Small Metric Screws

Edited By Dias Costa on 10/10/2010 13:07:36

Edited By KWIL on 10/10/2010 15:51:39

I do not apologise for resurrecting this very old thread.

Has any progress been made in the model engineering fraternity, users and suppliers, about metric fixings? We seem to be the last to use odd BA sizes and I am sure all BA sizes will go.

JA

Polly are about the only UK ME supplier to do a small range, I tend to buy direct from GHW who they get theirs from. several other German suppliers too such as Knupfer

Edited By JasonB on 03/10/2019 20:13:11

PTS-UK are very good for small screws.

Plasma

A fairly restricted range of sizes, and all are Brass, but M0.6mm probably qualifies as small

**LINK**

https://prime-miniatures.co.uk/catalog/bolts-hex-head/brass

MichaelG.

I have a number of times imported a variety of types of tiny fasteners from these chaps in West Sussex. - Not in the last 3 years though..

**LINK**

Speak to Steve Craven - +44 (0) 1342 717582

Joe

Edited By Joseph Noci 1 on 03/10/2019 22:16:32

I recently bought these from eBay .... (eBay item number 282567052565).

Decent enough and the price is certainly right.

Plenty of small metric screws and nuts etc on aliexpress.com. Cheap as chips but all that I have bought have been good quality. Also small metric studding in 300mm lengths which is perfect for making ME studs.

The majority being sold on e-bay, aliexpress and even Joe's link are all fine if you just want a small metric fixing.

Going back to the original question what was wanted were small metric hex head screws hard to find from the big commercial suppliers and even if you find nuts they are mass produced formed ones not crisp machined ones of a more appropriate hex size to look correct on scale models. Which is what JA was enquiring about as he said "ME fraternity"

All the time people keep knocking out the same old locos that were designed years ago and following equally old drawings there will be little demand for all the ME suppliers to carry good quality small metric fasteners. The last 11 models I have designed and built are all dimentioned in metric, use metric stock and all have used fasteners from GHW if other designers do similar then demand will go up and suppliers will be more likely to add metric fasteners to their range.

It is probably wishful thinking that Stuarts would revise their 10 series drawings and offer a metric set along with metric fasteners and materials, same with the likes of Reeves or Sarik, I can't see them updating the beginners drawings to metric any time soon so beginners will be sucked into the BA & ME series system never to get out.

J

PS Michael, not ignoring your link as they are hex head screws

Edited By JasonB on 04/10/2019 07:19:33

Many thanks for the replies - nothing has changed.

I re-opened the tread because I have started designing a model steam engine. I decided it should be metric including fixtures. Tubal Cain, in his Model Engineer's Handbook, reports that this was discussed in 1981 and the BSI published a document Guidance on Metric Screw Threads and Fasteners for Use by Model Engineers, PD6507-1982. I have not seen this and I doubt if anyone else has (a copy costs over £100). Soon I have to make up my mind whether to stick to BA or take the plunge and go to metric.

I think, as JasonB suggests, this has serious implications for our hobby.

Obviously there is little point in converting most models to metric since they are only made by the experienced. However the opposite is true for entry kits such as some Stuart models. To be presented with the drawing for a Stuart 7A can be quite a shock for someone who has only known metric units etc. I know from experience since my niece decided to make a Stuart 7A while in six form (the school had, probably still has, a well equipped workshop) fifteen years ago. With the help of her teacher all the dimensions were converted to mm but problems arose when it came to drill sizes. Neither of them had any idea about number drills and the usual shops (local, Axminster Tools) could not help. So uncle was phoned.

Perhaps someone should buy a popular Stuart model and try building it, with a blog, as a complete metric model with dimensions based on mm and not converted from fractions of an inch and with metric fixtures. Just a thought for the future of our hobby.

JA

If Stuarts ( or any other supplier) want to donate a kit or better still just the basic castings as the imperial materials won't get used I'm willing and will even furnish them with a set of metric drawings.

As for number drills I don't have any but with sets of metric in 0.1mm increments I can find suitable tapping and reaming sizes.

But then again are the days of the casting kit numbered? With the average model engineer now having access to a milling machine the ability to cut from solid or fabricate increases and the cost saving by using barstock soon pays for the machine and tooling. 

Edited By JasonB on 04/10/2019 13:14:31

I just sent her the Reeves equivalent of the Zeus booklet.

I know your views about castings but I am not sure if their use will die. This could lead to a debate about castings, barstock and additive technologies such as 3D printing - really another thread.

JA

.

I’ve just had a look at the document

... I think your money would be better-spent elsewhere.

MichaelG.