MICK’S WORKSHOP FIVE ★ STAR
Got a problem?
SEND YOUR EMAILS TO: uniquecars@bauertrader.com.au or via snail mail at Unique Cars, Locked Bag 12, Oakleigh, 3166. Yep, he’s gonna fix you up in no time…
BOLTS N THREADS
It’s funny how it’s often the really simple things that can trip you up over a long project, such as the seemingly harmless nut and bolt.
Just to confuse things, there are multiple types of threads out there, such as UNC, UNF, metric and even proprietary threads from the days when manufacturers were making everything down to their own bolts.
With a big project, I’ll often buy new set of bolts, but also get the originals cleaned up and plated so there’s a good choice to work from when you get to reassembly. The last thing you want is to be held up a day, halfway through a critical task, because you’re missing a bolt.
Oh, and get to know your local bolt specialist – the local hardware store are of minimal use in this environment, while a specialist is worth their weight in gold. Remember sometimes it isn’t just a matter of getting the correct thread and length, but the correct material for the job and the stresses or loads involved.
Now here’s a little trick you might want to try. You know how some people count rosaries or worry beads? I used to keep my hands occupied threading nuts and bolts without looking at them. Sounds odd? It’s a trick my grandfather taught me and is invaluable for those surprisingly common situations when you’re working in a tight spot and you can either see a bolt, or turn a nut on to it, but not both at the same time!
The other great time-saver is having a decent bench grinder and wire wheel on hand. If you nick or damage to show you what I mean. Search for ‘Mick’s workshop bolts’.
