Thread: Knurled Screws for Graduated Dials

Very neat.
Simple but effective modification that I might just follow.

How did you screw cut without a run out groove at the end of the thread?

Thank you for sharing.
cheers
David

Originally Posted by HavinaGo

Very neat.
Simple but effective modification that I might just follow.

How did you screw cut without a run out groove at the end of the thread?

Thank you for sharing.
cheers
David

David
Its very easy. Probably takes a bit of practice.
I have the lathe in backgear so the workpiece is revolving slowly, & the traverse rate of the toolbit is slow.
With the left hand operating the cross slide handle & the right hand on the leadscrew engaging lever on the lathe apron, its simple a swift movement of both at the same time, wind out toolbit & disengage leadscrew.
When cutting these small dia screws I use a head magnifier, to keep a close watch of the tool position as the cut approaches the end.
It does require a bit of concentration & having "your tongue in the right place" but practice is the key point.
Its got that way for me, that in most cases I would rather screwcut the job in the lathe than use a button die. The screwcut job gives better results, with better fitting threads.
Hope this is of assistance.
regards
Bruce

Originally Posted by Abratool

David
Its very easy. Probably takes a bit of practice.
I have the lathe in backgear so the workpiece is revolving slowly, & the traverse rate of the toolbit is slow.
With the left hand operating the cross slide handle & the right hand on the leadscrew engaging lever on the lathe apron, its simple a swift movement of both at the same time, wind out toolbit & disengage leadscrew.
When cutting these small dia screws I use a head magnifier, to keep a close watch of the tool position as the cut approaches the end.
It does require a bit of concentration & having "your tongue in the right place" but practice is the key point.
Its got that way for me, that in most cases I would rather screwcut the job in the lathe than use a button die. The screwcut job gives better results, with better fitting threads.
Hope this is of assistance.
regards
Bruce

Thanks Bruce,

I sense a really large heap of practice has got you there. Something for me to aspire to!
At this stage I can count the number of such threads I have cut so I am still in the early phase of this game. Even so there is immense satisfaction
(My better half has had to humour me by admiring a 3 point linkage pin with a 7/8 UNF thread cut on it and a nut bought a week later, actually going together with the right clearance.)

David
It is very satisfying screwcutting threads in the lathe.
Practice is good & helps a lot.
Just mount up some free cutting mild steel & start cutting
regards
Bruce

An excellent mod Bruce. Now make a few dozen more! I'll take 2.

Originally Posted by jack620

An excellent mod Bruce. Now make a few dozen more! I'll take 2.

Jack620
No problems, just send me a PM with your address & I will mail you 2 no charge, Gratis
I forgot to mention to 'Havinago" that I did stuff up a couple today, things do go wrong, but with practice it gets better.
I will make some more in the morning.
All the best.
regards
Bruce

Hi Bruce,
Very kind offer but I'll happily pay you for them. I'm sure plenty of other Hercus owners would too. I'll PM you to discuss.
Chris

oops wrong place

Originally Posted by Abratool

David
Its very easy. Probably takes a bit of practice.
I have the lathe in backgear so the workpiece is revolving slowly, & the traverse rate of the toolbit is slow.
With the left hand operating the cross slide handle & the right hand on the leadscrew engaging lever on the lathe apron, its simple a swift movement of both at the same time, wind out toolbit & disengage leadscrew.
When cutting these small dia screws I use a head magnifier, to keep a close watch of the tool position as the cut approaches the end.
It does require a bit of concentration & having "your tongue in the right place" but practice is the key point.
Its got that way for me, that in most cases I would rather screwcut the job in the lathe than use a button die. The screwcut job gives better results, with better fitting threads.
Hope this is of assistance.
regards
Bruce

Red Adair!

Originally Posted by Anorak Bob

Red Adair!

Bob
I cant believe how 2 words can give me such a good laugh.
Well done.
Bruce

20 years. That's impressive Bruce. If you want I can post you over a length of brass rod so when you get around to knurling up your mill dials, you can incorporate a little brass insert in the screw end.

What diameter are the bores and what is the thickness of the wheels in your knurler? If you let me know I may have something that will fit.

Originally Posted by Abratool

Bob
I cant believe how 2 words can give me such a good laugh.
Well done.
Bruce

Here's me thinking you would be having a rest by now.

Originally Posted by Anorak Bob

Here's me thinking you would be having a rest by now.

Bob
Thanks for the reminder about the brass inserts.
I noticed the compound slide of the lathe had one in it. I will check the cross slide & if need be make some up for the lathe & the mill.
I have some varying dia brass & easy to part some off.
In the morning will check & advise on the H & F scissor knurl dimensions.
Too cold at the moment, got the log fire burning.
Got a good load of wood in yesterday, ready for more hand splitting, for winter.
regards
Bruce

Originally Posted by Abratool

David
Its very easy. Probably takes a bit of practice.
I have the lathe in backgear so the workpiece is revolving slowly, & the traverse rate of the toolbit is slow.
With the left hand operating the cross slide handle & the right hand on the leadscrew engaging lever on the lathe apron, its simple a swift movement of both at the same time, wind out toolbit & disengage leadscrew.
When cutting these small dia screws I use a head magnifier, to keep a close watch of the tool position as the cut approaches the end.
It does require a bit of concentration & having "your tongue in the right place" but practice is the key point.
Its got that way for me, that in most cases I would rather screwcut the job in the lathe than use a button die. The screwcut job gives better results, with better fitting threads.
Hope this is of assistance.
regards
Bruce

Hi Bruce,
so, not only are we as one in imperial, but screwcutting as well
My apprentice master hated runout grooves unless the situation required so insisted on tool withdrawal as the preferred method. It does take some practise but once mastered looks great. Like you I prefer to screwcut rather than use a button die and it is only recently I have started using the angular approach. Normally I would plunge cut until about half the thread depth then use slight top slide movements coupled with gradual depth cuts on the compound until I reached full depth. After a while you get to know when you are close to the finished thread. I love the idea of being able to put any thread I like on any diameter I like.

Phil