Bolt sizes (dumb question)

[Minwah]

I am looking for some really small bolts for something I'm working on for my cable-less swappable panels.  Most websites list bolts in sizes like #6-32 or 1/4-20...but I haven't a clue what this means.  How can I determine the diameter of the bolt shaft from these figures?

BTW I understand metric sizes (M4, M8 etc.), but this is pretty alien to me.  Any help would be appreciated.

[Samstag]

You can use this chart as a reference.

[PileDriver]

Hi,
The first number is the diameter and the second is the threads per inch. 6,8,10 are small sizes (Under 1/4 inch). 6 being the smallest.
#6 has a diameter of 0.138. #8 = 0.164. #10 = 0.190. 1/4 and above are the diameter of the screw (1/4 is 1/4 or 0.250) Hope I explained this right.
Check here for a chart
http://www.engineersedge.com/screw_threads_chart.htm

Didn't catch Samstag's post sorry for the double info

[Minwah]

Thanks for the replies, that's exactly what I was looking for

[Tiger-Heli]

Also, #4-40's are pretty common for electrical components, like probably what you use for making sure the VGA cable (or Printer cable) stays connected to the computer.

[ShadowStitch]

If I might add another dumb question to the mix:

I've read that most games use #10-24 carriage bolts for the control panel. I don't know whether this is true or not...

Besides that, does anyone know the exact size of the carriage bolts used on Nintendo control panels? I don't know if they are #10-24 or something else entirely; I haven't been able to dig up any concrete measurements... every online catalog I've found just lists them as "Nintendo bolts." 
They must be pretty special if places sell them for over a dollar apiece, while normal #10-24 carriage bolts go for less than a quarter each.

[AlanS17]

I can't be sure, but I would venture to guess that Nintendo bolts are just like any others. Ultimately, you just need something that fits the whole and has a matching nut. As long as you have a matching nut, it doesn't matter what your threading is. And #10 is about the standard size for bolts in the control panel. Anything larger is too big and anything smaller is too small. There's the slim possibility that it could be smaller, but I highly doubt it.

[RayB]

Nintendo control panels use these little thin bolts. ArcadeShop.com sell them.

[jcrouse]

Ahh yes, a throw back question to my Tool and Die.Tool Designer/Mechanical Engineer days! To convert the numeric (diameter) portion to a decimal use this formula. # x .013 + .060. So for a #10 screw it would be:

10 x .013 + .06 = .190 diameter

John