Quarter inch in metric?(thread size for tripod mount)

[perfect_pixel]

Hi,

Probably a really simple question but I've been to three DIY stores and can't find a bolt that will fit into the tripod mount on the bottom of my camera.

I know it is a standard quarter inch thread but can anyone tell me what I should be looking for in metric terms and how many threads per inch it is?

Thanks in advance :D!


Steve

[Michael]

1 Inch is 2.54 cm, or 254 mm.

[Michael]

So, you are looking for a 63.5mm thread??

[cosworth]

The thread in all modern camera bottoms is 1/4 -20.

This is a very common bolt. You need to find a better store! Maybe your threads are damaged. A 1/4 -20 should go right in.

[perfect_pixel]

Thanks for the quick replies...

So I would be looking (in metric terms) for a 63.5mm diameter bolt with 7.87 threads per centimetre (20 threads per inch)?

Does anyone know what this equates to in terms of M3, M4, M5, M6 or which of THESE (http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/cat.jsp?cId=100039&ts=36963) it would be.

Something so simple and I am completely lost.....

The stores I tried were B&Q, Focus and Homebase I even took my grip along and opened the packets to try them at the first two. I was popular when I walked out with nothing :D!

Thanks again,

Steve

[cosworth]

I'm not sure why you'd need a metric bolt since the threads in your camera are NOT metric.

[JWright]

Having worked in the hardware department of a Home Depot here, I don't think there is a standard metric bolt that is an exact match for a 1/4-20 thread. My suggestion would be to see if you could order it from a US supplier on-line.

IMO, one of the dumbest things the United States ever did was NOT adopting the metric system...

[perfect_pixel]

I'm not sure why you'd need a metric bolt since the threads in your camera are NOT metric.

Because I live in a metric country where even market traders get fined for showing weights in imperial...:rolleyes:

Every bolt I have seen (even online) is described in metric and are what I assume are standardised sizes (i.e. the M4, M5 etc).

If I am completely missing the point then please tell me and if anyone can point me in the right direction for getting some then p l e a s e do - this is beginning to take over my life!! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v640/vendion/1ptgno.gif

Steve

[cosworth]

You are missing the point. I live in a metric coutry as well and it's DEAD EASY for me to find a 1/4- 20 bolt, nut etc. It's quite possibly the most common standard size.

I think you are looking in the wrong spot. Your local fasterner supplier will set you up. Maybe your local machine shop can point you in the right direction if you can't locate them in the phone book.

[Jon]

Seriously, whether you're in a metric-only country or not, you're going to need to find a 1/4"-20 thread screw. There is no metric descriptor.

[perfect_pixel]

Okay, thanks again for the help everyone. If there is no metric equivalent then I will try a smaller non-superstore-chain shop and see what they have - as Cosworth says I must be looking in the wrong place with the larger stores.

Thanks,

Steve

[SimonG]

1 Inch is 2.54 cm, or 254 mm.
Close. It's 25.4 mm to an inch.

[Nanscombe]

Hi Steve,

It may be a daft question, but ... why do you need a bolt to go into the Tripod mount of your camera?

You may be better off looking in camera stores, they will have all sorts of camera mountings, as you may find something that you can adapt. Something like a cheap quick release plate or the like in an oddments bin.

Or perhaps a boot fair.

Regards
Nigel

[montreal]

Close. It's 25.4 mm to an inch.

:D I was about to say...

[alexlex]

1 Inch is 2.54 cm, or 254 mm.

:) :) :) u Ouisses needs to rework on some issues, nhf mate :)

[CyberDyneSystems]

1 Inch is 2.54 cm, or 254 mm.

What?

Your off by a few decimals there,. or that's one small Canon..

1 inch is 25.4mm
1/4" is 6.3mm

[CyberDyneSystems]

So, you are looking for a 63.5mm thread??

Yes, the bolt that attaches his camera to a tripod is about as big around as a coffee cup! :shock:

[perfect_pixel]

Yes, the bolt that attaches his camera to a tripod is about as big around as a coffee cup!

I would just like to say thanks to Sinkrate, I never noticed and what is a decimal place between friends.....

To the rest of you (including a senior mod no less!) http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/images/smilies/hijacked.gif
:lol: :lol: (I've just been playing with the firefox plugin if you can't tell, any excuse...)

@ Nanscombe, not a daft question at all. I've been fiddling with an old panoramic head (making improvements :rolleyes:) and need this bolt to reattach it to the tripod. It was meant to be a really simple change but has grown out of all proportion and I've been stopped in my tracks at the last obstacle - a quarter inch bolt :rolleyes: :evil:


Steve

[Tim Sheridan]

You need a 1/4-20 bolt, commonly called a 1/4 " course thread bolt. The closest metric size (which will not work as it is not the correct thread) is M6.

[SkipD]

Also.... there is a Whitworth thread that is close if not exactly the same pitch. However, the threads used for camera tripod connections (as well as the 3/8-16 thread used to mount heads to tripod) use American style threads (SAE, I believe).

They are both the coarse (as opposed to fine) threads for their diameters here in the U.S.

[CoolToolGuy]

I don't know of a metric equivalent. In addition, the SAE threads are measured in "threads per inch" and metric is measured by the spacing between each turn of the thread. So a 6mm coarse thread is known as 6 x 1.0 - there is 1.0 mm between each peak of the thread. There may be an occasional rough match with SAE, but not in the 6mm range.

If you can't locate something locally, search around on eBay - I'm sure someone is selling something you can use.

Have Fun,

[Nanscombe]

Hi Steve,

I did a search and came up with http://www.silverprint.co.uk/acc16.html.

You may find something usable on their site.

Regards
Nigel

[ruzzz]

The thread you need is a 1/4" whitworth, larger cameras and mounts use a 3/8" whitworth.

As you have found out the larger DIY shops in the uk only do metric stuff, but you might find your local ironmongers does one. I've just moved to Southampton from West London where I had a fantastic shop that had everything you would ever need, you could go in and ask for a 1/4" whitworth and get a reply "certainly sir, what size? " as opposed to a blank stare from a spotty faced youth in the big DIY shops.

[perfect_pixel]

The thread you need is a 1/4" whitworth, larger cameras and mounts use a 3/8" whitworth.

As you have found out the larger DIY shops in the uk only do metric stuff, but you might find your local ironmongers does one. I've just moved to Southampton from West London where I had a fantastic shop that had everything you would ever need, you could go in and ask for a 1/4" whitworth and get a reply "certainly sir, what size? " as opposed to a blank stare from a spotty faced youth in the big DIY shops.


I think it may have been the same youth! I live in Salisbury but work in Southampton/Portsmouth and it's the Southampton stores I've been into :rolleyes:

I do have a small store called bits and bobs just up the road from where I live but it is always closed by the time I get back from work. Will try them if I get away early one day or on Saturday if not. If all else fails then a very kind US member has offered to post some to me, what a great place POTN is! :D

Thanks for the help,


Steve