We use a product called DBA that is used by many companies and is relatively cheap. Like any such system, it takes some time to setup and learn how to use it effectively.
http://www.dbasoftware.com/products.html
They advertise that they are #1 in software for manufacturing and job shops and a...
I can't truly answer the question of where this oddball size came from. I believe some companies come up with oddball taps so customers will have to come back to them for parts. However, there is a company called TAPCO in Rockford, Illinois that can make any tap you want. They are, of course...