Mcmaster Carr has thread charts in the catalog. Also templates for sale. https://www.mcmaster.com/products/pipe-size-charts/pipe-size~1-4/
I’ve worked a ton with NPT from 1/8 the to 2-1/2, going on n 45+ years. I head to the HW these days and then have doubts, so I’ll buy a 3/8ths and a 1/2 to make sure I have the right size. I’m not too proud to admit it.
After you have worked with them, you can size them from across the room. Buy a wrong one, return it? He'll no... it goes in the rollaway top drawer to keep the other ones company.
Years ago the local hardware store (when hardware stores actually had what you needed) there was an woman who worked there for years. She could identify a fitting, pipe, flair, compression, etc. from half way across the room. Try to even find someone to help you let alone them actually having it in stock at the local Home Depot or Lowes.
We have a local HW shop that's really good. They've been around for a hundred years, and the staff working there are all old duffers like me. Always get a "need any help" when I walk in the door, even though they know me by name. They DO have most everything, but only ONE of everything. If you want more, it will be in on Thursday...
Where I live it's not the cost of a piece of hardware- It's the time needed to go to town to get it. I organize every piece of shit leftover.
It's plumbing you always have to spent an extra 1/2 hour going back twice to get all the right stuff you need to do the 10 minute job.
Lucky for me, I can walk to Ace Hardware in five minutes. I learn a lot looking through the little parts bins to find what I actually need.
5 minutes ago, from the "Too-good-to-throw-out" bucket. A radiator drain valve that takes a hose. The old plastic valve was leaking (rotten rubber washer). Coolant ran out, hit the front cross member and splashed in multiple directions. Russ
The sight of that drawer full of hardware actually made me lose my sight for a brief moment…… Hard to believe MM would admit to even owning something like that
Man he has good stuff in that drawer, everyone should have a goody stash or three. My stuff is in a few coffee cans, sometimes I amaze myself with what I’ve collected over years. Dan
that old snap on box is my 2nd toolbox and has several "junk drawers" most of which are worse than the fitting drawer... hahaha
I must be more “refined” than Mark, mine are in bread trays on an old bread rack. Now they used to be organized, but ya know how that goes…
The Jalopy Journal
