10-32 UNF Threaded Rod

Afternoon all.

I am looking to obtain some 10-32 UNF threaded rod, to chop into 1-4" lengths and make more hold-down studs for my Sherline mill.

It can be ordered from the USA where it is more commonplace, but the carriage works out more than the material.

Does anyone know of a UK based supplier? I only found some at Cromwell's who have a 'special offer' of £14 for a metre.

It only needs to be self-coloured steel, not diamond-coated unobtainium!

Thanks,

Anthony

eBay

Any links or auction numbers? I looked on there and couldn't find any.

Do you really need to use 10-32 UNF?

M5 is so very close in diameter and you can buy S/S studding at £1.53 per metre!!

The clamping plate on the mill table and all of the accessories are tapped for 10-32, so I think it would cost more to buy a new piece of ali plate and re-tap it and all the other parts than get hold of some more threaded rod.

A valid point though, and one to keep in mind if the UNF studding isn't easily available.

http://www.spaldingfasteners.co.uk/unf-a2-stainless-steel-allthread-studding-threaded-bar-1-yard-10-32-5-16/

£18.00

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At that price I would be very tempted to buy a decent 10-32 die, and try running that down the M5 thread.

MichaelG.

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Edit: Useful list of pitch conversions, here.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 05/07/2015 20:42:05

Hi, in Kwil's link the price is for 5/16" the 10-32 is £7.38 cheaper **LINK** but you can buy 5 lengths for a little over £31.00.

Regards Nick.

No connection with the above mentioned company other than an occasional customer.

I'd buy a die and some 3/16" rod and make my own. As its quite a common thread on teh Sherlines ir will come in handy for other things in te future

Anthony,

Having re-visited this problem; I think I may have the most expedient solution:

Sherline Tee Nuts appear to be readily available at modest price.

So ... Buy a spare set and run an M5 tap through them; then use the ubiquitous M5 studding, etc.

Note: It would be wise to clearly mark the modified nuts, to avoid confusion.

MichaelG.

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P.S. Sherline seems to be a very responsive company ... it may even be worth suggesting that they could offer Tee Nuts with a pilot-drilling only.

No.

He needs the studs to fit in the clamping sub table fitted to the bed.

So he either needs the correct studs or a new sub table with M5 tapped holes in it.

Personally I'd go for Jasons option as having the die opens up access to a whole load of further accessories plus you don't need to make studding threaded all the way. A short thread one end to fit the sub plate or tee nuts and a part thread at the other end. Made in matched sets, one takes over when the other one has run out of thread.

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Sorry, John

I must have misunderstood the arrangement.

... I thought it was something like this

MichaelG.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 06/07/2015 12:56:56

Something like this Michael

All those small holes are 10-32

Thanks, Jason

That makes sense

MichaelG.

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Or, perhaps, the existing sub table with an M5 tap run through the existing 10-32 holes.

... I'm not 100% confident on the tolerancing, but I think it may be worth a look.

MichaelG.

Thanks everyone for their inputs so far.

I have located a more reasonably priced source for UNF studding - £2.88 per ft. A reasonable price but still a lot more than the metric equivalent.

As there is 3/16" MS bar in the materials bin, and a suitable die is on its way, I think I will give making up some studs a try. Will also make a few 10-32 test holes and see what happens when an M5 tap is run through. Come to think of it, I am sure I have an M5 helicoil kit, so maybe I will go for broke and just re-make the holes in the sub-plate with that (if I have enough of them!)

Cheers,

Anthony

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Anthony,

It sounds like you're onto a winner anyway, but this short video should give some encouragement regarding the re-tapping. ... He is only doing inserts, so it's not strictly comparable, but the last few seconds are quite telling.

I think my confidence level is now very near 100%

Please let us know how it goes.

MichaelG.

You could also buy a 10-32 tap to make you own T nuts etc

Can I suggest that before re-tapping the holes, you simply try a piece of M5 threaded rod in the existing holes as-is.

The M5-0.8 / #10-32 thing has pretty much always worked for me, either way round, without modification. And if it works for you, it would seem to be the simplest solution (while still allowing use of the existing hardware).

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No harm trying [very gently] but, as I mentioned ... the last few seconds of that video are quite telling.

It will depend upon the tolerances.

MichaelG.