Shopsmith Forums

jdramsey wrote:On the rare occasion that I've needed to identify a nut or bolt, I go to Home Depot (or as my son calls is, Home Desperate). The nuts and bolts isle has a large display with exactly the same thing.

anmius wrote:I cheat. I use the one at my hardware store in the screw and bolt section. Cheaper and I'm usually there getting something all of the time (at least it seems like all of the time).

I think that for the instant gratification and cost savings in gas this item is worth the price, but I will wait to find out where it was made.

Here's the info on this. I have one.
It is made in (wait for it now;) surprise! surprise!) China and imported through Canada.
Nut and Bolt Identifier is somewhat of a misnomer-It's really a Nut and Machine Screw Identifier.
It doesn't take the place of the Home Depot etc. sizing plates by the bolts display. It supplements them, as it goes from 1/4" down through the number sizes from #12 to #1 in NC & NF threads as well as Metric course from 6mm to 1.6mm.
It is a somewhat specialized tool and not something everyone would need, although some might find it handy if the tool budget allowed it. I got it because of the ability to size the tiny screws that the regular hardware sources don't carry and that must be phone or Internet ordered.(IE. can't take the sample to the store)
It seems well made and comes in a little box jointed wooden case.
Don

the version at Lee Valley is conceptually similar to one that they used to have the NACA apprentices make as part of their tap and die training. most of the pld timers that I knew still had and used theirs when they retired.

I will certainly consider it.

the Rockler-offered thread detective came in yesterday and I used the SAE set this evening. it seems functional and worth the price, but 2 things are less positive than I hoped:
1) the "nut" is recessed fairly deeply into the plastic ball and
2) it is tricky to use the male side to check the threads in a stationary hole.

the recessed female side makes it hard to be sure that one is not cross-threading when the end of the bolt is beat up (it was being used as a shaft lock).
the male side is fine for checking threads in a nut. checking the thread in the side of a new-to-me lathe tailstock required spinning the entire string to turn the screw.

of course, with the Lee Valley version, the tricks are to remember to always put the test screw back in the plate after use and that you have to take the reference screw out of the plate to test an unknown screw and then remember to put the reference back.

I also note that the Lee Valley one does 10 unspecified sizes from #1 to 1/4" while the Rockler does 14 specified sizes from #6 to 1/2" (skipping #12).

sounds like I am talking myself into "needing" both versions.

Ivan

Wow I'm shocked I thought this was the craziest thing I ever saw.
Guess I was wrong.

I have a very modest tap and die set and it came with thread guage. I either get it out to size a bolt or nut. If it screws on the tap or into the die it must be the right size. Added benefit even if it ain't the right size if I apply a little pressure it becomes the right size.
Or
I take the bolt/nut to HD and put it on their sizer.

I would never spend money on this set, but then again I'm cheap.

I said it before but I'm becoming like Alton Brown on food network, I refuse to buy a one show pony anymore. That is why I would rather take the money I would spend on this, add a little more and buy a modest tap and die set. Then I can not only determine my bolt/nut size but I can also run the threads, cut new threads, tap a hole or etc.

On first glance, it looks neat. But after a few moments of thinking and looking, I don't think it's very useful.

You have to completely unscrew one of those knurled bolts to go check a hole. Yea. That's convenient. And of course you'll always screw it right back in when you're done.

As a nut checker, the studs or bolts look too close together. Sure, it'll be fine for the small ones, but I don't think so for the larger ones.

As a bolt checker, it's lousy. You have to unthread a knurled bolt and run the bolt through the hole to check it, then thread the knurled nut back in. And you're counting on the threads of a thin sheet to identify the bolt. No where near accurate.

I'll stick with my plastic thread pitch and gauge checker and such that I tend to get for free from car shows and such. My thread pitch gauges work just fine down inside blind holes.

Just another way to separate me from my money. I have too many other ways to spend my hard earned discretionary monies. I've gotten along without something like this for these many years so I'll just continue as in the past.

Wouldn't it be very easy to put something like this together yourself if it were really that useful?

Got a reply to my inquiry:

Thank you for your e-mail. The Thread I.D. (Nut & Bolt Identifier), product # 09A0190, is made in China.

Regards.
Caroline Brisson
Internet Customer Service Representative

a1gutterman wrote:I think that for the instant gratification and cost savings in gas this item is worth the price, but I will wait to find out where it was made.

When the country info comes in and takes the wind out of your sales, go buy this for $50 or any one of thesefor $30. Made in USA.

mickyd wrote:When the country info comes in and takes the wind out of your sales, go buy this for $50 or any one of thesefor $30. Made in USA.

I thought you were being awfully quiet!:D

Me thinks a HF tap/die set could survive being a thread 'detective'. Those sharp edges could be a negative feature though(they really sell them for $9?).