Thread Checker PSA

[bluescapegoat]

I'm constantly seeing people ask what size bolts/nuts they have or need, and a common answer is "take them with you to the hardware store and get one that matches."

Do yourself a favor and buy a thread checker. There are a bunch of kinds. There are plastic ones, ones that are plates, little hand held jobbies. I have this one.

Then you can finally sort your coffee can of nuts and bolts and stop guessing. It's a quality of life thing, you won't regret it.

PSA over.

Next week: Taps and Dies

 

[Chris]

Now that's a helpful tool to have on hand!

Cheap too:

https://www.amazon.com/Giwaelro-Nut-Bolt-Thread-Checker/dp/B0CH3KVS9X/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[Apparition]

I'm constantly seeing people ask what size bolts/nuts they have or need, and a common answer is "take them with you to the hardware store and get one that matches."

Do yourself a favor and buy a thread checker. There are a bunch of kinds. There are plastic ones, ones that are plates, little hand held jobbies. I have this one.

Then you can finally sort your coffee can of nuts and bolts and stop guessing. It's a quality of life thing, you won't regret it.

View attachment 542418

PSA over.

Next week: Taps and Dies

I have both that one and a wall mounted one

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BOH69NY?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[bluescapegoat]

While we're on convenient things to hang on the wall to save you a ton of time in the long run, get yourself one of these (although that particular one is out of stock)

Not only does it tell you what size holes to drill for taps but it can serve as a quick conversion chart, especially with our TJs that are a mix of metric and standard.

13mm wrench feels a bit loose? Can't remember the next size down? Glance at the chart, 1/2", done.

 

[Rubiconned]

I've got 2 sets of thread checkers, one metric, one SAE. You should also get metric and standard THREAD GAUGES for those rare instances you find a fastener that fits nothing in your thread checkers.

 

[Zorba]

While we're on convenient things to hang on the wall to save you a ton of time in the long run, get yourself one of these (although that particular one is out of stock)

Not only does it tell you what size holes to drill for taps but it can serve as a quick conversion chart, especially with our TJs that are a mix of metric and standard.

13mm wrench feels a bit loose? Can't remember the next size down? Glance at the chart, 1/2", done.

View attachment 542422

I always wished these charts also had recommended CLEARANCE drill sizes as well. My local ACE has one of the wall mounted thread checkers, goes all the way down to at least #4, maybe even #2. I threw the Amazon one into my cart although I do wish it went down to #4. Hard to tell #4 from some Chinesieum metric thing that looks the same size!

 

[AndyG]

I always wished these charts also had recommended CLEARANCE drill sizes as well. My local ACE has one of the wall mounted thread checkers, goes all the way down to at least #4, maybe even #2. I threw the Amazon one into my cart although I do wish it went down to #4. Hard to tell #4 from some Chinesieum metric thing that looks the same size!

When I see things like that I’ll take a picture and save it on my phone

I use google “keep”

 

[AndyG]

The thing about the thread checker is it can keep you from really messing something up-

Good post

 

[macleanflood]

After you do Taps and Dies do Thread Chasers, then you can cover drill bits versus reamers.

-Mac

P.S. 3/4" is 18.03mm which is a PIA .