Threading questions

[LarryFahn]

I'm familiar with tapping, but what's it called when using a die? Dieing? Tapping? Or just threading? Curious...


Second, what's the way you're supposed to thread a rod with a die? Aligning it is nearly impossible. I do have access to a small lathe and Bridgeport. I'm trying to thread the outside of a 6mm rod with an M6 x 1.0 die. I was considering on turning the OD down to the minor diameter of the M6 thread and leaving it about a 1/4" for the die to rest on so alignment wasn't an issue. Any other ways? Let me know. Thanks

 

[nadogail]

You hold your Die Stock as straight as you and use the taper to get the thread started.

 

[The Cobbler]

Blondihacks on You tube did a video on making a die follower that mounts in the tailstock of the lathe and aligns the die ,allowing it to slide as you thread

 

[bwringer]

The secret to threading with a die is chamfering the stock. A "generous" chamfer as the olde books used to say.

 

[bwringer]

Blondihacks on You tube did a video on making a die follower that mounts in the tailstock of the lathe and aligns the die ,allowing it to slide as you thread

Chamfers are, as you know, what separates us from the animals...

 

[no704]

Get a tailstock die holder. Pretty cheap and work well.

 

[larry_g]

Also understand that the stock size matters. You do not start an M6 on a 6mm od rod. Here is one calculator that gives you the OD of the stock recommended for the thread your cutting. https://littlemachineshop.com/mobile/die_threading.php

Just the first one that came up on google but there are many others out there.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[paulsomlo]

It also depends on the die you're using - if it's the standard non adjustable hex die, you're going to have a tough time, as they're best suited for rethreading.

 

[alfadan]

If you don't want to spend the dough on a die holder for the tailstock, you can just push up against the die with the quill. You need three hands to keep feeding the quill and turning the diestock, but it'll get you started straight.

 

[DGersic]

I'm familiar with tapping, but what's it called when using a die? Dieing? Tapping? Or just threading? Curious...


Second, what's the way you're supposed to thread a rod with a die? Aligning it is nearly impossible. I do have access to a small lathe and Bridgeport. I'm trying to thread the outside of a 6mm rod with an M6 x 1.0 die. I was considering on turning the OD down to the minor diameter of the M6 thread and leaving it about a 1/4" for the die to rest on so alignment wasn't an issue. Any other ways? Let me know. Thanks

I’ve always just called it threading, or cutting threads.

I don’t have a lathe. I just chamfer the end, and hold the die straight while getting it started.

 

[LarryFahn]

If you don't want to spend the dough on a die holder for the tailstock, you can just push up against the die with the quill. You need three hands to keep feeding the quill and turning the diestock, but it'll get you started straight.

This is kinda what I did. I chucked on the material and locked the spindle. We have a jacobsen chuck in the tailstock. I put a bolt in the tail/chuck to push flat on the die. Turning the small die handle with one hand and the tailstock wheel with the other for the first thread or two. It worked out good.

Thanks for the advice everyone.