Thread Milling (CNC Router Beginner to Pro EP09)

[@AntiVaganza]

Thanks JB:) (Just feeding the algorithm to help more folks see this)

[@JBWorx]

Thank you 🙏

[@BuildItAnyway]

Thank you for this video. When i was doing this ~8 years ago; there was very little info about this. Additionally, I found the aliexpress threadmills @5-6 euro to work well.

[@JBWorx]

I have to order one and see how they will perform. I like Datron stuff but $120 for one bit is a tad much for me. Thx for reaching out.

[@zakariakhamees]

Thank you JB for making all these videos. I watch all of them and mostly multiple times.

[@JBWorx]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@jonastjepkema]

These videos are so amazing. Shame your channel is yet so undersubscibed! Your content is really great, thank you very much

[@JBWorx]

Thank you for your feedback I will keep going

[@Festivejelly]

Just what I was looking for! Its such a cool way to cut threads as single point cutting threads for small parts on my lathe is a pain in the bum. So instead ill make a fixture and cut them on my CNC.

[@JBWorx]

Yes, I find myself using it more and more. I used to try cutting with a tap on my drill press and finishing by hand but it is so time consuming and dear God of you break the tap. So recently I use the CNC more and more. I use templates in fusion that make the CAM section really efficient.

[@boessi]

Klasse Video!!! Habe nochmals nachgeschaut, mein Tabellenbuch Metall ist von 1984 - wie die Zeit vergeht. Glückwunsch zum 3000 Abonnenten. VG Anton

[@JBWorx]

Danke Anton, und das Schlimmste ist sie vergeht immer schneller … die Zeit.

[@BlueOceanDesigns]

Really like this video about thread milling but also the whole series...Great work :)

[@JBWorx]

Thank you so much 😊

[@Silverturky]

I just discovered your channel. It has everything I could possibly need. You have been very helpful to me thus far. I have not cut anything but extruded aluminum as yet very small part but I definitely plan on cutting more in future. I have a 4x8 avid CNC machine

[@JBWorx]

You have a nice capable machine for all sorts of projects. I have more vids planned in 2024

[@brucewilliams6292]

Thank you for putting this together. Very timely for me. P.S. would you please put a link to your website in the description.

[@JBWorx]

Oh wow did I forget that will do that right now thx ☺️

[@mikevdwerf]

Thank you so much, just great !

[@JBWorx]

👍👍

[@Engineer_DUH]

i always like to make sure that "lead to center" is checked as well. for some reason on HSM it is not automatically checked like it is in fusion. if it is not, your threadmill will end up plunging and retracting offset from the center of the hole and cut into your threads, which is only part of the problem. rapids in and out of the material make it highly likely that you break your threadmills. i use 4-40 threadmills at work all the time, and the neck diameter is only 0.050" ~1.25mm, quite easy to break.

[@JBWorx]

Yes, spot on I had this noted on my list to mention and once the vid was done I saw I forgot it. However like you mentioned it is checked by default in Fusion 360. 4-40 is quite small I have a project come up with a M3 … hopefully with no crash. Thx for reaching out.

[@pacmangsxr750]

Thank you

[@JBWorx]

Glad you like it

[@DL180sx]

Cut my first threads using a CNC today based off your guide. Worked the first time. M6x1.0 threads worked first go! Thanks very much! I copied what i could see of your feeds and speed. You didn't cover where you got that data from?

[@JBWorx]

Excellent that you were successful on the first go !!! Love that ! I cut a lot of threads on my machine and the feeds and speeds are from that experience as a starting point. All data I provide is usually conservative and can be increased for most machines. Thank you for this feedback puts a smile in my face.

[@Festivejelly]

I mainly use chat GPT to get the parameters i need. Its generally faster.

[@JBWorx]

The problem with Chat GPT is that the parameters are not optimized for a router using a high speed spindle. Most software generated parameters have different constraints like the max the endmill can take in one bite or the hp of the spindle on larger tools. Nothing of that applies to a CNC Router. Once you understand how to tune the parameters for your machine things become really easy.

[@Festivejelly]

@@JBWorx true but you can feed that info into it. Its all about saving time. If I give chat GPT a table of my params such is RPM, tool geometry, material, chipload etc it can quite easily generate these params you need. Although sometimes it does halucinate, but it is getting better, at least on GPT4. I wonder if we will see these sort of things built into CAD software in the future.

[@JBWorx]

I am sure it will be. Just like we can now download tables of tool manufacturers right into the CAM tool table. The industry has reps that will stop by your business and help you optimize their tool, often if you break it while the rep is there he replaces it for free.

[@dans94z28]

Could you make a video going over the bits you use? And feeds and speeds?

[@JBWorx]

Yes please look at video no 7 and 8 for cutting Al.

[@stephanekolijn4211]

Hi, thanks for your very informative videos. Really like them. I was looking on AliExpress and there they sell these for every M type. M3, M4,M5 as they all have another pitch. So how do you mean to use one tool to make different screw sizes?

[@JBWorx]

Yes, I saw that too it’s wrong. If you use a single tooth (pitch) thread mill it’s good for several different types of threads. The limit is the diameter of the tool and how deep it can cut but it can make any pitch as this is made by the helix that is defined in your CAM. I hope my explanation makes sense.

[@seabreezecoffeeroasters7994]

Curious have you used larger 3+mm Carbide drills rather than interpolating the holes with a mill in Aluminium?

[@JBWorx]

Yes I have up to 6.8 for M8 however it’s not pretty. I think up to 5mm and only 1XD all is doable on deeper holes it becomes more difficult. Peck drilling is you friend and retracting all the way this will give the spindle the opportunity to get the rpm back up so it does not stall. Torque is a challenge at these low rpm’s.

[@tusharjamwal]

Hi JB, I am watching this video because a friend asked me about thread milling, I am going to forward them the video. Could you share what the process of thread milling and a thread mill (the tool) is called in German? Is it Schraubfräsen?

[@JBWorx]

Im allgemeinen sagt man Gewinde fräsen. Das Gewinde wirbeln gibt es auch benutzt Aber üblicherweise einen Aufsatz. Und du brauchst dann einen Gewindefräser.

[@TEACypher]

This is an interesting topic, i have only done a few myself, luckly i have the machinist handbook, but i am ceryain all the daya you need for threads is in the Zeus Precision Data Charts. Also your fog seems to have a leak?

[@JBWorx]

I changed the head out for the one with the bend tube and did not push the fluid line in all the way … saw it later on the video 😀

[@AG-cg7lk]

Can I just confirm your minor thread diameter advice on the hole? For a standard manual tap, typical advice is to drill a hole that is the nominal diamter minus the pitch, so for an M10/1.5 pitch, the hole needs to be 8.5mm before tapping. That is the 'tap drill' size in reference charts, not the minor internal diameter. From charts, the minor internal diameter is about 0.2mm smaller (8.376mm for M10). So, which is it for a single tooth tap ? Drill out as per 'tap drill size', or machine it to minor internal diameter?

[@JBWorx]

Great question. So in my experience the 8.376mm will result in a “No Go” thread as the good side of the tread gauge will not thread in. It’s too tight. It is much closer to the 8.5mm. Best is to make one test cut. I was lucky this fit the bold on the first try I usually need a couple of tests to get it just right. Also changing the thread mill out can result in a different fit (vendor to vendor). Interesting is also that you will notice a change from Fusion 360 to a different CAM program (Master CAM for instance). So lots of variables here it’s not rocket science but if you sell parts best is to invest into a thread gauge.

[@nathanwebb4671]

Do you have the sample g code for your thread mill operation?

[@JBWorx]

I posted this a while ago so I did not keep the G-Code sorry.

[@cncmoldsnstuff4423]

I absolutely believe in clearing chips out of pockets and holes wherever possible when. HOWEVER! When thread milling the easy answer is to thread from the bottom of the hole up. If chips get blown out of the hole great, but if they don't they're below. I do this every day on multiple machines. I climb Mill right hand threads and conventional Mill left hand threads starting at the bottom of the hole. This is how my standard saved operations are stored in my operations library. I use this with single form thread mills or full form. Also, I am pretty sure Fog Buster is a trade name.

[@cncmoldsnstuff4423]

I do have to recognize you appear to have made a very nice implementation of a minimum quantity lubrication air delivery system.

[@JBWorx]

Yes, everyone knows “Fog Buster” it’s like Windex as a cleaner. There are different terms for it MQL would be one of them. Agreed! Bottom up is the right way to go and fusion has this as a standard tool path.

[@cncmoldsnstuff4423]

@@JBWorx and yet you don't see any other window cleaner manufacturers labeling their product as Windex and somebody else's well known and promoted trade name. You don't see Puffs labeling their tissues as Kleenex either. It may not matter of an individual purchasing a product misuses a tradename, but you are manufacturing a product of similar use and operation.

[@JBWorx]

@cncmoldsnstuff4423 mine is called “ Cool mister” it’s on my website

[@sto2779]

Is it possible to make thread mills which has built into the tip of the thread mill which ejects coolant or air? Seems over complicated but I think its worth it.

[@JBWorx]

Yes these are available mostly for bigger threads. There are even thread mills that have exchangeable inserts

[@sto2779]

@@JBWorx interesting, thanks for the reply.

[@JBWorx]

👍

[@quantumfrenzy74]

No, please make more!

[@JBWorx]

Don’t worry there will be more projects !

[@zahirmamdani]

The music is too much. The sweetest sounds for work videos is the natural workshop noise.

[@JBWorx]

Let’s have a bit of both so it does not get too boring for some people - but I hear ya - the machine making chips is music on its own.

[@zahirmamdani]

@@JBWorx when my CNC is running, I actually feel it's relaxing unless I get a call, lol. I don't know why, music distracts my mind so much that I can't understand what's being said. Maybe I have a very simple, single track mind. Lol

[@JBWorx]

I don’t listen to music when I am working. I need to hear what the machine is doing - maybe on the lathe I do it at times for a part that I have an oder of 500 and I am 50 parts into it and all is running well. Or sanding wood panels - but usually like you I don’t have music on either.

[@zahirmamdani]

@@JBWorx thanks for taking time to reply and consider my request. Wish you all the best in your work and in your upcoming videos

[@JBWorx]

@zahirmamdani thank you !