Screw gauge, How?

[Guest]

Hello all, In another post in Wonwinglos' Blog, Bunkerbarge asked the question "Does anyone know what a Number 8 screw is nowadays and does anyone know how you get the number 8?"

Answer is from the Standard Wire Gauge an old method from measuring the thickness of any metal whereby 8swg = 4.0mm 10swg = 5.0mm These are tne most common sizes of woodscrews that we supply on a daily basis. Admittedly we would normally refer to them as 8g or the like. If anyone wants a decent service then go to a local independent Ironmonger for all of your hardware needs.

cheers

Jim

[Guest]

Hi Jim,

From my old 'O' Level woodwork I seem to remember some quick way of determining the number but I can't remember the details now. It involved measuring the screw head in, I think 1/16ths and then mulitplying by two and adding two or taking it away or something.

As I said I can't remember it now but when I was doing woodwork at school I could work out what number a screw was by measuring it.

I agree with your views on ironmongers but, sadly, they seem to be a dying breed nowadays.

[wonwinglo]

Old ironmongers shops-The smell of parrafin as you entered the door,a pleasant knowledgeable chap behind the counter in a buff coloured cowgown,lots of wooden drawers behind the counter where he would reach for screws of every description,he not only had them in stock but you could buy what you wanted,rows of small tins of paint and varnish,no need to buy a gallon,racks of tools of quality by branded names,everything from a moth ball to a sledgehammer,coupled with civility and service.

Modern DIY outlet-Bland pseudo atmosphere,dumbo if you can find one says 'No mate dont stock em' rows of home brand rubbish paint at high prices,cheap foreign tools where the handles fall off and one twist with a screwdriver dulls the end,racks of pre-packed high priced screws usually everything except the ones you need,computer PLU tags hanging on the rack telling you that some lazy so and so has not ordered for months,everything from a cheap garden hose that splits the first signs of frost to cheap gimmicks to boost the sales of things they should have but do not stock.

[Guest]

I think that just about sums it up nicely Barry.

Apart from which we would never have had a "fork 'andles" sketch in a B&Q because non of them would know what a fork was in the first place!!

[wonwinglo]

*** You should have seen the look on the face of one chap in B & Q , when I asked him if they stock self tapping parker kaler studs with obverse 2 BA screwed threads in hardened steel ? his stock reply was something like 'We dont stock them anymore because there is no call for them' I can be quite mischievous at times ! it is times like this that my wife wants nothing to do with me ?

I think that just about sums it up nicely Barry.Apart from which we would never have had a "fork 'andles" sketch in a B&Q because non of them would know what a fork was in the first place!!