3/8-20 die

DogT · Jun 8, 2010

Does anyone have a 3/8-20 BSF die? I got a gearbox SS magnetic drain plug from Roger at RGM and I asked for a replacement and he is not forthcoming. The thread is not formed very nicely and it is too thick to go into the gearbox. If I would send it to someone with a die, maybe they could run it through the die and fix it for me. It was not very cheap, so it is worth the postage if someone can help. Here's a pic.

Thanks,
Dave
69S

swooshdave · Jun 8, 2010

http://www.travers.com/product.asp?Requ ... 17-024-202

$14.40

At that price it might be worth it.

or

http://www.britishfasteners.com/mm5/mer ... y_Code=261

BrianK · Jun 8, 2010

Dave - checked, have 16 and 24 TPI, no 20! (Thought I'd bought every weird size by now but there's always another.) But I have a thread file that size, and happy to take a whack at cleaning it up with that if that's helpful to you. - Brian

DogT · Jun 8, 2010

I ended up paying $14USD for this thing including a proportional shipping fee. I don't think I am going to pay another $14 plus shipping to get it to work, I would just try to magnetize my old one and use it. I may spend some time with my Vallorbe files grinding it down unless someone comes up with a real die and paying for the postage and any small fee to correct it.

Shame on RGM, they lost my D. Taylor headsteady purchase.

Dave
69S

BrianK · Jun 8, 2010

Hey Dave, maybe you can cut off the magnet (dremel?) and JB Weld it onto your old one?

It's something I would do. Which may not be a great recommendation....good luck!

domiracer66 · Jun 8, 2010

Hi Dave,
I would try chucking the plug in a lathe or drill press and chasing the threads with a thread file or file that matches thread form as closely as possible.. Tedious but it works..

kommando · Jun 9, 2010

A good industial lathe should be able to be set to do 20 TPI on its thread selection panel, mine does but a bit far away. I do it all the time to chase threads burred at the ends of shafts by DPO's banging on with hammers, I feed the tool in at the good part of the thread to get the root and reverse out to reform the thread.

DogT · Jun 9, 2010

I have no lathes, maybe I will take it up to my local machine shop with the original and see if they can fix it for a reasonable price.

Dave
69S

kommando · Jun 9, 2010

5 mins max on a lathe, motor doesn't need to run just turn chuck by hand.

littlefield · Jun 10, 2010

I have a Sears thread chasing set that came with a 4 sided thread file with 20 tpi on one side. The thread form is probably not exactly right for the BS but I bet it would get you back in business.

gtsun · Jun 10, 2010

DogT, A friend here in So Cal has a couple very old sets of taps and dies for British stuff that I have used a few times. I'll go see if he has a 3/8-20 today around noon Calif time. If so you can send it & I will clean it up for you if you want. Glenn.

DogT · Jun 10, 2010

Glenn,

Thanks, let me talk to the local machine shop first, if they want too much, I'll take you up. Funny thing is though, since I took that picture of it I can't find it. It must be around the workshop here somewhere stuck to some metal object. I've been looking for about 2 days now. LOL. I suppose it will turn up. I can use the old one until this is sorted.

Thanks,
Dave
69S

gtsun · Jun 11, 2010

I hate it when the gremlin gets a part and hides it. I set a 2BA screw from the tail light down and it vanished into the eathers! I didn't even move more than 10 feet & it just can't be found. I was planning on ordering stainless ones so this forced the issue.

cash · Jun 11, 2010

Dog T,
Do you still want to borrow a BSF 3/8 x 20 split die?

Cash

DogT · Jun 11, 2010

I found it. It had fallen off the bench and rolled under, took me 4 days to find it. Now I'm looking for the shims that I wanted to put between the mainshaft bushing and the clutch locating clip, they were in plastic bags with the Andover paper in it so it shouldn't be hard to find, but nix. May have to order some more. I am still going to take the bolt to my local machine shop and see if they can fix it. It may take a week so I'll check back after talking to them. Thanks all.

Dave
69S

3/8-20 die

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