Axial M3 pitch

[Dfl4000]

Does anyone know what pitch the M3 screws that come with a Wraith kit? I want to get a tap for some repairs but I don't have a metric thread gauge. Looks like there is two, coarse and fine but at that small size I couldn't tell what axial uses.

[Calderwood]

All of m3 hardware should be .5. I'm not sure why you would have two different pitches of m3.

[Devil Inc]

The "coarse" threads are similar to a wood screw thread, I don't know if there's even a tap available for them. The "fine" thread machine screws are M3-0.5.

There is a M3-0.6, but it's not commonly used.

[Dfl4000]

Awesome, thanks. I figured they where 05 but in the Enco book there was 3 different thread pitches.. 05 seemed to be more common in the screw hardware listings.

[Meatwad]

One could replace all the coarse screws with all machine screws and be done with it. It seems the coarse thread is only good for less revolutions to get em in and out. Having a powered driver makes that a moot point though.

[Dfl4000]

Enco lists M3x-0.45, 0.35, 0.5, 0.6 most screws listed in McMaster Carr where 0.5. So I guessed 0.5 was more common, just wasn't sure. Thanks for all the help. Now I can fix my HR locker.

[Dfl4000]

These little Allens just strip so easily. Drill or by hand. I got Wiha drivers that have a round head but they strip very easy. Live and learn.

[Devil Inc]

I bought a set of ball end drivers as my first set of tools, between the handful of stripped out screws and eventually destroying the drivers themselves. I've since then purchased a quality set of standard hex drivers, haven't stripped out anything since.

[Calderwood]

Originally Posted by Devil Inc

I bought a set of ball end drivers as my first set of tools, between the handful of stripped out screws and eventually destroying the drivers themselves. I've since then purchased a quality set of standard hex drivers, haven't stripped out anything since.

X2... A set of quality drivers and you will never round out a head again.

[Dfl4000]

Yeah, that's the next purchase. I thought the Wiha was a good name. Not what I expected. I am going to find something that is high speed steel, just not sure where to get them yet...

[Charlie-III]

Ball end allen wrenches are NOT really made to break fasteners free or to torque them down. They ARE great to spin stuff in & out.

Read the documentation for just about any brand ball end, it should say the same thing.

[Gravebane525]

hows the powered driver work for you? I've been thinking about one but I strip enough of the holes out doing it on my own. not sure where I'd get heads that small either.

[Calderwood]

Originally Posted by Gravebane525

hows the powered driver work for you? I've been thinking about one but I strip enough of the holes out doing it on my own. not sure where I'd get heads that small either.

You can just use the bits from any good driver set. They come out of the handle since they are replaceable.

[Meatwad]

Originally Posted by Dfl4000

Yeah, that's the next purchase. I thought the Wiha was a good name. Not what I expected. I am going to find something that is high speed steel, just not sure where to get them yet...

Spring steel hex bits seem to work well for me.