Thread: Where to get 1/16 stainless washers?

1/64" increments are not used because the system was not organized that way. You asked a question why you couldn't find 1/16" washers and I gave you an explanation of why. So on this side of the pond, we have drills organized by fractionals, numbers and letters...and there are very few if any direct equivalents between them.

As to why things are organized the way they are, why are cans sized by number? Why is wire sized by gauge and not diameter in some measurement of length? Why are tires sized by section width in mm, height in percentage and wheel size in inches? Because someone long ago decided that was the standard.

Cans sized by number?.... oh boy.


In any case, if I understand you correctly, there is no such thing as a screw with a certain diameter that can be expressed in fractions. Instead, the diameter is a non expressionable value, chosen in such way that it approximates a fractional size such as 1/16, but which allows you to count a whole number of threads per inch?

Yes cans are actually numbered.

Standard Can Number Sizes - Everything2.com

The smallest fractional fastener would be 1/4-20 or 1/4-24 depending on whether you need coarse or fine thread. Smaller than that are numbered fasteners, beginning with 10-24 or 10-32 depending again on whether you need coarse or fine thread. The smallest being 00-90.

Originally Posted by Bruno

Cans sized by number?.... oh boy.


In any case, if I understand you correctly, there is no such thing as a screw with a certain diameter that can be expressed in fractions. Instead, the diameter is a non expressionable value, chosen in such way that it approximates a fractional size such as 1/16, but which allows you to count a whole number of threads per inch?

Here's a 'Pitch Gauge' you use it to find how many threads per inch or MM a screw or bolt has. This happens to show MM.


Regardless of how you are measuring something, if a rod was Exactly the same size as the inside diameter of the washer it wouldn't 'slide' through. If the washer was heated then the rod would 'press' through. However once the washer had cooled the rod couldn't rotate! That's why when a washer is called say 1/8" the ID is actually larger! In some cases much larger! I've used a 7/16" washer with a 1/2" bolt!