Anything actually use #14 machine screws?

Conrad Hoffman · May 28, 2021

Our tapping head has an adapter for these and I even have a #14 tap in my collection, but in 40 years I've never seen a #14 machine screw used in anything. How often do you actually see one?

FredC · May 28, 2021

I made some for a customer once. Never seen them on the shelf though,

Kyle Smith · May 28, 2021

I've never seen an application in the wild, but I did mess up a batch of parts by using a #14-20 instead of a 1/4"-20. They look very similar. Luckily I figured this out after heat treat.

Modelman · May 28, 2021

At a place I worked decades ago, they stocked 14-24 hex nuts. Seems I recall it was the standard thread for railroad signal relay binding posts. They may have also stocked a couple sizes of machine screws in that thread.

Dennis

L Vanice · May 28, 2021

The Hardinge Cataract bench lathes, made from 1903 to about 1939, had a cast iron tool tray on the left front of the bed. The tray was attached with two 14-24 filister head screws. The holes in the tray were keyholed to allow easy removal of the tray for cleaning.

Larry

ratbldr427 · May 28, 2021

I have a small Brown & Sharpe t&c grinder steady rest that uses them. They were so rusty and worn that I originally thought they were 6 x 1 mm.

Dan from Oakland · May 28, 2021

The brass magnet clamp screws on a Model T Ford flywheel magneto assembly are #14-24 thread.

Bill D · May 28, 2021

For some reason I think Starret uses them today on something like the machine level vial hold down screws or adjusment screw.
Bill D

James H Clark · May 30, 2021

I did run into them about 40 years ago, but don't remember what they were for. That was when I learned that there was such an animal. Now, like every one else, I have one in my box. It is still good as new.
JH

EPAIII · May 31, 2021

Don't be too sure about that. Starrett is infamous for using non standard sizes, as in non standard diameters as well as an odd pitch. You think you know what standard size it is and buy a replacement and it does not fit.

You pay extra for a high priced screw which you must then purchase another high priced, non-standard screw for a replacement when it is worn or lost. And we sing the praises of Starrett.

Bill D said:
For some reason I think Starret uses them today on something like the machine level vial hold down screws or adjusment screw.
Bill D

Conrad Hoffman · May 31, 2021

Glad to see the #14 is an ugly duckling and there isn't some wildly popular use I was unaware of. Still not throwing away my two #14 taps- the minute I do, the need for #14 tapped holes will explode. Thanks!

trevj · May 31, 2021

Conrad Hoffman said:
Glad to see the #14 is an ugly duckling and there isn't some wildly popular use I was unaware of. Still not throwing away my two #14 taps- the minute I do, the need for #14 tapped holes will explode. Thanks!

LOL!

That's a reasonable assumption!

At least Taps don't take up a lot of room in long term storage!

Trying to recall, but IIRC, there was a bunch of computer hardware, racks and shelves and the like, that used the #14 size. Maybe it was #12???

EPAIII · Jun 1, 2021

Standard electronic rack rails usually use 10-32 screws. I used to purchase then by the thousands.

As for computer stuff, those guys are nuts so anything goes.

trevj said:
LOL!

That's a reasonable assumption!

At least Taps don't take up a lot of room in long term storage!

Trying to recall, but IIRC, there was a bunch of computer hardware, racks and shelves and the like, that used the #14 size. Maybe it was #12???

Doozer · Jun 1, 2021

My Brown & Sharpe #13 steady rests have them.

--Doozer

JohnMartin · Jun 1, 2021

EPAIII said:
Don't be too sure about that. Starrett is infamous for using non standard sizes, as in non standard diameters as well as an odd pitch. You think you know what standard size it is and buy a replacement and it does not fit.

You pay extra for a high priced screw which you must then purchase another high priced, non-standard screw for a replacement when it is worn or lost. And we sing the praises of Starrett.

Another way to look at it though, is that - given that the designs of some of their tools date back to before all such things were standardized - it’s sort of nice that a screw on a tool that is now an antique is the same as one produced today. And that they can still supply it.

As to the pricing, it’s my guess that they would much rather have you go to the hardware store than to gouge you on the price of a replacement screw. Pretty tough to make money selling one or two screws at a time.

FredC · Jun 2, 2021

My bad, I found the tap and the bushing, the parts were 12-24. I made the nuts and screws for the job. Part of a oilfield shear screw assembly. Still not a size you see everyday.

gregoryd · Jun 2, 2021

That #14 tap would go well next to the M7 and M11 taps that are in one of my sets.

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Anything actually use #14 machine screws?

Conrad Hoffman

Diamond

FredC

Diamond

Kyle Smith

Stainless

Modelman

Titanium

L Vanice

Diamond

ratbldr427

Titanium

Dan from Oakland

Titanium

Bill D

Diamond

James H Clark

Stainless

EPAIII

Diamond

Conrad Hoffman

Diamond

trevj

Titanium

EPAIII

Diamond

Doozer

Titanium

JohnMartin

Hot Rolled

FredC

Diamond

gregoryd

Hot Rolled

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