Can someone please recommend a supplier (continental US) for metric fittings? I have to convert a M8 fitting to 3/8 Flare or 1/4 NPT. I had no luck on the web for US supplier - may need to find out how you buy from McMaster. Thanks, Joe

I think I ran across a similar situation! I just found some fitting threads in my rebuild that are bigger than 1/8" but smaller than 1/4" and the pitch is funny. I don't know where my metric ruler is, but I am suspecting that they might be metric fittings. Anyways, I mainly wanted to comment on mcmaster.com. I have ordered from them twice and it is pretty easy and seamless. If you find the part on their site, great. Add it to your order, checkout with a credit card, then they will send you a receipt via email with the shipping cost. So you don't find out what the shipping costs until after you place your order, but both times I ordered from them, they sent my package UPS ground and shipping was appropriate for that service. The most recent order was about $11 shipping but it was a big box of insulation. I believe a smaller box I ordered previously was a few dollars less.

Thanks Jonny- Here I go -Yet another login to remember!

Can someone please recommend a supplier (continental US) for metric fittings? I have to convert a M8 fitting to 3/8 Flare or 1/4 NPT.

I'm sorta curious - where is the M8 fitting on your "new" machine?

That specific adaptor would be very unusual - perhaps custom. Nevertheless, the search engine on this site shows some hints:
search.php?keywords=metric+adaptors&ter ... t=0&ch=300

search.php?keywords=thread+adaptors&ter ... t=0&ch=300

I assume it is a male thread? M8 x 1.25? If it were a female M8 x 1.25, I do have that adaptor - relatively expensive though.

Hello Eric,
The M8 was a false lead. I found a part number on the casting of the valve body and looked it up. The listing said "M8". However, once I got the valve apart, it is some really strange fine thread, nearly half inch male that I need to match with a female. It most certainly didn't match the pitch of an M12. I worked around the problem by modifying the valve. Thanks for the help- Joe

The big name in these items is Reid Supply (online). They furnish the machining industry. I use them for parts and fixtures for my woodworking shop. Many, many metric-standard screws, bolts, adaptors. And in brass, too.

Joe,

I've never seen or used the kind of adaptor you're asking for.
This is something you actually can get at your local ace hardware. The tapered threads of USP are actually close enough to the BSP threads of your san marco, that you can screw on the tapered USP fitting to the parallel threads of the BSP and it will seal fine. Use some teflon tape and you'll be fine.
I hate this type of repair but it is sometimes unavoidable, as in your case.

Espresso machine fittings can be confusing because while the actual tubing is measured at 8mm as you describe, the pitch and threads are measured in inch. I.e. 3/8 BSP (espresso machine) is very very CLOSE to the USP 3/8 found at your local hardware store.

HTH,

Thanks everyone- Now I know where to get the odd stuff.

I took a different approach and cut an internal thread on the fittings. It appears to have turned out ok.

Playa Espresso Cart 6 - The other kind of grind

Appreciate the tips-

Joe

On this pic
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r156 ... dapter.jpg
you see the adaptor you need.Just between the siver waterhose and the solenoid valve.
Bought it at my local hardwarestore in The Netherlands.Nothing exotic.Should be able to buy over the pond too.