Threading Holes

[wanareef]

I always try to find a faster way to do things and eaiser at that. Here I am threading holes in a flange for a 1/4"x20 nylon thumbscrew using a 17/64" drill bit.

All the holes are pre-drilled and then the fun begins. I chuck-up a 1/4x20 tap into my drill-driver and tap all the holes. It took me longer to write this up than it was to thread the holes.

Just a quick DIY..

[crvz]

Well done. I'd be afraid of breaking the acrylic, but looks like you've got it figured out!

[Doug1]

Kewl beans, i would think that tapping em fast would lead to sloppy threads

[wanareef]

No not really, the tap is self centering even if the tap is not turning perfect. You will get a modulation in your hand, so just hang on tight to the piece. Try it out on a scrap piece, just make sure you drill with the reconmended drill size that printed on the side of the tap.

I have done several skimmer flanges this way (for sale)

[OneDummHikk]

I actually practiced that today on some scraps. The #8 tap worked awesomely with a drill. Just make sure you don't try to slow it down, let it feed at its own rate since its going to feed itself in. It was when I tried it with my 3/4" tap that the drill hurt me Be careful about trying it with larger taps but its awesome on the smaller taps.

Wanareef, where do you get your bolts? I had read somewhere of people getting them at Home Depot but what I found at HD tonight wasn't real promising to me. I tried looking through Google for a source but quickly gave up on that.

I am looking for something in the size of 1/4", #10 or #12. Also, the wingnuts and washers for them. HD carried the nylon washers but no nylon nuts at all.

[wanareef]

McMaster-Carr is where I got the nylon thumbscrews, they have a lot of stuff in nylon or some other "plastic"

[OneDummHikk]

Thanks. I went back to HD today and talked to a friend there and he reminded me of Fastenal which has stores here in town. They show what I want on the website so I should be able to get them from the store.

[Geoff]

Both Lowe's and HD by me carry nylon nuts and bolts. they are located in the pull out shelves and not on the wall of bits with everything else.

G~

[OneDummHikk]

The first ones I got were at HD. About 42 cents each for the bolts. I went by Fastenal today on my way home from Florida and got price quotes on several different items. 1/4" bolts, wing nuts, washers, and got a catalog. Figured I could find the size I wanted, get a part number, look it up on the website. NOPE. The website doesn't find my part numbers. Sheesh.

At least I have prices on 1/4" thumb screws 1.5" long, nylon washers and wing nuts for the 1/4" screws.

From doing quick math, there isn't any real price advantage to buying them 300 or 1000 at a time as compared to 100 at the time. The price is either 3X or 10X the 100 price.

That 1/4" bolt I bought for 42 cents at HD? I can get it for 16 cents from Fastenal and thats delivered to me.