M4 Thread

[Greeny]

I'm going to have a bash at making some mounts, could you boys give me some clue what I need to tap M4 holes in some aluminium? I'm guessing I need a thread tap, but do I need a die as well? (whatever that actually is). Some hints as to a reputable seller of whatever is required would be nice also if you have any suggestions (uk).

Many thanks.

[ỒĊBłůē]

A spiral tap should do it, prolly a second and a bottom if it's ali - shouldn't really need a taper.

You'll need a tap wrench too - ratchet ones work well - look on ebay.

As for the taps themselves mebbe try farnell online?

[fivecheebs]

A die puts a thread on the outside of a rod. Taps, as you know, do internal threads.

Screwfix is OK, but it can be dear compared to a cheap set from ebay. Better quality though, so it depends how often you will use them.

[Greeny]

I was looking at this place: http://www.uni-thread.com/ but I'm still utterly confused as to which of their products fits my requirement?

[fivecheebs]

Follow the menu to Metric> then you choose from 2 m4 taps with different thread pitch.

[Greeny]

Your a gentlemen and a scholar Mr Cheebs, many thanks to yourself and Bluey. Looks like I'm screwed 'till I suss out the thread pitch then, 'scuse the pun. :)

[lbreevesii]

< needs a tap and die set....

I took apart my classic remington 550-1 .22 rifle the other to night to find that the screw that seats the sear spring is semi-stripped and needs retapping....its gonna be a biotch to get back in without fixing it...

[ỒĊBłůē]

If it's a standard M4 screw you're using it'll be an M4 x 0.7mm tap you're after.

[fivecheebs]

Your a gentlemen and a scholar Mr Cheebs, many thanks to yourself and Bluey. Looks like I'm screwed 'till I suss out the thread pitch then, 'scuse the pun. :)

LOL! ... i dont remember the details of figuring out the pitch. Its the number of full turns in a certain length iirc. I think there is some info here somewhere on how to do it.

[ỒĊBłůē]

Do it the lazy way - get yerself a metric thread gauge ;-)

[Greeny]

Aye now that I know what I need, the terminology and what the numbers actually stand for I will manage to work out the specifics of the rest. I don't have the bolts in my possetion yet as I will have to order the block mount which includes them.

[Ze@lot]

i found this site a little while ago

http://www.modelfixings.co.uk/metric_taps.htm