Can anyone explain to me what the sizes mean for miniature nuts and bolts? I keep seeing things like “0-80”, and it’s all greek to me.
Ray
The “0” is the diameter in screw language and the “80” is threads per inch.
Hope that helps
Rodney
Wow. My eyes won’t focus on that chart, David.
Here’s a different one: http://www.engineersedge.com/screw_threads_chart.htm
All you need to do on either of those charts or most any other page for that matter is hold down the control key and hit the + key up in the number row. It will ease your eye strain.
If I could add a link incase you guys don’t have a source for supplies:
http://www.microfasteners.com/index.cfm
It’s where someone helped me get hardware for my trains when I got back into them. Seems like they had some good prices. I try to order some bulk to save on shipping instead of just a few screws.
Once you start using the smaller nuts and bolts, you learn real quickly that investing in a set of drivers for the nuts is a lot easier than using pliers!
I think I used 00-90 or 0-80 for these parts…
Ray,
Micro Fastners as mentioned above is a very good source for what your looking for.
I find that 00-90, 0-80, and 0-72 are the sizes that I use most often, you can get them in 1/4, 1/2, and 3/4 lengths and sometimes in 1 inch. Just ask for the correct washers for each size and they will fix you up.
There are two types of nuts available. A standard nut and a scale nut, I order some of each and use the standard ones (cheaper) where they won’t be seen and save the scale nuts for the visible locations. ( The ones shown in Craig’s photo are the scale nuts)
They also have lag bolts and rivets that I seem to use quite a few of. The lags come in really handy in many places.
Only way to do it is jump in and order a few of each and see what works for you.
Later
Rick
Thanks!
Just to confuse things a little! While not a fan of the metric system, I’ve found that 2mm hex head machine screws look really good as bolt-nut-washer kits, and at the same time, actually hold things together! That’s a real bolt/nut, not a casting, and makes the marquee removeable for repair of the lights. The lights are 5 mm LEDs.
They are tiny, though. I’m learning entirely new uses for tweezers and very small screwdrivers!