Lathe threads--26 TPI

[LittleWatchShop]

I am going to remount a WW lathe bed.  The threads are 5/16, 26 TPI.  Geez.  It is an odd size.  My research indicates it is British Standard Brass (or British Standard Cycle).

It is very close to some bicycle axles--perhaps close enough.

I have found some bolts for Triumph motorcycles on Ebay.  It may be my best shot.

Thoughts?

Edited April 10, 2021 by LittleWatchShop

[jdm]

1 hour ago, LittleWatchShop said:

I am going to remount a WW lathe bed.  The threads are 5/16, 26 TPI.  Geez.  It is an odd size.  My research indicates it is British Standard Brass (or British Standard Cycle).

It is very close to some bicycle axles--perhaps close enough.

I have found some bolts for Triumph motorcycles on Ebay.  It may be my best shot.

Thoughts?

Have you lost the bolts for sure? You could drill and re-tap to the next bigger standard size, or ask someone with a threading lathe to make new bolts for you.

[LittleWatchShop]

2 minutes ago, jdm said:

Have you lost the bolts for sure?

No. First of all, I have become a little obsessed with lathes.  I have three now.  One has the bed mounted to a tall hourglass style stand.  I have another mounted on a Borel plate (very common configuration).  I want to exchange the two lathe beds.  They use different threads...imagine that.

[jdm]

41 minutes ago, LittleWatchShop said:

 They use different threads...imagine that.

Common issue in machine fitting, if you want to be able to make your fasteners look into a $500 threading lathe or whatever deal is local to to you, the alternative is taps and dies, both should be right if your goal is to make and learn as opposed to just get things patched easily. 

[LittleWatchShop]

Problem solved.  Yeah, I bought some bolts on Ebay...they will show up someday.

Then, I thinks...my wife collects everything...and we have 20 acres.  That bike up the drive way...yard art...hmmmm...I wonder.

As luck would have it the bike must have parachuted in from across the pond.  Sure enough. 5/16, 26 TPI axle.  The lady was OK with me stealing the axle and replacing with with a nail (hey...it is yard art).

Removed the axle, cleaned it up, cut it to length and mounted on the borel platform.

Voila!

[jdm]

18 minutes ago, LittleWatchShop said:

As luck would have it the bike must have parachuted in from across the pond.  Sure enough. 5/16, 26 TPI axle. 

Or from China
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Standard_Cycle