We’ve all done it a hundred times….we shuffle down to the hardware store with a rusty, mysterious bolt/nut in our hand trying to find a replacement. You’ve already rummaged through coffee cans, mason jars, Big Gulp cups full of random screws, nuts, washers, broken pencils, and old Tic Tacs looking for one but you have every size except the one you need. Even if you did find one, you’d have no idea what size it is….coarse thread? Fine? Standard? Metric? It’s all a mystery. If only you had a Nut-and-Bolt Rosetta Stone to decipher it.
Well, now you do, my friend. Just like the fancy unit the hardware store has to check thread sizes, you can check the sizes of your hodge-podge of hardware in the comfort of your own home. The individual checkers have a hole drilled through them and are attached to a steel cable (a long one by the way, almost three feet long). If the bolt or nut you’re checking isn’t attached to anything (ie, you’re holding it your hand), then the cable isn’t a problem, but if you’re trying to check something that is attached, you have to mess with spinning the entire contraption of cable and checkers. It hasn’t happened to me—and probably won’t, but I’m thinking of cutting the cable and making a holder for the tools. Maybe just a piece of wood with matching size holes bored into it so the pieces can set in there.
The sizes are stamped (then inked) onto the sides, which is nice so you don’t have to worry about anything rubbing off. The stampings are clear and easily readable.
There are other similar checkers on Amazon (similar to the ones in hardware stores mounted onto a nice piece of plastic), but I found that this one has a few more sizes than the others offer, plus I like the idea of being able to use each one individually (if the cable is cut). Trying to find the right size bolt to fit that threaded hole on your brake drum so you can use a bolt to press it off? Yeah, being able to use just a single one of these checkers would work perfect for that.
I bought both the Standard and Metric sizes. The Metric ones have a black oxide coating on them and the Standard ones are zinc coated so it’s easy to tell which are which. All the machining is nice and clean with no visible burs or nicks.
I know, I know. Having this still doesn’t mean you don’t need to go to the hardware store to buy the bolt/nut you need, but at least now instead of schlepping down to the hardware store to get your parts, you can order them online since you know exactly what size you need and maybe save yourself some money and time.
Their website says it’s made in America. Amazon says USA is country of origin. There’s a plastic tag attached to one end of the cable that says “Thread Checker, United States” and then lists a patent #.
You’ll love this. You should get it. You can thank me later.
| Material | Metal |
|---|---|
| Exterior Finish | Black Oxide |
| Color | Black Oxide |
| Brand | Thread Checker |
| Item Hardness | high grade |
| Size | 1.38 x 1.06 x 36.38 inches |
| Manufacturer | Thread Checker |
| Part Number | SWTC-M21 |
| Item Weight | 12 ounces |
| Product Dimensions | 36.38 x 1.06 x 1.38 inches |
| Item model number | SWTC-M21 |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Pattern | Metric Thread Checker |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Measurement System | Metric |
| Batteries Included? | No |
| Batteries Required? | No |
