Chasing and Repairing Damaged Threads

In this video, I offer a few tips on damaged thread repair techniques and give an "in depth" lesson on lathe setup for chasing threads. Its long, but very detailed. Get comfortable and Take a Look !!

[@JlerchTampa]

First time I ran a lathe (and got paid for it) was when the normal guy was out sick, Shop owner says "Lerch, can you run a lathe?" I say yes, he says "here, go chase these threads out." and hands me a big expensive looking stud off something. Thankfully the lathe is in a corner and I have a little privacy while I try to figure out how to do what I said I could do but had never done. 15 minutes later and I was spinning the chuck by hand with the half-nuts engaged making sure the tool was following the threads properly and just kissing both sides of the thread. Satisfied I went for it and it turned out great. Next day the normal guy gets an ass chewing because he claimed the lathe was too clapped out to chase threads. I got 'lucky' because my first timid hand powered cut took out all the backlash (and there was a lot) and I literally didn't know to be worried about it! JLerch - Tampa, FL.

[@martinwhittaker9860]

Joe it’s MARTIN from ENGLAND JOE I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT YOUR COMENT IS ON THIS Joe I have and do mount the work piece in a collet and center drill the end or nose of the threaded end. Then remount the work piece in a four jaw chuck. I keep a length of ground 1/8” dia silver steel with a pointed end witch I mount in my drill chuck in the tail stock ,this is then slid up to the work piece and inserted in the center drilled hole I can then put the Stylus of my clock on the silver steel near the pointed end that is in that is in the center drill hole. It has worked for me on a variety of different jobs. Once the job is running true I can use a live centre to support the work piece. Joe I have found you’re videos very enjoyable, as for your presentation you get a 10/10 . Please keep going, Martin

[@WacoA.I.]

"If I touch anything metric, I break out in a rash." I LOL'd

[@bruceandersen3803]

not the wright place to brag about your stupidity.

[@tonycstech]

I cried. Metric makes more sense then imperial measurements with feet. Who's feet are we taking into an account ? People on the dark side of the planet earth were little smarter to come up with a non human part measurement system.

[@punkeewalla6195]

Dude, I'm impressed. I've been been on single and multi spindles since 1979. I only started programming and setting Miyano cnc lathes 4 years ago. I thought I was pretty good at this, but you showed me what I liked most about this trade. You learn something new every day.

[@jerryfranklin9649]

Very nice job, if you only knew how much you help us beginners, thank you for your excellent instructions.

[@joepie221]

Glad to help

[@mxcollin95]

The idea of lighting the threads from below makes a huge difference in my dimly lit garage workshop...great tip!

[@ingvarlnilsson]

Hello Joe, I really like your explanation when you describe a thread as a train with several carriages ! Cheers from Ingvar, retired service engineer in Sweden (and a hobby shop in my garage among some vintage motorcycles)

[@joepie221]

Thats important to visualize.

[@bruceanderson9461]

Your back lighting trick is great. I believe it is the same principle as an optical comparator. Using your threading technique of upside down insert on the back side of the thread would get rid of the pucker factor (crashing into the chuck or unthreaded portion of whatever you are chasing) if doing a conventional right hand thread. Your viewers should see your threading video if they haven’t yet. I always appreciate your videos. Southwest Minnesota USA

[@rbfreund]

Hi, Joe, me again (Prof at UT). Every time I run into an interesting challenge, I seem to find your videos to help me out. I was needing to VERY ACCURATELY set back a precision-rifle barrel for rechambering which, of course, requires chasing the original threads so that the new threads match up. This video makes that a cinch! I don't know why I didn't think of making the compound slide parallel with the ways, stopping the machine part-way into the thread, and then adjusting with the compound (while the cross-slide was locked in with the half-nut). Brilliant idea. Thanks again.

[@rbfreund]

Sorry, meant carriage locked in with the half-nut.

[@joepie221]

For the most accurate positioning, be sure to have some drag on the handwheel when you shut the machine down. i always maintain some drag on the handwheel during threading to eliminate any wander of the pitch.

[@rbfreund]

@@joepie221 Will do. I already 'learned' to hold the cross-slide handle when threading for the same reason. My compound is okay, since I can adjust the tension fairly easily, but the cross-slide can be a problem sometimes. On a side note, do you drink wine? My family and I own a vineyard and winery (in Oregon) and since I am local to you, I would love to bring a few bottles by to show my appreciation for all you do on KZbin. Just let me know...

[@kostasstamatakos1230]

Great video sir! Thank you. Actually sharing hard earned knowledge is not as common as one would expect but you do exactly that! (Athens, Greece).

[@larrycollins3103]

Your instruction is utterly beyond compare. Thanks for taking the time away from your business to make the videos. Greetings from Gaithersburg, MD.

[@genehudson665]

Being an old toolmaker I've picked up threads many of times, You did a great job.

[@DEtchells]

*Great* video again, I came here from your comment on Adam’s video; this was very helpful. One of the first jobs I need to do on my lathe is to clean up come damaged threads on a clamp screw for a friend. (Loose tolerances, so good for a beginner like me.) First I need to actually cut some threads in the first place to learn the absolute basics, but this tutorial has me confident of success already :-) (The part about the slop in the gear train was a real lightbulb realization; I’m sure I would have blown the threads if I hadn’t seen this first!)

[@joepie221]

Glad you found this helpful.

[@thomaswielde110]

40 years of knowledge and you have it here........for all to absorb. Your channel and TOT’s videos are great. Thanks for your efforts.....THW. Colorado

[@heraldpotgieter2443]

Joe, I had to laugh when you made the comment about breaking out in a rash when you touch anything metric. This is how I feel about imperial stuff.

[@austin5035]

Your videos are awesome. I haven’t ran a manual in some years as I moved into CNC but recently got a job running manuals. Watching your videos has snapped me right back into what I had forgotten and more. Thank you, from WA state.

[@joepie221]

Glad to help

[@keithhansen3963]

A++++ as usual. Advanced professor of the internet. Interestingly enough, I have done this a number of times over the years but I still learn when watching your tutorials.

[@mrcustomblue]

Thanks Joe, I am not a machinist , but a mechanic and fabricator. I love you approch to solving problems Ontario Canada

[@thatoldbob7956]

Good show. I’ve done that many times on a10” Atlas but first I had to take the backlash out from the direction as the apron will go. You’re a true top machinist.

[@lynnelanguedoc4049]

Lové you joe it's so nice of you to share your knowledge I'm learning a whole lot from you.Tony from Canada 🇨🇦.

[@jeffanderson1653]

Pretty amazing. I searched this out as I need to extend a full depth thread. I have your lathe in the 15” version. Not bad for a 50 year old lathe. Thanks!

[@maciekm7953]

Thank You Joe. Your content is a pure gold👍 greetings from Poland

[@TheTsunamijuan]

I may not be a machinist. But man i learn a lot from almost every single one of your videos. Thanks for taking the time to film and share your knowledge with us!

[@joepie221]

Thanks for watching.

[@pditty5402]

I picked up 2 tips, light under the part and using bluing compound. Sounds like common sense after watching this. I know exactly how it is when you have to pick back up a thread, that first pass can sure make you pucker up! Thanks for the tips Joe, keep them coming! From Kansas USA

[@captcarlos]

Thanks for all your efforts Joe, You help educate a lot of people. Australia, Oz

[@johnswilley6764]

From Orlando, Fl, U.S.A Joe; we may be the favorite tourist destination, BUT you're the one we're watching! Excellent! Loved the analogy at the beginning; I've chased successfully before, but your in-depth rationale is flawless Sir. You are the Master. Best wishes!

[@joepie221]

Thanks.

[@billwilson7782]

Thanks, Joe. I learn so much from you every time.

[@Just1GuyMetalworks]

Nice job😃! Had to figure this out the hard way a little while ago. Chipped a tool on an internal square thread with a stop at the end. For a newbie like me it was super frickin scary😬. Thanks to pros like you I was aware of the backlash issue and realigning the tool after sharpening works out great! So thanks for taking the time to help out newbies like me! 😊

[@mxcollin95]

Once again you mention a bunch of things I never would’ve thought of in a million years. Really interesting as always. 👍

[@paultrgnp]

Yeah same here. I get so much more than anyone else out of Joe's videos (cos I know so little about machining) that sometimes I feel guilty. 🤔😂

[@robertoswalt319]

I have watched this video a couple of times and I seem to pick up on new things every time. Some times I learn techniques other times it is a nuance on a technique. Thanks Joe from the bottom of the Texas panhandle.

[@StripeyType]

This helped today - i got one of those aftermarket bridgeport power-feed units, but the dial holder threads were simply not deep enough to accommodate the dial lock nut. So I turned a mandrel between centers, mounted the aftermarket unit, and just went through this, a couple of thou at a time, checking the fit until it went on smoothly. Thanks!

[@Southpaw_Precision]

Joe, thank you for these videos. This one really helped correct a 16 tpi thread recently. Turned out perfect!

[@fixitmakeit]

great balance of board theory backed up with excellent practical demonstration , you have a rare talent Joe . many thanks from Perth Western Australia .

[@jamesstewart4677]

Only the best wishes from Lubbock, Tx, Joe. Everything you teach is world class.

[@joepie221]

Thank you.

[@philliphopkins6527]

It is the same old story, measure twice, cut once! And haste makes waste . Im a 70 year old tradesman and am still learning. BTW i am from Newcastle NSW Australia. Cheers, Phil Hopkins

[@5tr41ghtGuy]

Thanks so much for explaining and recording a practical example of this tedious process!

[@paulkerst7446]

Joe- Once again , a super job . explanation , show of patience , super results. Thanks so very much !!! Blessings Paul Kerst USA PENNA.

[@davidc3808]

Well done again. All your videos are insightful and enjoyable to watch. Dave - UK

[@SVMistry]

Aftre 20:48 you shut the machine power. I generally like to rotate chuck with hand till the momentum of chuck gives up and matches it with all the slop in gear mechanism. And i like to use a thin sheet steel on the thread to indicate the thread gernal's concentricity. Bye the awesome demonstration keep it up. 👍👍👍

[@blakewerner4368]

thank you sir, i have always struggled with this operation. the train of thought you have presented makes it very understandable. North east USA

[@jamesdavis8021]

Another great video.Your lessons are invaluable to me. I look forward to every one.U.S.A.

[@guitar3d1]

Hi Joe, Best regard from Canada. I always had a big interest in metalworks and as i will be retiring very soon, my goal is to setup a small metal shop as a hobby. Your videos has been a big part of this, because of the quality information you give.us. Thanks a million time.

[@ArmchairDeity]

Hey Joe! ❤️🇺🇸💙 I know this is an older vid, but I just realized I hadn’t seen it yet, so just watched it. And this was FANTASTIC! I love how you showed that you’re watching your timing and alignment all the way in to the half-thousandth and working to just barely graze away the whole surface. Of all your how-tos and “fixing bad behavior” videos… this one was IMO the most fascinating and opened the biggest window on what I call “the mind of a machinist”. Thanks bro!

[@joepie221]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@stever4504]

Perfect Joe... just the way I was taught. Cheers from Perth Australia.

[@jimmilne19]

Greenland here. Love (and learning from) the videos, each one really great! Thanks for sharing.

[@edh.9153]

Perfect! You are an excellent instructor! Thank you for taking the time to produce these videos. Ed Hicks SW Mo.

[@MM7782]

Very well explained. Thanks for these videos. MM from Romania

[@tomeyssen9674]

Great video! I had to watch again. Turning the compound around IS A BIG DEAL.....GREAT. Thanks....-Tom (Knoxville)

[@mikemoore9757]

Threading is like two porcupines making love - slow and easy! I like the Joe Pie"s school of higher learning! As a suggestion, could you do a video on cutting a double,or a triple lead thread? I had to do a double lead once and it was kind of cool, and a challenge. I am 73 years young, and still learning. I really enjoy your videos, sir, and look forward to many more. You are never too old to learn something from someone that might be a little bit smarter than you!

[@christopherlease]

Great Video I learnt so much and can't wait to practice thread chasing! Chris UK

[@bencesarosi7718]

Hey there, Joe! I'm enjoying your uploads from Hungary. Thanks for another great explanation!

[@35southkiwi16]

Thanks Joe. Learned a lot here that has real practical applications for me. Cheers from New Zealand

[@prodoverjeff2876]

Worked on enough old machines where thread files became my buddies. American guy from Rhode Island. Respects to Tex!

[@joecolanjr.8149]

I have been patiently waiting for a new video....you never disappoint! Still learning everyday...thanks Joe!! New jersey,USA!!!

[@chrislee5981]

Brilliant as usual. So right about the machine moving on switch off.disengagement. Cheers from Newbury, England

[@ianpendlebury3704]

Great video and a couple of things that I would have never have thought about. Thanks ( from Malaysia ).

[@heinvosloo45]

Ji Joe, Thanks for all the knowledge you share! Greetings from Johannesburg South Africa

[@gregbrodie-tyrrell3473]

You are a true professional, Joe, and I love your videos. Greg from Oakbank, in South Australia.

[@nicholasdautel1228]

I use snap-on tool thread files and they are my best friend. I started laughing when you showed it because I was thinking about thread files in the beginning of your video. Thank you.

[@chrisstephens6673]

A useful demonstration, reminds me of a job I had where the owner used the wrong loctite grade to hold bearings in a Manx Norton crankcase. It set before the cases where fully together and he beat the crap out of the end of the shaft to release it, he was virtually in tears when I gave it back to him fixed. Just a point about losing registration, most lathes you can put the speed control into a neutral so you can turn the Chuck but because the lead screw is still directly geared to the spindle all will be well . I put up a video for you showing my threading tool flat measuring micrometer. In UK

[@briangpz]

The first time I did this I was a freshman in trade school. 14 years old in 1980, and I had only single pointed a thread twice before. Our school used to take in jobs from local residents or businesses, and this shaft came in with a 9/16"-12 left hand thread that was mangled. It was a really long thread, about 18 inches. My instructor gave me some verbal instructions, and told me not to cut any metal until he approved my setup. I ended up using a follow rest to keep it running true. The first and last time I used a follow rest. Back in those days we had to grind our own tool bits from HSS blanks, which added to the complexity. He checked out my setup and gave me the OK. The part came out great, and I even got a compliment from my instructor. He was a great teacher, and a fair man, but he didn't give out compliments very often. Especially to underclassmen. I did a lot of jobs after that in trade school, and in the 40 years since, but for some reason I always remembered that one.

[@cl4367]

Thank you Joe. This is something that I’ve tried many times with poor results. Makes so much more sense now.

[@SlowEarl1]

Great tips! Thanks for taking the time to share!

[@carlpenney901]

Another great video! I think your video are great you have a class and then you give a demonstration THAT is what makes your video's so far a head from the others. Calgary Ab Canada.

[@tedfarwell9812]

How could you not find value in a lesson like that? Thanks again, Joe.

[@paulfisher1160]

Hi Joe, Thank you for teaching me something new. Keep it up Paul South Africa

[@charlescartwright6367]

Aloha Joe, I have never moved the compound to be parallel to the work piece before, but it looks to be a great idea, next time I will. A new learning curve for an old dog, but it should speed thing up!!!! Again thanks for your time in sharing with us.

[@steveg069]

I've come to expect a great video from you time after time. Once again, you did not disappoint! Thank you for sharing.

[@joepie221]

Thank you very much for the compliment. I like to believe my viewers take something from every video.

[@stefancronje9870]

Great tips to keep in mind! Keep the awesome videos coming and huge thank you for the time taken to create them :) Regards, Stellenbosch,South Africa

[@joepie221]

Thanks. I had over 2 hours of raw footage for this one. It was tough to cut down.

[@davecrawford5390]

Dave Crawford South Africa. Awsome tutorial and definately something to put on my to do list. Keep up the great work and teachings you have saved me more than one grey hair. Cheers

[@loydsa]

Joe, this was an excellent video. It's great to see something so well and patiently explained. This was new to me and something I will replicate and practice. Best Regards Sarah (UK)

[@kelleysimonds5945]

Very informative, as always. BTW I own a full set of those thread files and they’ve saved the day more than once. Wisconsin, USA

[@donmathias1705]

I for years had trouble with long threads and long nuts. I took pride in being able to make good threads quickly. I was trained old school, making thousands of large shackle pins and big double start square threads for cone clutch actuators on winches. So on my new lathe a tight precise thread would be a nice fit for a few threads and then jam. I had to increase my clearance to get a long nut to spin on. I had checked the pitch using my dro and a stop against a jaw and it measured 6mm on the money in different parts of the leadscrew so the leadscrew being out of tolerance was eliminated. I had cause to service my drop down gears one day and check them. I had a good look at the intermediate gear set, a large gear and a small gear sharing the same axis caught my attention. On close inspection the face of the big gear was out of square to the axis by somewhere around .050". It was wobbling. It was an eureka moment. I dismantles it, machined up the problem face on the drive boss , put it back together. I had cause to make another long thread and nut a short time later and problem was solved. The wobble was effectively advancing and then retarding the lead-screw and as a consequence a nice tight thread was impossible. It was the only thing that bugged me about my lathe. All happy now!

[@krazziee2000]

Very cool and educational, thanks for the lesson. - Richard, Spartanburg S.C.

[@alexbarnett8541]

Another informative video. I've been wondering how to do this for a while now. Can't wait to try it out for myself. Probably have to watch this again. Alex USA. Thanks!

[@ChrisB257]

Great stuff Joe. This something that can always be a big challenge. One thing I find very useful on my old 11" lathe is use of a spindle handle - that way revolutions can be super slow and allow me to find backlash points etc.

[@feed78]

Once more, usefull video. Many Thanks from France Joe.

[@jmaks]

Indicating concentricity, just keep the half nut engaged and turn the chuck by hand, this will move the indicator in sync with thread.

[@peterridgway7355]

Joe, great video. I have personally used thread form chasers in the tool post, with the same technique as you have used to dial in the tool position. Please keep making videos, they are just like catching up with some of the older hands. All that’s missing is a strong cup of tea. Thanks again Peter, Bristol UK

[@jeffryblackmon4846]

Respecting your work always. Ohio, USA.

[@johnw.peterson4311]

What a great teacher. Thank you big Joe!

[@joepie221]

Thanks for watching.

[@toolbox-gua]

I don’t miss any minute of your channel.

[@joepie221]

Thanks. I notice your comments.

[@TheTobster54]

Another great tutorial. Thanks from Thailand

[@steenkampsteenkamp6686]

Hi from Swaziland Been learning a lot from your channel! Thanks

[@tobydulanski3000]

Thanks again Joe, always listening over here.

[@marcmckenzie5110]

Joe, this was an outstanding tutorial - thank you.

[@joepie221]

Thanks for checking it out.

[@outsidescrewball]

AWESOME.. discussion/demonstration....can’t read that in a book!!!.....like the tip running the compound “in line”, sure wish I knew that in the past....ATB

[@messageobliquespe100]

Ahhh… fond memories of that blue dye some 40 years ago at school - scribing rude things on flat plate 😂 enjoyed the expertise demonstrated - 👍

[@half-assedgarage6668]

Love when joe pie shows up. I needed to repair a large thread and had no clue where to start and no one to ask how. Stood at the lathe and stared at the part for what seemed like an hour to figure this out on my own. It was one of my prouder moments. 🤔😬

[@ttabbal]

Great details on this one. I haven't had to chase one yet, but I feel like I could probably manage it now. I'll have to chuck up some aluminum and give it a try.

[@StepRobinson]

Another AWESOME video!! Springfield, MO. USA

[@Rprecision]

Very applicable to gunsmith operations! I usually am doing this on the inside of female threads.Thanks,

[@pentachronic]

Great video work Joe. I love watching your 'how to' videos as I lways learn something! :-)

[@joepie221]

thanks.

[@d.r.8868]

Great clip. I'm a traveling industrial boiler tech. I always carry 3 small hand files for repairing threads. Thought I was the only one...

[@AlbatroZzDIY]

always learning new great things from you! and waiting for your new video impatiently!! and many thanks for the knowledge sharing. Greetings from Indonesia

[@eastcoastandy2905]

Threads need fixing all over ther world... Thanks for showing how, Joe! Scotland checking in

[@bostedtap8399]

Great job Joe. Best regards from the UK. Thanks for sharing.

[@steveallarton98]

Bosted Tap Yo’ bin from the Black Country ay ya, ma mon ?

[@bostedtap8399]

@@steveallarton98 ar me Mon.

[@tomherd4179]

As usual !..... Lots of great tips!! Thanks again.

[@rtkville]

Another really good one Joe thank you! Oregon, USA

[@andyZ3500s]

127 country's that is pretty amazing Joe. That is quite a compliment to you