2020 POTD Thread Archive

[dewbane]

We dropped the oil on my son's 1977 F350, and the threads on the drain plug were in bad shape. I got online and located the part, but nobody had one in stock, and nobody could get one before tomorrow. I decided to go make one. My son was extremely skeptical all the way until he threaded it home.

 

[Tim9]

Nice looking drain plug

 

[yendor]

Thanks rwm. The socket is screwed to a nub turned to 1/2" and then milled to a 3/8" square to slip fit in the 3/8" drive of the socket. It's drilled/tapped 1/4-20 for a screw/washer retainer. The brass hammer has a 3/8-16 nub on it that threads into the hammer head, as does the handle.
View attachment 337686
View attachment 337687

I REALLY - LIKE this one.
As a compliment I plan to copy it for myself.

 

[Bi11Hudson]

Bill, is there a Standard associated with the 1/16 pipe thread you described?

Just to be clear, there is a 1/16 NPT (National Pipe Taper) size but it isn't the same as Bill is describing. 1/16 NPT is 27 (not 24) TPI and about 5/16" OD. The major diameter of a #10 is .190", so will fall through a 1/16 NPT tapped hole.

I am familiar with 10-32 threaded fittings often used in small (instrument/control) pneumatic systems. The 10-32 fittings that I've used were face sealed (washer or O-ring), not thread taper sealed as NPT.

First off, it probably is my memory(such as it is) screwing with me. Having had several strokes, my memory isn't near what it used to be. (Same old, same old) Second, there likely isn't a "standard" for such a fitting. Strictly used for small steam fitting, it may well have been homemade. And lastly, while I do have the "standard" 1/16 pipe tap, I don't remember it being that large. I do remember using a wrong tap and making it fit anyway.

All combined, bad memory included, something stinks. It may well be a homemade rig that I have forgotten. But I can remember the difference between Nr10 and 3/16. Only 2-1/2 thou, but there is a difference. Back in the dark ages BC(before computers) I did instrument work in a foundry. And often dealt with unusual devices. Going that far back(1978), I would bank on the questionable memory.

Thank you, Sir, for the correction. I'm still angry from the late '60s when a fellow at the supply house replied to my query on a MT-0 that"there's no such thing." I was young then and believed him. Sorta. . . Didn't find out different for many years.

.

 

[Superburban]

Bill. Do not get upset over the memory, even the best of us have our issues. I for one appreciate when you go into the longer explinations which help me understand some of the bigger picture. I try the same thing on an older truck forum, where I have tons more expertise. I have always felt it is better to understand they whys of things, over just answering someones question. I would sit down for a coffee (or beer with you any time).

 

[hman]

I'm still angry from the late '60s when a fellow at the supply house replied to my query on a MT-0 that"there's no such thing." I was young then and believed him. Sorta. . . Didn't find out different for many years.

There used to be a cartoon circulating on "the Xerox circuit" that showed a customer at the parts counter, desperately pointing, and the huffy clerk telling him, "Ain't no use pointing at it. The computer says it's out of stock."

 

[extropic]

First off, it probably is my memory(such as it is) screwing with me. Having had several strokes, my memory isn't near what it used to be. (Same old, same old) Second, there likely isn't a "standard" for such a fitting. Strictly used for small steam fitting, it may well have been homemade. And lastly, while I do have the "standard" 1/16 pipe tap, I don't remember it being that large. I do remember using a wrong tap and making it fit anyway.

All combined, bad memory included, something stinks. It may well be a homemade rig that I have forgotten. But I can remember the difference between Nr10 and 3/16. Only 2-1/2 thou, but there is a difference. Back in the dark ages BC(before computers) I did instrument work in a foundry. And often dealt with unusual devices. Going that far back(1978), I would bank on the questionable memory.

Thank you, Sir, for the correction. I'm still angry from the late '60s when a fellow at the supply house replied to my query on a MT-0 that "there's no such thing." I was young then and believed him. Sorta. . . Didn't find out different for many years.

I didn't intend to correct you Bill. Just intended to clarify, for all pilgrims, that the "1/16 pipe fitting" you were describing was not to be confused with "1/16 NPT".

 

[Superburban]

I really had no idea when I started this journey what I'd end up being able to do. For example, yesterday, I needed another part for the car (oil pressure sensor was in a weird place with this "old" replacement engine). I made one, found it was not going to fit, and made another. The first one was drilled and milled, then turned round and threaded.

The second iteration (I was getting tired and didn't grab a photo until I was tapping the final hole) was turned on the lathe, then milled a few surfaces flat until I could get a wrench on it and have one for the adapter.

I'm not quite done tapping, but I'm close. Then I should be able to start the car again and REALLY tune the carburetor.

After having one of those tall adapters break on the road on me, I started making an adapter that is remotely mounted which takes the leverage off the mounting shaft. This has the gauge sender, and a on/off switch for the choke heater & electric pump. The blue and rings were just for looks.

 

[akjeff]

I REALLY - LIKE this one.
As a compliment I plan to copy it for myself.

Thank you, and by all means copy away. I copied mine from a friend who suggested I make one as my first project, after getting my first mill(Rockwell 21-100). He said it'll teach you to turn, face, drill, thread, tap, cut a taper, knurl, and mill the flats. He was so right!

 

[BGHansen]

POTD wasn't making anything, just changing some stuff so it actually works. My Tormach 1100 has dedicated 20A 220 and 110 lines. I brought the 110V down from the ceiling to a Harbor Freight multi-outlet power strip. I was in the middle of running a routine and the power strip breaker tripped. Can't believe everything adds up to past 15A, so maybe a bad breaker from HF or my machine is actually using that much juice.

I celebrated my 61st birthday a week ago and was gifted a 20A 110 power strip from my better half. Yeah, true 20A with the turned terminal which gave me a POTD of changing the plug from the incorrect 15A duplex to a single 20A.

Did a little cord management on the back side too though it's still a little messy. By the way, my 110 draws are a computer, monitor, LED shop light, two 100W draw LED floodlights, formally a 1/2 HP coolant pump (now using a 1/4 HP), and a Mistaway coolant filtration unit rated at 210 W (which I very rarely use). The Mistaway was not running when the 15A power strip popped the breaker.

Thanks for looking, Bruce


Birthday present from my wife; a 20A 110 power strip


110 "stuff" on the back of the Tormach 1100 with a HF power strip


Up to code now with a 20A plug on the 20A circuit


New power strip in place


Still a little messy, but works for me