Thread Cutters

[shedhead]

I would like to try making a box with a threaded lid.
Has anyone got experience with making boxes that have threaded lids instead of the suction fitting kind. I have read that the hand held cutters take some practice to master? I would be grateful if there are any tips to pass on.
The tools and accessories needed add up to being quite expensive, also i see Craft Supplies sell a thread cutting jig p85, again has anyone tried this jig out?

 

[Richard Findley]

Hi Shedhead,

Thread cutting by hand takes a fair bit of practice but once you get the knack its pretty easy. The Crown or Hamlet cutters are best around 18TPI. The slowest speed on your lathe as well. Around 450RPM is fine. I have chased them at 700 but its a little more tricky!!

The key is to let the tool do the work. Once you have the first thread struck then simply allow the cutter to follow. If you try to force it you end up with a mess!!

Dense wood is best, Box or African Blackwood are perfect but there are others.

There are simple insrtuctions supplied with the Crown tools which will set you on your way but a book by John Berkeley is excellent called "All Screwed Up"

Hope this helps,

Richard

 

[shedhead]

Thanks Richard, I have a lot of woodturning DVD's from KTMP they sell the John Bereley DVD series of "All Screwed up". I will have to get the first one as i think watching a demo is best.

 

[cornucopia]

I have seen john demonstrate and have his book, he makes it look unbeliveably easy. i find its the two most important things are getting a parrael thread and using a rythum to chase the thread in with, i normally turn the radio of and count in my head ..1 elephant... two elephant etc

heres one of my box's with a 22tpi thread

 

[TEP]

Mornin' Dermot, as with most ideas to do with woodturning thread chasing is fairly easy. With practice!

Initially, once you have a set of chasers you can start by turning the chuck by hand, and chasing at the same time. It does work, and it gives you a good idea of what is supposed to happen. You do need quite a bit of practice to chase much above 300 - 400 rpm, again just practice. This is were variable speed on your lathe is a great help.

One tip to save a bit of cash, have a look about at a steam rally, or flea market, and usually you can buy old sets of chasers for a quid or so each, and less.(You will have to make handles for them, but we're turners ain't we.) I bought a couple of job lots on ebay for coppers, but most people on there realise that they can ask a lot more these days.

Don't give up, it's easy once you get going.

 

[shedhead]

Thanks Tam for your help. I never thought to look at Ebay. I thought that this would be to special for anyone selling this kind of tool. Where would i look? the first place would be wood turning, but where else.

 

[TEP]

Hi Dermot. Just do a search for "thread chasers" in ebay and some will turn up, they are usually in the "Business, Office & Industrial" section. As I said before they now seem to be going for about £15 each, which is ridiculous when you can pick up old whitworth hand chasers for £1 each at the rally's, markets, & auto jumbles. Although what I do on ebay is save a search for the chasers and you will get a email when anyone puts some up for sale. Don't forget these chasers were originally for metal machining not woodturning. Woodturners just picked up on their use.

IMO the best size to start with is about 24 TPI ish. The small ones are really fine, and the large thread sizes really do need some concentration. Once your into it 16 TPI is a really good size because you can get Whit. taps and dies to fit so it helps when making small items.

 

[Paul.J]

Tam.
I haven't a clue how these work.So any chance of bringing them to the bash and showing me,or anyone else that don't see how they work :?:

 

[TEP]

Mornin' Paul.

"Bash!" Nearly there eh!. Will try to remember and bring a couple of sets with me. Although don't get at me if I forget. My age and all that. :lol:

 

[Paul.J]

TEP wrote

"Bash!" Nearly there eh!. Will try to remember and bring a couple of sets with me. Although don't get at me if I forget. My age and all that.

Yes Tam it is creeping up rather quick :shock:
I will post a reminder for you nearer the time :lol:
Should be interesting to see.