Metal Threads

[pmcgee]

I had these metal rods to clean up ...




One end was unscrewed and usable on each rod ... the other end on each was as good as welded.
They're going to be through this bench soon, but I wanted to clean them up as much as possible.

I started by wire-wheeling the rods, and the free 'washers' and nuts, then trying to match the thread profile to something I had in the garage.
My thread dies were small and metric, but this $10 pack from repco ages ages showed me the profile was 1/2"-13nc ... sure, why not?

So I could retap the nuts ... no real problem there. Then I remembered I had these old threading die tools ... and the largest one turned out to be perfect for the job! I got one of these as part of a lot quite a way back, and only got the others because the first had piqued my interest.

It has the advantage that the end of the thread can be cactus and you can still attach to the thread; the pressure/depth can be progressively increased; and there is plenty of space for rubbish to escape. I had never expected to actually use it I mainly liked the shape of the ones with the one arm that screws to adjust. I count that as a win!

I also tried the gas-torch on the other stuck nuts ... and the first two came free with little trouble.
After messing with the third one, I was feeling glad I had picked that one up last. After heating it the same or longer than the others ... no dice. So I tried quenching it. Nothing. One more go ... same heat and more ... Zip. No movement. Oh well. Two outta three etc etc. I quenched it again and gave it that one last try ... and it also came free. Haha!! Triumph for ignorance and obstinance! Again.

20131222_145925 (Medium).jpg 20131222_150003 (Medium).jpg 20131222_150018 (Medium).jpg 20131222_150036 (Medium).jpg

20131222_154943 (Medium).jpg 20131222_155022 (Medium).jpg 20131222_155033 (Medium).jpg

[pmcgee]

Afterwards I thought to go back to get some photos of the makers' marks ...

20131223_005832 (Medium).jpg 20131223_005905 (Medium).jpg 20131223_005951 (Medium).jpg

20131223_010101 (Medium).jpg 20131223_010143 (Medium).jpg 20131223_010209 (Medium).jpg

20131223_010255 (Medium).jpg 20131223_010327 (Medium).jpg

20131223_010348 (Medium).jpg 20131223_010411 (Medium).jpg

[pmcgee]

And a semi-pointless video