VAR third hand — what thread do I need?
05-11-21, 10:14 PM
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VAR third hand — what thread do I need?
I know I should have left it alone — I had the bright idea that I would straighten out the curved clamp screw on my vintage third hand tool, and of course it snapped like a dry pretzel. Does anyone know what thread pitch I will need a replacement to be? The remnant (which I am guarding like a vital organ) fits into the 3/32 slot of my thread gauge, or also a bit loosely in the adjacent M5, but I’m still not sure what pitch to seek. Anyone know? Thanks in advance!
05-12-21, 05:43 AM
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I know I should have left it alone — I had the bright idea that I would straighten out the curved clamp screw on my vintage third hand tool, and of course it snapped like a dry pretzel. Does anyone know what thread pitch I will need a replacement to be? The remnant (which I am guarding like a vital organ) fits into the 3/32 slot of my thread gauge, or also a bit loosely in the adjacent M5, but I’m still not sure what pitch to seek. Anyone know? Thanks in advance!
A quick check of mine indicates that the thread pitch is 1.0mm.
Steve in Peoria
05-12-21, 06:38 AM
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The newer VAR 3rd hand tools with the black knurled thumbscrew use 6mm x 1mm thread, but the older ones with the brass thumbscrew use a different thread. Unfortunately, I don't have one of the old ones to measure. It may be possible to re-tap the tool.
05-12-21, 07:38 AM
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05-12-21, 09:23 AM
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I guess boring it out for an oversized Grade 8 bolt would be overkill...
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05-12-21, 09:41 AM
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Thanks, everyone, for your help on this!
05-12-21, 11:19 AM
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Try contacting VAR and see if they have any institutional memory. You never know.
https://www.vartools.com/en/contact-bike-tools.php
https://www.vartools.com/en/contact-bike-tools.php
05-12-21, 02:05 PM
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Well, based on the advice above and in the other linked thread, I took a chance on these (sized 3/16, 28tpi), and will report back once I get them:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/15425626998...708c%7Ciid%3A1
I also wrote to VAR to confirm the size and see about any old stock, so we’ll see what they say...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/15425626998...708c%7Ciid%3A1
I also wrote to VAR to confirm the size and see about any old stock, so we’ll see what they say...
05-12-21, 02:37 PM
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Just our of curiosity did you try a 1/4 - 28 NF screw?
05-12-21, 03:00 PM
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No, my thread gauge has a 1/4” entry, and this screw is considerably narrower than 1/4”. It fits in the imperial 10, which I saw in a different thread translating essentially to 3/16”, which is why I gave it a go with the linked ebay item.
05-12-21, 04:38 PM
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VAR is or was a French company. So expect it to be a metric screw. Sounds like it could be an M6x1mm or an M6x0.8mm or an M6x0.75mm.
Reid
Reid
05-12-21, 05:28 PM
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The linked thread in post #4 above has a lot of relevant info and pics, which show that the part I need was specced as M6x1 as far back as the 1980’s, but mine appears to be older. The thumb screw pictured in the linked thread is about 5mm diameter, and 28tpi or 0.9 appears to be the closest match for the thread pitch. I’ll report back when I get those screws delivered via ebay whether they’re a match. Also, if VAR responds to my query, I’ll report it here.
05-12-21, 05:28 PM
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https://www.sizes.com/tools/thread_sf.htm
05-12-21, 07:10 PM
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Yeah, I’m hopeful...
0.9mm = 0.0354331 inch
0.0354331 x 28 = 0.9921268
So, I’m hoping that’s close enough to 28tpi to hold the tool in place. It’s not mounting a rack, so my demand on it won’t be remarkable.
0.9mm = 0.0354331 inch
0.0354331 x 28 = 0.9921268
So, I’m hoping that’s close enough to 28tpi to hold the tool in place. It’s not mounting a rack, so my demand on it won’t be remarkable.
05-12-21, 07:37 PM
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OTOH, I'm not sure that stuff like Whitworth threads are any less troublesome.
Steve in Peoria
(this VAR tool really is nice to use, so I hope this ends up well)
05-12-21, 08:05 PM
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I'm not sayin' this is the answer, but just so you know: M5 x 1.0 really is a thing (or at least was BITD).
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...ter-braze.html
and look near the end of the first page. Been there . . .
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...ter-braze.html
and look near the end of the first page. Been there . . .
05-26-21, 10:03 PM
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Just closing the loop here — the 3/16” 28tpi screw does thread in, but it’s loose. Thankfully, it holds the arm enough that I can use the tool, but it’s clearly not exactly right. I have found a source for M5x0.9 online, but I’m trying to decide if it’s worth the shipping. This will work for now.
05-26-21, 11:04 PM
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Just closing the loop here — the 3/16” 28tpi screw does thread in, but it’s loose. Thankfully, it holds the arm enough that I can use the tool, but it’s clearly not exactly right. I have found a source for M5x0.9 online, but I’m trying to decide if it’s worth the shipping. This will work for now.
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05-27-21, 09:30 AM
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What you need, sir, is this:
Which is a 5x0.9 thread, I know, 'cause I just made it.
pm me if you are interested (it'll be cheap)...
Which is a 5x0.9 thread, I know, 'cause I just made it.
pm me if you are interested (it'll be cheap)...
Last edited by oneclick; 05-27-21 at 09:35 AM.
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05-27-21, 10:24 AM
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