Incompetent Boob! (a minor rant)

[R Walker]

Why aren't the drill bits metric? This sounds odd. Metric drill bits are no more expensive than US size drill bits of similar size and type.

If you are planning to thread anything other than plastic, I would not buy such a cheap tap, die, and drill set - the metal in these tools will not be good enough, by a lot, and you will end up screaming with frustration.

For good quality taps and dies and drill bits, go to MSC and get US or German made products. I've bought a lot of stuff from MSC, and never a problem. http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRHM

The rule for ISO metric machine screw threads is that the thread-cutting tap drill diameter is the screw size (3mm) minus the screw pitch (0.5mm). So, for M3-0.5 threads, use a 2.5mm drill bit to make the hole that will be tapped. (If using a thread-forming tap instead of a thread-cutting tap, follow the manufacturer's reecommendation.)

Thanks Joe!

[Possum]

Must be going around.....

Wolfe: got my 10,000 screws yesterday, they look great......ZINC PLATED!!!!!! Anyone want some zinc plated pole screws :-) I haven't heard back from them yet but I surely never specified zinc, I have multiple emails and their own quote with nickel plainly indicated, sure hope these guys make this right, I think maybe their plater goofed. Fun, huh?

[JGundry]

I had one screw maker tell me that the screws are made zinc plated and then have to have the zinc plating stripped and then they are nickel plated. Which sounds to me like they just found some zinc plated screws from another manufacturer.

[Possum]

zinc?

That doesn't sound right, you look at vintage pole screws and all you see is nickel where its rubbed off, I think it would noticable if there was blue zinc in there somewhere. Anyone know different? Ooops just found this:

"Nickel plating, with or without a copper strike (thin plating), is one of the oldest methods of preventing corrosion and improving the appearance of steel and brass. Nickel plating will tarnish unless followed by chromium plating. Nickel plating is more expensive than cadmium or zinc plating, and also must be baked as cadmium to prevent hydrogen embrittlement. Nickel plating is good to an operating temperature of 1100 F, but is still not frequently used for plating fasteners because of its cost."

I did hear back from the screw maker and yes the plater fouled it up, he's pissed and they are doing it over and the plater is going to eat the charges. I didn't blow my cork at them, humans make mistakes and otherwise the screws are killer.....