How to drive a 1.6mm bolt and a 1.6mm nut.

[jarndice]

I use a lot of different size nuts and bolts in my builds,
Finding the appropriate size is rarely a problem, Finding a spanner or socket often is,
I needed a 1.6mm spanner or socket to drive some nuts and bolts,
Riffling through my box of things that will come in handy one day, Staring me in the face was a Hex headed screw,
The size of the thread was unimportant, what was, was what size hex driver fitted into the head?
1.6mm
So turn the screw upside down and fit the head of the screw over the 1.6mm bolt or nut and turn until tight.
Just one question,
Why do people make particular size nuts and bolts if nobody makes the spanners and sockets to drive them?
Shaun.

[jarndice]

Mick have another look at one point six millimetres (1.6mm), and then tell me you can use an adjustable spanner in and around a 1/16 Tank.
And your link to the metric spanners shows the smallest as three millimetres (3mm).
Shaun.

[43rdRecceReg]

I use a lot of different size nuts and bolts in my builds,
Finding the appropriate size is rarely a problem, Finding a spanner or socket often is,
I needed a 1.6mm spanner or socket to drive some nuts and bolts,
Riffling through my box of things that will come in handy one day, Staring me in the face was a Hex headed screw,
The size of the thread was unimportant, what was, was what size hex driver fitted into the head?
1.6mm
So turn the screw upside down and fit the head of the screw over the 1.6mm bolt or nut and turn until tight.
Just one question,
Why do people make particular size nuts and bolts if nobody makes the spanners and sockets to drive them?
Shaun.

Try this firm, Shaun. They offer a wide range of screw and nut drivers that meet modellers' needs. https://www.digikey.co.uk/products/en/t ... %20drivers I bought a set ranging from 1mm up to 3.5mm through Amazon (Japanese made), but it was quite pricey. In addition, don't Prime-miniatures (one of your fave outlets ) offer wee nut drivers? I bought a 2mm hex driver form them; but again, it wasn't cheap. A German import, I think (like the English )....

[jarndice]

Hi Roy, Thanks for the input, a lot of pages to trek through on the "Digikey" site,
As to Prime Miniatures, not surprisingly I went there first but they don't sell a 1.6mm "Nut Spinner" and that is what started me on a journey looking for an alternative and as this really works I shall wait until I have another odd! size nut/bolt needing a socket or spanner.
Shaun.

[43rdRecceReg]

Hi Roy, Thanks for the input, a lot of pages to trek through on the "Digikey" site,
As to Prime Miniatures, not surprisingly I went there first but they don't sell a 1.6mm "Nut Spinner" and that is what started me on a journey looking for an alternative and as this really works I shall wait until I have another odd! size nut/bolt needing a socket or spanner.
Shaun.

This is the brand that I bought,. Shaun. Perhaps it would be utopian to hope for a 1.6mm driver, but with a judicious spot of enlargement, this tool could be your best friend If you use this size frequently, then I'd advise you to invest in one .. .

[jarndice]

Roy, I just found a short threaded 1.6 mm Hex Headed 3 mm screw and I have run two 5 BA nuts down the thread and locked the two nuts together,
This little conversion now fits snugly within a 5 BA "Drapers" Socket and with my mini "Drapers" ratchet I have my own Cheeep 1.6 mm nut/bolt driver,
Job Done.
Shaun.

[43rdRecceReg]

Roy, I just found a short threaded 1.6 mm Hex Headed 3 mm screw and I have run two 5 BA nuts down the thread and locked the two nuts together,
This little conversion now fits snugly within a 5 BA "Drapers" Socket and with my mini "Drapers" ratchet I have my own Cheeep 1.6 mm nut/bolt driver,
Job Done.
Shaun.

necessity..the mother of invention..'
I sometimes magnetise nuts, washers, bolts etc., with my magnetic tray (not my magnetic personality). That makes them sort of cling to one another in the fitting process: useful for those occasions when you could do with three hands.
A spot of blu-tack can be used to help a driver grip a bolt/ screw /washer/ to position tiny screws in inaccessible places. Just as blu-tack, or tissue, can wedge a nut in a spinner while you're fitting it. All too often these minuscule nuts fall into the works or, worse still..the carpet.
As for tools- and as you've just demonstrated- if you can't find one for the job, make one.

[jarndice]

You are of course right just as using a tool for something other than what it was designed for,
If I am trying to fit or start screwing a small screw in somewhere tight I generally fit the head of the screw into a Pin Vise, Just to get it started.
A larger screw or nut will often fit snugly into a drinking straw which will hold it in place as you attempt to reach the elusive hole, nut or thread.
Lateral thinking.
SHaun.

[43rdRecceReg]

You are of course right just as using a tool for something other than what it was designed for,
If I am trying to fit or start screwing a small screw in somewhere tight I generally fit the head of the screw into a Pin Vise, Just to get it started.
A larger screw or nut will often fit snugly into a drinking straw which will hold it in place as you attempt to reach the elusive hole, nut or thread.
Lateral thinking.
SHaun.

..and you just described the process I used for fitting most of those tiny bolts in the Cromwell sprockets. The pin vice can work as pretty well as a nut spinner, and did, until the Wera tool I'd ordered (2mm) from Prime-Miniatures dropped though my letter box. Then I took the plunge, and bought a small set of their (excellent) spinners..