I think I would have to differ with Pete ! I doubt if anyone would buy a simple thread from Starrett or Mitutoyo for hobby work !, there are many suitable ones around at more affordable prices which do the job just as well.  We are talking about a simple piece of steel strip, not a Hi Tech cutter.

Noel, I too have done that, just found it a bit messy, that,s why I went looking for the “Right Tool”, never thought that there could or would be such a difference in price or so difficult to find. However one learns something new every day

As they say   Food for thought !

PS  My Whit and my Metric gauges both came from Ali Express many moons ago and I have yet to find fault with them but then, I dont do work for NASA.

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