Ashley Iles Universal Thread Chaser - Episode 257

This is something that I have wanted to do since I started Wood Turning and watching Sam Angelo all those years ago. With being restricted to a minimum of 500 rpm on my old lathe it was never going to happen. With the new lathe I can turn the speed down a lot further and finally I've been able to do some thread chasing.
There are several options for Thread Chasing tools, however I found this one from Ashley Iles that is a very cheap option and the tool is universal in that it will cut internal and external threads. This means that you do not need to buy two chasing tools to cut a thread.
I would recommend that you also buy the arm rest tool if nothing else.
Ashley Iles: www.ashleyiles...
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[@crackerjack3359]

I have watched Alan Batty's video and now yours, but still don't understand why you need the support tool. On small threads like this surely you could just run the cutter in off the tool rest set at 90 deg across the opening.

[@PaulLockwood]

The only thing that I can think of is that when you hold this by two hands (1 the cutter 1 the support) that you have natural movement where the tool picks up on the threads already partially cut. If you try and feed the cutter in on a solid tool rest you risk starting the cut in a new position. I'm sure you could do it from the tool rest but this way works very well.

[@jozefbubez6116]

Very insightful. I bought a 40 tpi chaser (external) some 50 years ago but never used. I have a vague recollection that in the old days fine threads were put onto telescopes and other optical instruments in this way. Keep up the good work!

[@roystheboy]

ive bought the ashley iles chaser at the newark show but never knew id need that long holder so might buy one or make one ive made a handle for mine thats 8" long is that to long

[@PaulLockwood]

I think you just need some form of a hook type so that you can hold a gentle pressure on the tool as it cuts. As to the long handle, it shouldn't be too much of an issue but when working on small threads you may just need something more delicate. I'm sure you would soon get used to it.

[@roystheboy]

Thanks I've made one now and did a video of making it

[@ukcarver]

Sorry I should have said you did a great demo. If I knew where you lived I would give you a piece of box wood.

[@PaulLockwood]

No problem, I'm up in Cumbria. Not done any thread chasing lately still needs lots of practice to perfect it. I did actually also try on a beech segmented ring and that worked quite well on an internal and external thread.

[@chrisrowley4732]

@@PaulLockwood also in Cumbria, near Carlisle

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Richard Raffan showed making an armrest from a carriage bolt. I made on it works great. Cheaper than buying for folks that enjoy making tools. I know of no vendor that sells the unichaser in the USA.

[@PaulLockwood]

Hi Mike, the arm rest was quite cheap so I didn't see the need to make one, but certainly a great idea for those that like to make as many of their tools as possible. I just looked at Ashley Iles website and they have one USA agent at toolsforworkingwood.com From what I can see they don't list them there, but as they are an agent I'm sure for an upfront payment or deposit they would get what you need in on their next order from Ashley Iles.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

@@PaulLockwood Thanks!

[@gordongroves6674]

Great video thanks for sharing. I've just bought a pair of 16tpi chasers so Im keen to try them out. I also have quite a lot of old mahogany shelving which hopefully will take a thread. I will try making some segmented rings for threading and embedding into projects if they turn out OK.

[@PaulLockwood]

You’re welcome. For free wood that I have about the mahogany seems to work ok. I did a beech segmented ring and that wasn’t too bad either. You may find that you have to soak the thread in a thin CA as you go along and do a few final passes to recut the thread from the CA.

[@johnsmethurst4186]

Hi Paul Thanks for replying The harder the wood the better for instance boxwood Not much good on softwoods American black walnut works well Once again all the best & stay safe John s Manchester

[@PaulLockwood]

I did try some Sapele but found even though it is really hard it's more powdery so crumbles. It's all about experimenting to find what works. I've done a thread on a Beech segmented ring that worked well, not sure if Beech as a spindle would work so well.

[@julianclarke7178]

Really interesting, thanks Paul. On a different note, I want to set up an air gun like you have . Can you tell me what your set up is and is the compressor always humming away? Stay safe , and thanks for sharing. Regards Jules, Droitwich

[@PaulLockwood]

Thank you Jules. I did a review on my compressor a long time ago, look back at the tool review playlist. Get a moisture filter that is important especially as and when you start using tools like nail guns etc. I bought a 5M hose from Screwfix with the quick release fittings. If I'm blowing out bits like in this video I may have to run the air for 30+ seconds (dependant on pressure) before the compressor kicks in, then it's loud. Still makes me jump now.

[@josephwise485]

Was that your 2nd thread job? I thought that it would take practice, practice, practice. Very nice Paul.

[@PaulLockwood]

Thank you Joseph. This was my second project, but the third thread I had made. Practice certainly helps.

[@owdjockey4459]

Hi Paul, very interesting as I have never seen this tool before. Could you 'feel' the teeth of the chaser following the thread once you had established it? I think you could probably save yourself £28 by making the tool rest as the business end is just a 90 deg angle stop. Like to have a go at this but until I upgrade from my Hobby I think I'll have to wait. Thanks for sharing the video

[@PaulLockwood]

Thank you. Yes for sure you can save money making your own rest. Once you start establishing the thread the tool gets into the grooves and does take most of the movement itself. Just get into the rhythm of moving along to save stripping the threads. This was the first thing I looked at when I decided to change the lathe.

[@chrisrowley4732]

if you leave a little extra on the lid where your thread is going to be and then turn the extra down so it just fits inside the threads you cut in the box, it gives you the low point on your threads, you then just need to cut your thread till you start to cut into your turned down piece, and your thread should match first time. then turn off the extra.

[@PaulLockwood]

It’s ages since I’ve done any of this. Great tools though especially a cheap option for thread chasing.

[@johnsmethurst4186]

Hi Paul Just a little tip Take a wax stick and go over where you want to thread You get a smoother cut with no tearout All the very best John s Manchester

[@PaulLockwood]

That's interesting to hear. So use something like bees wax before cutting the thread and possibly between cuts. The biggest issue is what wood you can use. Was so pleased with this working in Mahogany.

[@markharrisllb]

I was totally mesmerised though neither my skill or my lathe is of high enough standard to do it. A very enjoyable video. I’d love to know why someone gave you a thumbs down for this, never mind there’s 51 of us who enjoyed it.

[@PaulLockwood]

Thank you Mark. I had to wait 4 years before I had a lathe capable of doing this and something I've always wanted to do. As to the thumbs down, got to expect some, can't please everyone especially when my channel is so varied by not doing the same type of thing all the time.

[@BAILEYWOODWORKS]

That is really cool! I need to wait till I have a slower lathe, but thanks for the demo!

[@PaulLockwood]

Thank you. I had to wait 4 years but was the first thing I bought as soon as I had the new lathe.

[@stevescott6634]

Nice demo Paul thanks for sharing 👍

[@PaulLockwood]

Thank you Steve

[@ukcarver]

You are a very brave man using Mahogany rather than something like box wood. Also I have been thread chasing for years and would never use an arm rest tool. And have no problems.

[@PaulLockwood]

Box wood is not a cheap option, so I was trying different woods to see if there was something I could get a thread on. This worked quiet well and even better all the mahogany I have was given to me. I watched a lot of Sam Angelo on his thread chasing and have always wanted to try it, this was a very cheap outlay which finally with the change of lathe I could try.

[@ukcarver]

Have you considered threading acrylic it’s very good, but again not cheap. I have also threaded Hornbeam.

[@dengudomlige8644]

Thanks for a great and very instructional video, I have a speed issue with my trusty Myford Ml8 which is about to be taken care of, a very good friend is installing a frequency drive and then it´s worth a try, Sam Angelo is the villain in my case too... It seems like a perfect tool to get started with and the tool rest must be worth every penny.

[@PaulLockwood]

Thank you Den. The tool is quite easy to use, you have to get in to a rhythm and then it works well. The biggest issue is what wood you can use. Have to say it may not get used a lot but this was worth every penny for me.

[@dengudomlige8644]

@@PaulLockwood That's what I think as well, some occational thread chasing or at least the tools to do it without buying the fanciest stuff on the market.

[@missteeturns]

Excellent video Paul. I'm bidding on some thread chasers atm. It's something I've been looking at for a while. Yes Sam Angelo does some great tutorials on thread chasing also Allan Batty. I like the idea of using CA to harden the wood. Again something I'd thought of and I'm pleased to see it works. Stay safe 🙂

[@PaulLockwood]

Thank you. Hope you won the bid, these are so worth the money and not expensive at all compared to some of the brands.

[@missteeturns]

@@PaulLockwood missed out on the bid but I've ordered a 16tpi one from Ashley Isles. Now waiting for confirmation of delivery 🙂

[@maggieirving]

Many thanks Paul. Very helpful x

[@PaulLockwood]

Your welcome, only my own opinion on how I got on.

[@mikelarlham6764]

The slowest speed of my lathe is 350rpm so I’m not sure it would do this, but very interesting video!!

[@PaulLockwood]

Hi Mike. I think you could get away with 350. I do tend to turn the speed up a little and do get to 350. It's all about getting into a rhythm and making sure you life the tool before it cannot go any further.

[@mikelarlham6764]

@@PaulLockwood That sounds hopeful, I may just get one at some time!!

[@ukcarver]

Yes you can turn threads at 350

[@JohnClothier]

That looks a lot of work but you get some great benefits, well worth learning it!

[@PaulLockwood]

Thank you John. The hardest part is getting both parts the same size, so it cut the thread and try regularly. It is so worthwhile though and something I've wanted to do since I started turning.