questions about what a term means, or about what the best term is for an object or situation
Questions tagged [terminology]
63 questions
21
votes
2 answers
What do the numbers in screw sizes M3, M4 etc. mean?
I noticed that in some (many?) countries, screw sizes are listed as "M+number", e.g. M3, M4, M5 and so on.
What does this size designation mean?
einpoklum
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21
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3 answers
What is the name of this part of drawers?
I was trying to describe a specific part of a set of drawers in another question, and cannot find the right name for it.
A photo showing the same part. Notice not all drawers have these, or they may be spaced out in a reduced number - I have one…
Criggie
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18
votes
5 answers
What are wrenches called that are just cut out of steel flats?
There are wrenches that are used to get into tight spaces that are just flat pieces of metal with a hexagonal hole cut out of them. Often they come with things like table saws and are used to move the arbor nut and change the blade.
Is there are a…
Tyler Durden
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17
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1 answer
What are "backstab" receptacles/outlets?
Several questions and answers on the site mention electrical outlets or receptacles with "backstab" holes (just a short while ago, here). I'm sure people in the US find that description to be obvious, but for the benefit of those of us from other…
einpoklum
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16
votes
5 answers
What is "pipe dope"?
People often refer to "pipe dope" when talking about sealing threads of pipe fittings, but when I go to Home Depot or Lowes or whatever, I've never seen anything on the shelf labeled "Pipe Dope". This seems to be an old-fashioned word that people…
JPhi1618
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15
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2 answers
What's the term for a hole with a screw thread?
I'm replicating a drawer handle that fits on an M4 screw. If you'd look inside the plastic hole, you can see a gold-colored metal tube that has screw threads. That's what the screw screws into.
My question is: What is the technical term for this…
Ram Rachum
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14
votes
7 answers
A type of compartment that rises out of a desk
I'm building a computer desk and I had the idea to hide some speakers in a compartment towards the back. I'd like the speakers to pop up out of the desk on some kind of mechanism that rises up, kind of like an old top loading VCR, maybe something…
Bamboo
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13
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9 answers
What is the name of this metal bar with holes at the ends?
I need to find a metal part that looks a bit like this:
hole for bolt strong metal
| |
___|____________________________v_______
/ v \
( (_) …
Village
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12
votes
2 answers
"key will unlock the door" vs "key will *open* the door, but not unlock"
Can anyone help me with terminology to describe two different types of functioning in a door lock. (Please note, I am not talking about a lock that is broken.)
My front door and my back door both have regular old fashioned doorknobs which take a…
Lorel C.
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11
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4 answers
What is the protective plate on a door lock called?
Some doors have this plate that guards the latch mechanism.
For some reason my search-fu is failing, I found tons of diagrams of lock and door parts but I can't find that plate.
What is that called?
Jason C
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10
votes
1 answer
What is the proper name for a solid French Door?
I was looking to get some interior doors installed in my home. What I would have called "French Doors", i.e. two doors the swing open from the middle of the frame.
However, as I was talking to my superior wife, I was informed that French Doors have…
Skooba
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10
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2 answers
What's the difference between Casing and Trim?
I was recently told that the previous owners of our house used casing instead of the trim throughout the house. What is the difference between window casing and trim? Are there are got-yas that I need to be aware of because one was used and not the…
Scott
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9
votes
2 answers
What is the proper term for a latch that uses a loop and lever to draw things together?
In this answer I advised the OP to use what I called a 'toggle latch' or 'draw latch'. Do these things have a proper name?
Tester101
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9
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1 answer
8
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5 answers
Polaris type electrical connectors terminology
I have a question regarding Polaris type electrical connectors. I should state right up front I am NOT an electrician, but have done some home wiring and think I know most of the basics.
I am trying to tap into an electrical circuit that is a 8…
Neil
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