Wanted: M15 tap & die

[Sir Nikolas Vendigroth]

Hi chaps.

I'd like to buy, rent or borrow an M15 tap and die. It's critically got to be M15 flavour, and I need both tap and die, as I've got a hole to make and a metal rod to thread in that size.

I'd have gone to ebay, but the prices they're asking are just silly 

If you've got these things and are willing to sell them cheaply, can you give me a PM to work out payment?

[Narsil]

M15 threads are rare it would be much easier to fine what you want in M14 or M16. Does it absolutely have to be M15 ?

[Sir Nikolas Vendigroth]

Hi Narsil;

It doesn't specifically have to be an M15 thread, it'd just be hugely beneficial if it was. I've got a 15mm barrel to thread, see?

M14 would be fine, I suppose, if I do a spot of filin' first.

[Dr Alexander Sanguinarius]

This company might be able to help you, but it could be rather expensive to purchase a M15 tap and die.  http://www.mscjlindustrial.co.uk/cgi/insrhm

[Narsil]

What exactly is it that you're trying to do ?

[Reckless Engineer]

I recently had to buy a m17x3mm Tap £115+Vat! When you deviate from standard it gets very expensive.

[architect]

very true. I wonder if it would be cheaper to import from the USA??
I will look at my local supplier here.

[Angus A Fitziron]

Try contacting your local engineering society. They may have a member near you who has a workshop and may be interested in helping out. If push comes to shove and M14 loses you too much metal, could the threads be cut on a lathe?

[architect]

ok never mind seems no one believes there is this number called fifteen between 14 and 16.

[architect]

Try contacting your local engineering society. They may have a member near you who has a workshop and may be interested in helping out. If push comes to shove and M14 loses you too much metal, could the threads be cut on a lathe?

that was something I thought.

[Dr Alexander Sanguinarius]

I'm not sure but have you tried looking at Whitworth and BSP there maybe a closer match that will do what you require.

[Narsil]

The problem is that 15mm isn't a standard ISO thread size so tooling needs to be specially made which makes it expensive.

I assume that you have a 15mm rod or tube which you need to thread into a hole. If there is enough material ie it's not a thin wall tube the easiest thing would probably to get it turned down to 14mm (this is still likely to be cheaper than getting a custom tap and die set), the next alternative would be to put a sleeve on it and go up a size or two.

Other possibilities exist depending on exactly what you want to achieve.

[Winston Smith]

There's a place in Dorset that does model engineering supplies I used to use, can't remember the name off hand though.  
 If your looking to import from USA, Victor Machinery Exchange in New York has best selection I've seen here with some pretty odd sizes
 If it doesn't have to be 15mm, the closest thing would be a 9/16" or 5/8" BSF
Just checked, Victor lists 15mm tap  in various pitches from 0.50mm to 2.00mm so probably has die as well.
Tap is only $15.60 ( that's cheap  )
 If they won't ship overseas (many American companies wont, don't want to deal with customs declaration) you could have it shipped to me and I'll forward it
http://www.victornet.com/subdepartments/Metric-Taps/1310.html

[Dr Alexander Sanguinarius]

This compay http://www.engineering-supplies.com do M15x1 taps £16.73 + VAT the dies are more costly at £33.16 + VAT for a M15x1 die nut they also do other pitches but they cost more.

[Sir Nikolas Vendigroth]

The problem is that 15mm isn't a standard ISO thread size so tooling needs to be specially made which makes it expensive.

I assume that you have a 15mm rod or tube which you need to thread into a hole. If there is enough material ie it's not a thin wall tube the easiest thing would probably to get it turned down to 14mm (this is still likely to be cheaper than getting a custom tap and die set), the next alternative would be to put a sleeve on it and go up a size or two.

Other possibilities exist depending on exactly what you want to achieve.

Hi Narsil, sorry for the late reply.

I've got an airgun barrel that I want to thread to accept a sound moderator, the barrel's 15mm in diameter. Turning it down to 14mm isn't out of the question at all, nor is increasing the diameter by putting a collar on.I believe I'm sufficiently aware of UK laws to do this legally, by the way - I did my homework...

For that matter, an overbarrel moderator secured with a grub screw's not out of the question either, and wouldn't require a die...

[akumabito]

What airsoft gun are you using? There are adapters for many models..

http://www.wolfarmouries.co.uk/airsoft/bb/category.asp?page=category&id=111

I've also seen some universal adapters that need not to be screwed onto the barrel..

[Narsil]

yeah I'd be tempted to go for some sort of clamp fitting, you might find that a barrel is a bit on the hard side to easily take a thread.

If you would prefer a screw fitting for convenience one option might be to make a threaded sleeve which can be clamped on.  In some ways this is a better engineering solution as its easier to repair if the thread gets damaged, something which is always a bit of a concern when you;re making threaded connections directly onto a large component. 

[Sir Nikolas Vendigroth]

What airsoft gun are you using? There are adapters for many models..

http://www.wolfarmouries.co.uk/airsoft/bb/category.asp?page=category&id=111

I've also seen some universal adapters that need not to be screwed onto the barrel..

Ew, airsoft. Icky.

This sound moderator's for a .22 air rifle.

Thanks for the overbarrel idea, chaps, I'll look into it.

[akumabito]

lol, same principle, really
The clamping soluition should still work