Replies

1. 
   wood_donkey | Jun 16, 2007 03:50am | #1

   If you have access to a mill, you could make them yourself...in a pinch a drill press with a v-block and clamp.  A tap should not run more than 4-5 dollars.  Just make sure the tap drill size is the correct diameter.  Here is a tap drill chart - http://www3.telus.net/public/aschoepp/tapdrill.html

   1/2-13 (coarse) would need a 29/64 for steel and a 1/2-20 (fine) would need a 15/32 for steel.  Both those sizes would not usually be included in drill index found at a home center, but can be ordered online along with the tap from ENCO or McMaster-Carr.

   Donkey

2. 
   Cincinnati | Jun 16, 2007 04:55am | #2

   I have never seen 1/2" tapped dowels. I have seen a lot of 1/4-20 dowels. McMaster Carr has them as does Rockler at a little better price. But why not make your own if you feel you need the strength of 1/2" dia bolts to attach the aprons.

   Or, if you can work out the design, use large washers or file flats on the washers to make them work in the aprons. Just a wild idea. I'd fab my own threaded dowels.

    

    

   GREG

   •••••••

   Exo 35:30-35

3. 
   [email protected] | Jun 16, 2007 06:39am | #3

   LeeValley has them as bench bolts.

   http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=31147&cat=1,41637

1. 
   PatCap | Jun 16, 2007 02:25pm | #4

   That's exactly what I need, but 2 sets would  be 50 bucks plus shipping. The bolts are cheap, I guess those barrel nuts is what cost so much.

1. 
   [email protected] | Jun 16, 2007 07:18pm | #5

   Depending on how your rails are designed and how cosmetically pleasing things need to be:  You could just make rectangular or square nuts from flat stock, and tap them.  Or, if you can get 1-inch mild steel rod, you can make your own.  But this entails a 1/2-13 tap and a matching drill bit, which will run around 25 to 30-dollars to buy.  This assumes you have a drill press.  (You can make "V" blocks.)

   Also, a good hardware store might have or be able to get square nuts in 1/2-13 for you.  However, you will probably have to buy a whole box, unless you have a really good hardware store nearby, and the box of fifty will be around $50.  Only good side is you will have spares.  You may be able to find hanger blots that big but that leaves you loking for not too ugly nuts. 

   Or, you can just bite the bullet and buy the LeeValley ones. 

   Edited 6/16/2007 1:37 pm ET by Jigs-n-fixtures

4. 
   byhammerandhand | Jun 16, 2007 07:19pm | #6

   Why not cut a mortise and stick in a nut and washer -- a lock nut if you really want to splurge? I have both a Tage Frid workbench and a loft bed made this way.

1. 
   PatCap | Jun 16, 2007 09:36pm | #7

   That's the way I'm going thanks.

5. 
   Deleted | Oct 24, 2020 08:09am | #8

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