Just got ICS’s NBW’s in!
So organized!
Now for an evening of measuring & modeling them. I’ll post the spreadsheet when that’s all done, maybe later in the week.
Been meaning to ask, does anyone know when hex (vs square) nuts & bolts came into common use? This page suggests the 1880’s, and that would be after “my” cars were built.
The transition from square to hex seems quite fluid and vague, which is understandable.
Point being, I’m gravitating toward the ICS offerings, which seem to be mostly square.
I think it depends on application. I have some furniture from the 1930s that is assembled with square nuts and bolts, but my dad had a lathe from the 1920s that had mostly hex-head.
Interesting. To your point, a couple of references I saw mentioned square heads having greater surface area, and therefore possibly better holding power. Furthermore, and this is just a guess, the sharper corners might have helped in anti-rotation as well (like a lock washer).
Cliff,
Although we started marking the sprues later in the game, i believe all those on sprues will match up with the list i sent.
Al P.
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Thanks very much Al.
By the way folks, the detail on these ICS castings is amazing. On the larger NBW’s you can actually see the bolt threads. I suspect that’s your work, Al? Really sharp.
Cliff,
Actually the use of square nuts in wood furniture is still used. The square nuts bit into the wood easier making a more solid wiggle free connection. As per your question concerning the hex vs the square pertaining to when the cars were built. I personally would think they would have used whatever was the easiest and cheapest available at the time to get the job done. It’s mining equipment not high speed mass produced stuff.
I still don’t think they used glue though and I find that comment a bit fishy myself!
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Cliff,
I do not recall doing any threads.
Al P.