what does this mean?

[edwardbarras]

I am putting brake & clutch linkage back together on my 49, and having trouble buying the correct bolts & nuts. On my tap & die set , one die says 3/8 nf 24. What does the nf mean? Thanks The book calls for a 3/8 inch, 24 thread bolt. When I go to run the bolt through my die, it will not go.

[50droptop]

NF usually means National Fine. To be sure the bolt is truly fine thread, you can use a 24 pitch tap to ensure the threads match. Just match the tap threads to the bolt threads.

[RKS.PA]

So, 3/8's is the diameter of the bolt and the nut. And, 24 is the number of threads per inch, using SAE fasteners. When I buy bolts and nuts....usually at Ace Hardware or Lowes....I take my thread measuring gauge with me to be sure I've got the right thread count. You'd be amazed how the the wrong size nuts and bolts wind up in the 3/8's bins!!


I'm not the smartest guy in the fastener isle, but since it's a trip for me to the hardware, I only want to have to go once for the stuff I'm working on. Also, you will want to get the right "grade" of fasteners for your brake and clutch linkage....not sure what is specified for those.


Good luck....Dick.

[cas3]

nf=national fine, nc=national course, np= national pipe

[edwardbarras]

This forum and its members are a blessing for me! Thank you all. Ed Barras

[scicala]

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Originally Posted by RKS.PA

So, 3/8's is the diameter of the bolt and the nut. And, 24 is the number of threads per inch, using SAE fasteners. When I buy bolts and nuts....usually at Ace Hardware or Lowes....I take my thread measuring gauge with me to be sure I've got the right thread count. You'd be amazed how the the wrong size nuts and bolts wind up in the 3/8's bins!!


I'm not the smartest guy in the fastener isle, but since it's a trip for me to the hardware, I only want to have to go once for the stuff I'm working on. Also, you will want to get the right "grade" of fasteners for your brake and clutch linkage....not sure what is specified for those.


Good luck....Dick.

Dick, I just ran into that issue at my local Ace Hardware. The 3/8-16 nuts were mixed in with the 3/8-24 ones. Have to keep the eyes open.


Sal

[rotorwrench]

I don't buy any unified thread fasteners from a hardware stores anymore. I've been burned one time too many. They get there stuff from sources that are not reliable any more. 1 in 4 pieces will have some kind of problem or all will be the wrong fit.

Taps and dies are another problematic tool now days. There are 3 different classifications for thread fit in SAE unified type threads. Some of these taps they make now are of unknown fit classification. Then there are the unified thread fasteners that are made in countries that have no idea about any particular threads let alone unified type. All I can say is be carefull with new fasteners and new taps & die sets. They might be way out of whack as to what they should be.

Fastenall and some of the other machinery supply type companies still try to get the better quality stuff but who knows how long that will last.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by rotorwrench

I don't buy any unified thread fasteners from a hardware stores anymore. I've been burned one time too many. They get there stuff from sources that are not reliable any more. 1 in 4 pieces will have some kind of problem or all will be the wrong fit.

Taps and dies are another problematic tool now days. There are 3 different classifications for thread fit in SAE unified type threads. Some of these taps they make now are of unknown fit classification. Then there are the unified thread fasteners that are made in countries that have no idea about any particular threads let alone unified type. All I can say is be carefull with new fasteners and new taps & die sets. They might be way out of whack as to what they should be.

Fastenall and some of the other machinery supply type companies still try to get the better quality stuff but who knows how long that will last.

This is spot on advice!!!!

[joe 1950]

usually grade 5 is pretty much across the board for assembling but for steering you could use grade 8 for better piece of mind