1/4 40 tip lock but

Johnlukes · Dec 29, 2018

Hi all,
My plans require a locknut 1/4 x 40 tpi, thought it would be straight forward to get on line and order a few, but although it would be possible to buy a tap and make a nut, nobody seems to sell this size, at least not on-line. In fact when I look through my Zeus book, I can’t find reference to a nut this size. it isn’t UNF, and I don’t know what other thread type it might be.
I would ring the fastener shops, but being Xmas, they’re all shut!
Not a massive deal, but thought I ask if anyone knows something I don’t..
Thanks
John
UK

TonyM · Dec 29, 2018

You might find a locknut in steam fittings supplies. That's the sort of fitting size used on model boilers. Worst case you can buy a fitting and turn it to length.. They are most likely in brass though
Like this https://www.ekpsupplies.com/brass-union-nuts.html

Andrew Stroud · Dec 29, 2018

1/4" x 40 tpi sounds like a Model Engineer (ME) thread

goldstar31 · Dec 29, 2018

It's the classic and very useful 40TPI Model Engineers thread. The other one is 32TPI ME

As you go through with model engineering you will come across 1/4" 40 TPI which is a means of measuring.
A dial with 25 divisions equated to one thous per division.

It doesn't really answer your question but that is what it is really about.

So if you are still working in 'Imperial', you arm yourself with a die, appropriate taps and drills- for future needs.

Norm

GRAYHIL · Dec 29, 2018

TonyM said:
You might find a locknut in steam fittings supplies. That's the sort of fitting size used on model boilers. Worst case you can buy a fitting and turn it to length.. They are most likely in brass though
Like this https://www.ekpsupplies.com/brass-union-nuts.html

GRAYHIL · Dec 29, 2018

That company also do .25 x 40tpi model engineering taps!
as do many others in the UK.
Search EBAY for Model Engineering taps.
Graham

spacy · Dec 29, 2018

where in the UK are you, happy to knock you one up as they are not a commercial item. Send me a PM for contact details

GailInNM · Dec 29, 2018

In the USA they are in quite common usage as nuts for Switchcraft products such as charging jacks and mounting nuts for mounting nuts for small toggle switches from many manufactures.
Here is an eBay listing for replacement plated brass nuts.

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5338413729&icep_item=380843769059

Gail in NM

TonyM · Dec 30, 2018

Good shout Gail. Seems pretty standard in UK too.
They are available from RS in the UK https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/products/7874794/

goldstar31 · Dec 30, 2018

From Tracy Tools in the UK a basic tap is only a couple of quid i.e. £2.
I looked for Model Engineer( ME) in their lists.
Of course, the difficulty might be how to get them 'across the Pond.'

Norm

Johnlukes · Dec 30, 2018

Thanks all for the ideas. I am going for the buy a tap and make your own option - have just ordered the tap. I think that I would worry they the switch locknuts wouldn’t be sufficiently wide, this is to hold a gear on a crankshaft after all, and I want to make sure I get a snug fitting thread and a nut of adequate width.
Thanks again
John

Jennifer Edwards · Dec 30, 2018

Johnlukes said:
Hi all,
My plans require a locknut 1/4 x 40 tpi, thought it would be straight forward to get on line and order a few, but although it would be possible to buy a tap and make a nut, nobody seems to sell this size, at least not on-line. In fact when I look through my Zeus book, I can’t find reference to a nut this size. it isn’t UNF, and I don’t know what other thread type it might be.
I would ring the fastener shops, but being Xmas, they’re all shut!
Not a massive deal, but thought I ask if anyone knows something I don’t..
Thanks
John
UK

Hi John,

I am building a beam engine that requires a few different imperial threaded fittings including a 1/4 x 40 TPI one. Rather than switch to similar metric sizes I thought I would single point the male bits and use bottoming taps for the internal threading.
I found sets of three taps available on Amazon.
I bought the entire set but they are available in sets of three (starting, finishing, and bottoming) in individual sizes too. Here is a link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01LY0TFQF/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Here is the 1/4 x 40 set:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01DW1G6SS/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Good luck with your project in the new year!
Jenny

comstock-friend · Dec 30, 2018

This is a useful book for playing this game. Pages 86-87 of this edition has the Model Engineer Standard (M.E.) and Special Fine Threads chart. ME 40 and 32 tpi taps and dies are readily available, ebay and brick and mortar stores (especially in the UK).

Johnlukes · Dec 31, 2018

Jennifer Edwards said:
Hi John,

I am building a beam engine that requires a few different imperial threaded fittings including a 1/4 x 40 TPI one. Rather than switch to similar metric sizes I thought I would single point the male bits and use bottoming taps for the internal threading.
I found sets of three taps available on Amazon.
I bought the entire set but they are available in sets of three (starting, finishing, and bottoming) in individual sizes too. Here is a link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01LY0TFQF/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Here is the 1/4 x 40 set:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01DW1G6SS/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Good luck with your project in the new year!
Jenny

Thanks Jenny, I ordered a set from RDG before I saw your post.
happy new year

1/4 40 tip lock but

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