This is a placeholder topic for “10 sets M3 * 10 hexagonal standoffs mounting kit” comments.
Suitable for all kinds of circuit boards, sensors, mechanical support of the installation. They are great for building a multi-level robot chassis. This 10-pack of standoffs includes 10 sets screws and nuts for securing the top of the standoff to your project.
Read moreWhat is the appropriate size nut driver for 10 sets M3 * 10 hexagonal standoffs mounting kit | Buy in Australia | FIT0063 | DFRobot | Core Electronics ? “M3” sometimes means 5mm, 5.5mm, or 3/16" (~4.7mm).
Hi James
Approximate won’t do. you will probably wreck the nut.
The size you want is 5.5mm AF (Across Flats)
That is just a load of garbage. “M3” is a definite size. Unless you are referring to length in which case 3/16" would never be specified. M3 is metric and would be specified as such.
Cheers Bob
PS.
You might be getting confused as sometimes the thread pitch is quoted. I have a chart somewhere with all this.
For instance we have M2.5 x 0.45, M3 x 0.5 M4 x 0.7 and so on. When you get to M8 you start to get the choice of 2 pitches at each size. Example M8 x 1.25 and M8 x 1.0, M12 x 1.75 and M12 x 1.25.
Approximate won’t do. you will probably wreck the nut.
The size you want is 5.5mm AF (Across Flats)
Correct, that’s why I said “appropriate”, and not “approximate”.
That is just a load of garbage. “M3” is a definite size. Unless you are referring to length in which case 3/16" would never be specified. M3 is metric and would be specified as such.
I have a 5.5mm nut setter bit and a pack of these standoffs. The standoffs are too small to be driven by the 5.5mm bit.
So either the standoffs are not actually M3, and “M3” in the context of this product has a non-standard meaning, or, Makita are not making their nut setters to spec.
Hi James
Humble apologies. I think I am going blind in my old age (90 next month) or I am reading things too quickly. I completely mis read that.
That is not very unusual. I assume that it is the standoff itself that is too small and the nut is OK. Is that correct?
If that is the case I note that screws are provided. See if the nut fits onto a screw. I strongly suspect it won’t.
I think what you could have here is a hybrid. M2.5 stand off with an M3 male threaded part. This could be so as most boards with mounting holes will only accept M2.5 mounting screws. This sort of thing is not unusual and different mixes are readily available at the larger and specialist suppliers.
Let us AND CORE the results of your findings
Cheers Bob
A bit of trivia.
An interesting (and frustrating) period in electronics years ago was the transition from general usage of BA (British Association and the sort of “Standard” for this industry), thru UNC and UNF to finally Metric threads. Those little stand off type retainers for Sub D connectors were a nightmare. Different combinations of all 3 thread types were available and used.
Humble apologies. I think I am going blind in my old age (90 next month) or I am reading things too quickly. I completely mis read that.
No worries - I hope I’m still making things at 90 
While I would ideally have a micrometer to make more precise measurements, it appears that the “M3” refers to the screw accepted by the standoff, which has an approximately 3mm major diameter shank, whereas the standoff itself appears to be an M2-sized hex nut (~4mm flat-to-flat).
Hi James
It does indeed look like a M3 screw.The hex stand off could be 5mm AF which would equate to M2.5 which is what the male thread could be.
That scenario would still make sense. An M3 screw to mount to a panel and M2.5 post to accommodate board mounting holes.
By the way if you google “metric nut dimensions” you will come up with several charts with all the information you need.
And yes a digital caliper would make these measurements a bit easier. The pretty cheap 150mm units on offer are not too bad for this sort of thing and are quite accurate enough for purpose. I personally have a Kincrome Digital Vernier Caliper it is called which seems pretty OK.
Cheers Bob
Thanks Bob. I should probably just get a set of manual metric nut drivers anyway. Have added the Kincrome Digital Vernier Caliper to my shopping list.
Cheers, James.
Hi James
Always useful, believe me.
Caliper will be a good addition to the kit.
Would you believe up until a few years ago I had a set of BA nut drivers. All the even numbers from 0BA to 8BA with a couple of odd thrown in, namely 3BA and 5BA which were used on OAK wafer switches
Cheers Bob
Having obtained a set of metric nut drivers, I can report that the most appropriate size is 5mm - looser than ideal, but eminently workable. 4.5mm is very slightly too small.
If I may ask, given your age, do you have electronics experience pre- solid state components?
Hi James
Oh yes. I even remember when diodes were thermionic 2 element valves.
All those hot things. Oh what a warm feeling.
Cheers Bob
5mm, M2.5 I think
Welcome to the forum, @James92959,
Great to see Bob was able to help you help out while the Core staff were on break.
As you can tell, he has a wealth of experience.
Definitely a good idea, they are extremely handy when making measurements.
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