Shopsmith Forums

Is there any way to make wood threads. I'd like to use a 1/4 inch dowel and make threads on one end

Woodcraft and others sell kits consisting of taps and dies specifically designed for threading wood.

Or you could hand carve 'em.

Here is one way to do it:

http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/manu ... 26tpi.aspx

siul8r wrote:Is there any way to make wood threads. I'd like to use a 1/4 inch dowel and make threads on one end

MEASURE your 1/4" dowels to see IF they are 1/4".

And for 1/4" stock regular taps and dies with the coarse threads should do the job just fine. 1/4" x 20, 5/16" x 18, 3/8" x 16, etc.

I just tapped these in a piece of pine. 3/8 x 16
[ATTACH]25677[/ATTACH]

I just watched a DVD with George Vondriska of Woodworkers Journal use a small v bit in a router mounted to a block of wood and a piece of PVC/plastic threaded pipe that fits your dowel/spindle. Push and twist the spindle into the threaded PVC as the v bit cuts the groove and the thread in the piece of pipe will keep the thread on track.

The only way I know to do internal threads is with a similar tool shown above from Highland Woodworking.

Not for 1/4", but for larger sizes, Beall makes a pricey, but nice set.

Mike

Here is another method.
It's a whole project in it's self.
Not for small stuff though.

Lots of good ideas here, thanks are in order. I'm going to check out the 1/2 inch tap and die this weekend.

The threads are needed for the pendulum adjustment for an all wood clock. The pendulum is a 1/4 inch dowel, maybe I'll just add a 1/2 inch dowel to the bottom with a 1/2 inch wood nut.

siul8r wrote:Lots of good ideas here, thanks are in order. I'm going to check out the 1/2 inch tap and die this weekend.

The threads are needed for the pendulum adjustment for an all wood clock. The pendulum is a 1/4 inch dowel, maybe I'll just add a 1/2 inch dowel to the bottom with a 1/2 inch wood nut.

Assuming the wood will cooperate, I think a finer thread(like 1/4-20) would be more acceptable since it would allow 'finer' adjustment. Metal taps and dies work well as long as the wood does not 'crumble'. Adding ca glue prior to tapping(well 'set') helps prevent that. Most hardwoods tap well.