The handiest threading accessory you can make is a handcrank!
Particularly on short, shouldered pieces turning the lathe by hand
gives more torque & much better control.
The threading dial is only useful on imperial threads which are
multiples of x/2 (assuming an imperial lead screw.) For metric
approximations you pretty much have to keep the half-nuts engaged
during the entire process. After you do that a couple of times, you'll
find it's quicker & easier to do all your threading that way. On big
lathes/long threads, it's not true; on these machines, it mostly is.
Roy
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
--- In 7x12minilathe@..., "Ed" <edo@...> wrote:
Thanks for the advice. I think I'm getting it figured out. It helps
now that I changed gears to give me a recognizable thread - don't know
what TPI the stock gears give you, but it isn't pretty. Getting the
screw engaged at the same spot is a little tricky, but I'm sure it'll
come with practice - especially at higher speeds.
I'm not trying to thread anything useful yet, just practicing and
having fun!
