ThreadExpress 2.2 Design revelation begins.

This video ThreadExpress 2.2 - Do you want one?
ThreadExpress 2.1 Introduction: • ThreadExpress 2.1 - A ...
ThreadExpress 2.0 Introduction: • ThreadExpress 2 - Thre...
You are welcome to try to guess the design in the comments below, I will reply " Thanks for your design guess, it is noted, I am sure you understand I cannot reply to this until after the design is revealed" ( I will do my best to work out who had the earliest correct guess).

[@machinist123]

Some people are very blunt headed and give feedback when they don't understand. Most people probably won't comment and remain neutral. You have expanded on mechanical knowledge and people should not discourage you. Thanks for your videos.

[@Threadexpress]

Hi. Sounds like you have been reading the comments! Thanks for your kind support. Yes, I was surprised to read the tone of a couple of the comments. Sadly, I guess we need to grow thick skin if we want to communicate on public social media. Fortunately engineering usually attracts thoughtful, rational, polite folk like yourself, that are a joy to communicate with. Cheers, Cliff 😊

[@NightsReign]

​@@Threadexpress As well as attracting poster-children of the Dunning-Krüger Effect, whose sole purpose in life seems to be to, with all of the undeserved confidence they can muster, regurgitate into your comments some half-remembered, entirely misunderstood technical factoid(s) which, in most cases even if accurate or correct, aren't even relevant to the video, or were actually preemptively addressed in the video... An absolute treat attempting discourse with these people, I'm sure you'd agree! A few tips for sussing out most of these intellectual juggernauts: 1) They will *always* begin by listing their credentials, and those credentials will be extensive and almost certainly fudged, if not a complete lie. 2) They don't always start with "As a for ", but when they do, it's hoping you don't notice that what follows completely discredits the previous lies. Usually, some basic knowledge that would've been covered in-depth in the university's relevant 101 class. 3) According to them, everyone knows this info, this info that is patently false and those who know it, know it BECAUSE it's wrong. 4) Have they recounted an anecdote about how they knew a guy years ago? Oh right, they didn't observe the issue directly, but they'd love if you thought that they did! They just knew a guy years ago who told them they did (maybe). They might even be so bold as to claim it affected them directly. If so, since it didn't and they're making everything up with limited knowledge, the most salacious and hyper detailed, obviously imagined details follow. 5) You're so __ but, you're also so much that thing that you don't even know how much! 6) Because of what you were called in bullet point 5, you're the cause for all manner of heinous things. It's hard to be specific here since it'll be fabricated from whole cloth on the fly, but you know what you've done, and they know what you've done, and they'll tell the world how you attacked them for truth telling, or whatever... This began as a short, cursory-level joke, but then I realized how accurate it actually is, and that I was no longer "funny haha" joking, but "funny strange".

[@simonlookmire8417]

Hey Cliff, I'm picturing a pantograph / 4-bar mechanism? One point is driven by a nut that meshes with a thread on the spindle, and the adjustment slider moves the pivot point. Adjusting the pivot point in or out changes the lever ratio, effectively reducing the pitch, while the pantograph maintains linearity throughout the travel. I've watched several of your videos over the years, and always appreciate your thoughtful explanations. Cheers (also from down under, Palmerston North, NZ), Simon : )

[@Threadexpress]

Very interesting, fellow Kiwi. That is all I can say at this stage. Cheers, Cliff

[@colleenpierce9626]

My husband says that this unique design is like Christmas. This is the ultimate tease. He is looking forward to figuring it out!

[@Threadexpress]

Good to hear it is a joy and not a frustration. Cheers, Cliff

[@KenToonz]

I'm a long time follower and am always fascinated by your ingenuity!

[@Threadexpress]

Hi Ken. Thanks for your feedback and encouragement! Cheers, Cliff

[@EitriBrokkr]

I'd love to see plans, and/or plans and kits available. I'm super excited you are willing to offer your baby onto the world. I know that wasn't an easy decision to make.

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for the feedback. (and your empathy) Cheers, Cliff

[@machinists-shortcuts]

I would like to see a version with long leads, oil groves for example. Most workshops can make threads reasonably easy but setting up for spirals is less common and more difficult. Great product though.

[@Threadexpress]

Ok, Thanks for your input here. Cheers, Cliff

[@EitriBrokkr]

I second that

[@odin823]

i would love the plans. open source anything is always great for everybody. thanks for sharing your project with us.👍👍

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your input. Cheers, Cliff

[@KZ-yy9pm]

Think it’s fantastic, great work sir.

[@Threadexpress]

Cheers, thanks for taking the time to give feedback and encouragement. Cliff

[@Freetheworldnow]

I am subbed to your channel and have thumed up the video. I do not comprehend yet the full potential of this attachment and neither how it works and what it's true capacities are... I will look back and see if you have put up a previous video that I could have missed. I doubt that you will get the proper audience right here on KZbin... But happy to see you here. Your thread pitch mechanism probably incorporate a cam system. Perhaps a la shaper... I am interested to know more about the guts of it. Thanks for sharing!

[@Threadexpress]

Hi, Thanks for your support! Thanks for your design guess, it is noted, I am sure you understand I cannot reply to this until after the design is revealed. Cheers, Cliff

[@reebgogs]

I'm just curious. Long time viewer... Keep up the great work!

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for the support! Thanks for your design guess, it is noted, I am sure you understand I cannot reply to this until after the design is revealed. Cheers, Cliff

[@dcmotive]

Beautiful work!

[@Threadexpress]

Thank you! Cheers, Cliff

[@melgross]

I’ve been machining and designing equipment for over 50 years. I’ve seen some very interesting machines over the decades and I also have many old machinery books going back to the mid 1800s. I’m saying this because your machine is very interesting and clever. The concept is simple but not something I’ve come across. I have several different size Geometric automatic die heads. I’ve never had a Coventry, but basically similar. For those who haven’t heard of them, they’re used on the lathe or a turret lathe. They allowed manufacturers who needed to make special screws in fair, but not massive numbers, where an automatic screw machine would be used. These heads haven’t been made for decades. CNC, thread mills and other methods have taken over. That’s the problem with inventing something that works well, but is out of time. 50 years ago this would have been popular enough to be worthwhile making. Now, you’ve found that it isn’t. That’s a shame, really. I’m retired so my Geometric heads are great. But if I were still making products for sale, I would have considered this. I know that’s water under the bridge, so to speak, but that’s why it’s difficult to come up with a new mechanical way of doing something that can be programmed for a CNC. I’ve “invented” a number of devices and products over the years that I just make for myself, and sometimes for friends, but that I would never think of producing at volume. Good luck with this.

[@Threadexpress]

Hi there. I appreciate the time you took to give your feedback. Yes, I get a strange feeling this should have been invented years ago, it is one of those designs that is complete in itself and just got ''missed'' somehow. I wish we could meet up for a coffee, sounds like we have a lot in common, we would have lots to talk about. Best regards, Cliff

[@melgross]

@@Threadexpress I agree. Too bad I’m in New York City.

[@NightsReign]

​​@@melgross I'm not sure why your follow-up comment immediately reminded me of those old Pace Salsa commercials, but it did, and I couldn't help myself but to share. 🫣 *"This stuff's made in New York City!!"* *_"NEW YORK CITY?!!?"_* 😱 __

[@muddlersworkshop]

This is my first time seeing this and I think it is wonderfull and I would be in the camp of making one myself. So, a set of PDF drawings would be good for me. Keep up the good work.

[@Threadexpress]

Welcome onboard and thanks for the feedback. If you get time have a look at the first two introductory videos (linked above) and let me know if you have any questions. Cheers, Cliff

[@Preso58]

I'm absolutely curious as to how the mechanism operates, but I'd be interested in making one too if you release the CAD drawings. It's a shame you couldn't find a manufacturer. It will almost certainly get replicated by you know who.... I'm thinking there is a cam or a conical follower involved somewhere?

[@Threadexpress]

Hi There! Thanks for your comment. Yes it was a struggle to even get through to most manufacturers. I am a hopeless salesman. Thanks for your design guess, it is noted, I am sure you understand I cannot reply to this until after the design is revealed. Cheers, Cliff

[@melgross]

@@ThreadexpressI don’t know your experience in industry overall. But individual designers always have problems getting their foot in the door. All manufacturers have some amount of R&D going on. Big companies in particular are concerned about liability. If you show them a machine, and they’ve been working on something similar, there’s a problem. If they turn you down and then, a couple of years later, come out with theirs, you’re going to feel that they may have misappropriated yours, when they haven’t. Companies don’t like to admit what they’re working on for competitive purposes, so likely they wouldn’t tell you they were working on one. For example, Apple doesn’t talk to outside inventors. If someone sends them something in the mail, without opening it, they put it into a bigger envelope and send it right back with an explanation why. That’s not untypical.

[@kenmagalnik6596]

It has a lead screw/nut that raises the rotary table/chuck. The lead screw is coupled to the rotation of the table/chuck by means of a CVT mechanism. Adjusting the slide nut changes the ratio of the CVT.

[@kenmagalnik6596]

Which is really cool. I'm not sure what use it is, in the days when CNCs are available and can thread mill just fine, but still very cool.

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks Ken. Your guess is noted. Cheers, Cliff

[@Threadexpress]

@@kenmagalnik6596 Thanks for your thoughts. I have a CNC and do threadmilling also, and I still would use the CNC process for multiple parts that do not have to be highly accurate. But for one part, depending on the part, I would do it in ThreadExpress more quickly. Depending on the part pitch and diameter etc the ability to set the work at the helix angle gives a more accurate thread form. (This cannot be done via normal vertical CNC thread machining). Also, many small shops around the world do not have an operator that would be comfortable with CNC technology. Cheers, Cliff

[@kenmagalnik6596]

@@Threadexpress you know, this might be useful attachment for a grinder.

[@Threadexpress]

@@kenmagalnik6596 Yes I have done some basic trails: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWTOpoSGr5VgbpY at around 27 mins. Cheers, Cliff

[@johncole1801]

Hi Cliff, I'm sorry to hear that you haven't been more successful in marketing your invention. Personally, I'm also only in the third of your categories and not a potential customer. Regarding your challenge: I think you've basically replicated a lathe taper turning attachment, where your hand crank does both, turn the spindle and move the 'saddle'. The spindle must then ride on the 'cross slide' - very nice! All the best from half around the world, I'll sure follow your reveal.

[@Threadexpress]

Hi John. Thanks for your feedback and support, most appreciated. Thanks for your design guess, it is noted, I am sure you understand I cannot reply to this until after the design is revealed.

[@johncole1801]

@@Threadexpress One additional comment, if you don't mind: I very much appreciate neat mechanical solutions and would have expected nothing else from someone like you. But if I had given the task to solve this problem, I would have resorted to electronics, with a standard ball screw arrangement driven by a stepper motor for the feed movement, synchronized to the spindle motion via a rotary encoder. This allows to largely use readily available off-the-shelf parts and reduces the number of custom components that have to be machined to tight tolerances, both of which I think is important to make low volume products affordable. I wouldn't be surprised if that were to reduce overall unit costs by as much as 50%. It would trivially enable some useful features too, allowing rapid traverse to the starting position, thread pitches from zero to infinity, and also cutting left-hand threads, which would require additional gearing in your design.

[@Threadexpress]

@@johncole1801 Hi John. Yes, like others you are challenging me with a very good argument. I think I need to think this through carefully and address it in a future video. Cheers, Cliff

[@carlquib]

I, too, am guessing that it uses a variation of the sinebar principal similar to a barrel rifling machine. Depending on price, I would be interested in buying the plans or a machine or possibly both. I have cnc thread milling capabilities, but I love mechanical devices. After thought, I might be in the collector camp.

[@Threadexpress]

Hi Carl. Thanks for your feedback. You sound like a fellow hardware junky! Thanks for your design guess, it is noted, I am sure you understand I cannot reply to this until after the design is revealed. Cheers, Cliff

[@jimsvideos7201]

I'm willing to consider the plans. My mill and lathe are both MT3 spindle size so I'd need to scale it down by three or four.

[@Threadexpress]

Hi Jim. Thanks for your feedback. Cheers, Cliff

[@ashesman1]

My guess on how it works. The chuck is rotated at a constant ratio from its driver (eg the handwheel). The z axis is moved in its travel by a lever of sorts. The lever is driven by a lead screw and nut from the same driver as the chuck (eg handwheel). The pivot point of the lever (or leverage point) is altered to set the thread pitch. So hard to explain without drawing it! Keep up the great work. Cheers, Ashley

[@Threadexpress]

Hi Ashley, Thanks for your encouragement! Thanks for your design guess, it is noted, I am sure you understand I cannot reply to this until after the design is revealed. Cheers, Cliff

[@kudosjeg]

Great man!

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for the encouragement! Cheers, Cliff

[@NightsReign]

Since you said there will be follow-up videos unveiling the specifics, I won't ask any questions regarding its capabilities or pre-reqs. Full disclosure, I'm not a machinist, I'm not even equipped for hobby machining currently, but I'm keeping hope alive by clinging to "One day, I will!". Even though I couldn't even utilize the Threadexpress if I owned one, it's fascinating me! I consume a lot of content from Machinist KZbin, 1) Because it's one of the types of unintentional ASMR that actually works on me; and 2) It feels to me like the ultimate distillation of the DIY spirit (3D Printing KZbin as well) and plucky, nerdgasmic technical know-how. Using what tools you have to modify/improve upon them, and to make (for far more cost/time/effort than you could buy it new online) the tools you don't. The hobbyists with more money than time, existing toolset, experience (or in some cases, sense,) will usually opt for purchasing it delivered to their doorstep with minimal assembly, and then using it to complete those oddball projects they've been backburnering. What I've observed to the contrary is those who've entered machining from related, less technically-demanding, more physically-demanding trades (e.g. welding, forging, smithing, fabrication, general DIY construction/renovation/restoration/scratch-build, etc.) will in most cases overcommit to the bit, and want every new tool, that isn't available branded Milwaukee, Ryobi, DeWalt, Hilti, Bosch, etc. to be hand-made, and I'm 100% here for all of their successes and flops! I get a vicarious dopamine hit seeing regular use of those bodged tools from their 18-part series that should've been titled _"I'm getting in WAY over my head here and don't fully know what I'm doing or where/how to proceed or what it'll cost me, but LET'S F-ING GOOO!!!"_ but wouldn't fit in the KZbin thumbnail. Those are the best! Since I'm not a fan of the sportsball, that's my "sports". 🙃 So, since I've described what I'm not, I'll now focus on what I am, and how such a device/mechanism/tool would be relevant to me, and on that which I, random KZbin enthusiast, am an authority, which is what's pleasing to my eye. *(With my Autism & ADHD, I'm not even in control of what draws my interest much of the time, but for the sake of argument, let's assume I'm actually a rational actor...)* Having been thoroughly engrossed in this content for roughly 5 years now, I can confidently say that, aside from the mainstream content mills in this section of KZbin (e.g. Titans of CNC, et al.) I can count on one hand the amount of times I have seen thread milling utilized, and of those times, none were fly cutting. The only method I'd seen involved partially threaded tools similar to taps/dies, larger ID for external threads, smaller OD for internal threads, and would oscillate progressively deeper for thread forming (not unlike boring mills in operation). Naturally, these suffered from the same limitations that most dies and all taps suffer from, no capacity to adjust the pitch or thread geometry at all. If there's anything the process of fly cutting is noted for, conversely, it's adaptability. I'm not trying to gas you up here, but to my unqualified eye, this appears to be a must-have, or the obligatory multi-part build series, typical with Hemingway-style stock+schematics kits, for anyone with a mill, and the urge to zhuzh up their IG Reels, TikToks, or KZbin Shorts with classy & hypnotic threading content. Though, (if you'll grant me the Dad joke) Meta's Threads seems the obvious choice. 😏 Once again, I'm not actually part of your market demographic, but I believe (at least tangentially) I'm part of their market demographic, and I'm intrigued. As they say, the proof in the pudding is in the eating, so if it can do what you've specifically said it can, and hopefully what it appears to me capable of but wasn't outright mentioned. Specifically, cutting thread profiles other than standard metric and imperial nuts/bolts (like Acme), and whether it's: Compatible with an indexing/dividing head, 4-jaw, 6-jaw, and/or collet chuck; Whether the spindle can accommodate bar stock out the back as well as how much if so; And, the feasibility (with adequate preparation) of using the ThreadExpress for the machine restoration projects remachining the various Acme-threaded drivetrain screws and nuts ubiquitous to lathes, mills, drill presses, etc. I believe that capability alone would be the killer app for the ThreadExpress, insofar as my predicted engagement would land. From someone with almost full aphantasia so I have no eye for design or schematics, but a keen vision for systems and long-term, broader-picture projections (also, I'm a sucker for kiwis), I wish you all the luck and success in the world! 🫶🏾 EDIT: After posting this and reading a whole bunch of the other comments, and your responses, another potential project came to mind (if indeed it can accommodate obscure, and especially eccentric "threads"). Extruder leadscrews for 3D printer filament/beads, for both the printer, and primarily for building recycler/reclamation devices (the contraptions that take your finely-ground former 3D prints, melt the tow down, and extrude out recycled filament.) This is a device that, although conceptually easy to DIY, the extrusion leadscrew is where theory and reality diverge, as most schematics for the type of machine utilize a leadscrew with uniform, symmetrical threads. To functionally do this though, an eccentric thread is necessary, to effectively accommodate and extrude reclaimed plastics at progressively advanced stages of flux, from ambient temp solids, up to 180°C+ gelatinous liquid or liquefied gel (unsure on the proper descriptor). Anyway, this was just my random stream of consciousness system dump. I thought it worth the time to type it out, so I hope it makes some semblance of sense, and can somehow be of use to you.

[@VoidedWarranty]

There are many single point thread mills out there. the channel adam the machinist uses them all the time thread milling tungten carbide bores without a pilot hole.

[@machinists-shortcuts]

If you like unusual thread milling try Fast rise ball screw inspection jack. 30mm lift per turn. This uses a face mill to cut the male thread and balls form the female thread.

[@Threadexpress]

Wow...that was a comment! Aah...where to begin. I appreciate you taking the time to speak because content like this is showing me there is more to engineering than its nuts and bolts. I have sensed it in the past, but good to have it confirmed, there seems to be other whole realms of philosophical and psychological landscape involved. Cheers, Cliff

[@RambozoClown]

Very interesting machine. Yes, the same could be done on a 5 axis CNC like an Intergrex. But like the Tree taper boring head, for the right job it's the perfect answer. In over 20 years I can only think of maybe a handful of jobs where I would have used it, so not likely to pay for itself. I have done thread milling and thread grinding on my lathe when an absolute perfect thread form was required. This was for telescope drives that needed arc seconds accuracy, and it took much lapping to get that. I wonder if your machine could deliver that accuracy? Of course the days of mechanical accuracy are numbered. I remember seeing ball screw grinding machines where the thread was held to 10 microns over 2 meters. Now days they just grind them in the ball park, map the errors and fix it in software. I do look forward to your next video about this.

[@Threadexpress]

Hi - Good to hear the thoughts of an experienced machinist. Cheers, Cliff

[@timetodopatriotstuff2315]

Well thought out design I hope you can find a manufacturer who is interested it deserves to be out in the market well done Sr

[@Threadexpress]

Well thank you for the encouragement! Cheers, Cliff

[@guye7763]

Curious and very curious about buying one

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your feedback. Cheers, Cliff

[@northernmetalworker]

It seems to me, that the device possesses the ability to produce a spiral around an external shaft. If you mounted something like a boring head where the chuck is mounted, if you installed a cutting spindle where the boring bar would normally be installed, you could make a device that could be mounted in the field, that is capable of milling threads in the field on any exposed thread in an assembly. I can imagine producing a threaded hole on a large piece of machinery, or a large exposed stud. A portable thread milling machine. I would recommend contacting Climax portable machine tools, or York portable machinery if you are looking for a possible buyer.

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your thoughts, I see what you mean. I thought for a moment you were describing ThreadExpress v1.0 - which had a cutting head and was a portable thread making machine. But what you are describing is a little different, it is a niche bolt, clamp or mag on thread cutting attachment. Interesting....thanks! Cliff.

[@northernmetalworker]

@@Threadexpress yes, I am describing taking your machine and attaching it to a piece of equipment at a job site. Companies have made portable lathes, portable bore welding machines, portable line boring machines, even portable milling machines, but nobody has made a portable threading machine. I personally am interested in your attachment for that reason. It can be turned Into a machine.

[@101JRA]

I would love to watch you build one of these for my entertainment. As a home hobbyist I doubt I would buy one. I might buy plans, but as of right now I don't really see the advantages of this over a lathe. Maybe in your next video you could explore that more.

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your feedback and input here. Cheers, Cliff

[@watchmaking007]

The sliding thread indicator moves a tilting arm which creates a variable slope. Against the slope is a cam follower of sorts, at the other end of which is a way to raise and lower the rotating spindle head. The follower slides along the slope as the machine runs. Depending on how steep you set the master slope, the follower advances more or less per revolution of the spindle. There’s a variation on this implementation where the follower is attached to the fulcrum of a “see-saw”. That pivot point can be moved further or closer from the centre of the see-saw, adjustable by the user. One end of the see-saw is pivoted to the machine body. The other end is driven by a feed system at a fixed rate. The follower then also moves along, but at a different rate, depending on how close or far its “pivot” (the tipping point of the see-saw) is from the adjustable centre. Hard to describe in words, but these two systems both rely on having an adjustable slope. Both systems have been used for centuries in a watchmaking tool called a fusee engine, which is a type of infinitely-adjustable screw thread cutting tool. You can see them in the March 2023 edition of the Horological Journal, published by the British Horological Institute.

[@Threadexpress]

Very interesting, thanks for that. Thanks for your design guess, it is noted, I am sure you understand I cannot reply to this until after the design is revealed. Cheers, Cliff

[@waynethomas3638]

Very interested in constructing one.

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your feedback. Cheers, Cliff

[@bluehornet6752]

Cool!

[@bluehornet6752]

I would buy one I think, but would also consider building one instead.

[@Threadexpress]

@@bluehornet6752 Thanks for your feedback. Cheers, Cliff

[@allenbrown7820]

Well it showed up on my feed and now I want to see how it works. I do have one question. Does the speed at which you turn the hand crank affect the pitch in any way? Be Safe!

[@Threadexpress]

Hi Allen. Welcome aboard! I think I can safely say here that the handwheel speed does not affect the pitch in anyway without giving the design away. Cheers, Cliff

[@allenbrown7820]

🤔 It dawned on me when I read your response! I guess I had things confused with a lathe setup. It makes sense now . Can’t wait for you to open the box and let the smoke out!😁 Be Safe!

[@car9167]

You can do the same thing with 2 servo motors one for linear traversing and one for rotation. The servo controllers have electronic gearing inside which would allow you to do whatever pitch you like, have no backlash in the mechanism but also do some more complex helical machining

[@guitarchitectural]

that won't necessarily make it simpler or cheaper. probably smaller though!

[@car9167]

@@guitarchitectural Cheaper no. Probably around $700 for two 400W servo, 20mm linear rails and 12-16mm ball screw. Simpler? maybe depending on the complexity of the mechanical parts you put in your device. In a servo solution there is almost no parts you need to build except for the housing and the arbor to drive the chuck

[@guitarchitectural]

@@car9167 you also need a control system and software and a way to interact with it

[@car9167]

@@guitarchitectural Well no but you need an encoder to generate pulses similar with your hand-wheel. The encoder signal goes into one of the servo and the other comes out of the drive of the fist servo into the second servo drive. Then in the servo drives you do the gearing configuration. When you rotate the hand-wheel with the encoder, both servos moves one rotation one linear translation with the ratio you programmed.

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for starting this conversation. Yes, I thought long and hard about what are the advantages over a NC indexer. There is no backlash with ThreadExpress either. Perhaps long term, a mechanical operation would be easier to service/repair. Cost, I am not sure with production runs of say 1000, which system would be cheaper, I think mechanical, (if it is made in China anyway). Depending on how it is operated and serviced, NC may be too high tech for many traditional shops, many small shops around the world do not have an operator that would be comfortable with NC technology. Cheers! Cliff

[@VoidedWarranty]

Could you go into more detail about the helix angle? If it cant be correct vertical with a singele point thread mill due to the tool flank and releif angles, then a lathe shouldnt be able to be correct either. The cutting edge is presented the same relative to the wor, at the same angles relative to the axis of the work, its just the frame of reference is rotated 90 degrees from outside

[@Threadexpress]

Good to see folk are thinking deeply about this. I think I should go over it more in a future video. Single point threading in a lathe is not highly precise without setting the tool at the thread helix angle also. High end manufacturers such as Sandvik Coromant and Iscar produce such tools with adjustable helix angles. But the problem with thread milling (in a mill or lathe or CNC mill) is the additional issue of cutter trajectory. The tool trajectory sweep needs to be inclined to stay in the valley of the thread, if the thread pitch/diameter/cutter diameter conspire to cause the tool trajectory to cut into the thread flank. In the instances where this happens, an incorrect thread form is cut. Cliff

[@kudosjeg]

I'd like to try to build one; I just have a hobby shop right now.

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your input here! Cheers, Cliff

[@npalen]

I'm wondering about tilting the ThreadExpress to the thread helix angle and whether the mating part is produced with the same helix angle adjustment. An example would be a nut produced with a tap. Are taps made with helix angle adjustment or is the 60 degree profile perpendicular to the axis?

[@Threadexpress]

Hi there! This is a much-discussed subject as you may know. Some small diameter cutters, fine pitch and larger diameter threads do not need a helix angle setting as the sweep path of the cutter clears away from the thread form. But as the pitch and cutter diameter increases, you can imagine the sweep of the cutter does not stay in the thread 'valley', but begins to cut into the thread profile, especially with internal threads. This is why higher precision thread cutting processes such as thread grinding, have helix angle adjustments. Because the helix angle varies from thread to thread, affected by its diameter and pitch, the thread profile of a multipurpose cutter cannot accommodate all the different profile shape offset requirements to suit every thread, so a symmetrical thread form is used, and the helix angle is set when required. High end cutter manufacturers such as Sandvik Coromant and Iscar produce lathe screw cutting tooling with adjustable helix angles. If you are interested, there are pages of information available from these suppliers on the setting of helix angles. this is a quote: "The parameter for tilting the threading insert relative to the helix angle of threading is of great importance when threading is produced.' Re your question on tap form. A tap is thread pitch and diameter specific and does not need a variable helix angle adjustment, but it does have a clearance profile ground to the thread's helix angle. Cheers, Cliff

[@npalen]

" it does have a clearance profile ground to the thread's helix angle" What is meant by "clearance profile"? The grinding wheel is dressed to other than 60 degrees?

[@melgross]

@@npalenno. Clearance profile means that the form of the tool below the cutting edge is angled away from the work being cut. It’s similar to trepanning on the lathe where the cutter has to have the outer side of the cutter curve inward toward the bottom so as not to impact the outer edge of the cut. Not exactly the same of course as the threading tool moves longitudinally as it’s cutting, whereas the trepanning cutter just moves inwards. But the clearance is the same concept.

[@npalen]

@@melgross So are taps ground to a true 60 degree profile or to ever so slightly different than 60 to compensate for helix angle? I understand what you mean by clearance.

[@darkobul1]

I think its super cool device. Looking forward to see how it works. As I am amateur trying to recreate some Nikola Tesla mechanism which seems dificult to machine without CNC. I asked many people for tip how can be done otherwise without much luck. Maybe your device will help me concieve a jig for it.

[@darkobul1]

Just the fact that you have published video of device is sufficient proof.

[@Threadexpress]

@@darkobul1 Hi - Thanks for sharing your situation. I hope a full revelation will help you further. Best of luck. Cheers, Cliff

[@weldmachine]

Cliff, after watching this video, I have some thoughts about a possible end user 🤔 My thoughts are to Not open up your design so easily for others to copy. I would prefer to see you trying to offer it in kit form. Especially good for those who like to play around in their home shops, garages etc I would offer it in kit form in stages of completion, right up to a full Thread Express, but not yet assembled or possible in different stages of completion to make it a little easier to assemble for those who may only be capable of basic assemble. The stages could be spread out to levels of competition. Leaving a purchaser to choose an appropriate kit that might suit their capabilities as far as completion of some of the parts that were not included in each individual kit. Leaving the possibility for someone to manufacture some of the parts themselves, or even include drawings of how the parts could be manufactured by a Machine shop. I understand their would be a fair amount of work initially needed. But other than some basic CAD drawings, which can be produced in a copy format via pdf after purchasing the kit. I feel this would not only be a good way to make use of time already invested in producing the Thread Express. It would also give people an opportunity to be involved in a real project that actually does something, not just sit on a window sill collecting dust ?? The kit, as mentioned, could be broken up into stages as to allow a cheaper price for a Thread Express that would require less or more work from the person buying the kit. You can produce separate items and make them available through your website that could be purchased later after buying a less detailed kit. Basically, you would be involved in producing the parts to assemble the Thread Express. But leave any detailed assembly for the purchaser. The finer details of levels of assembly can be decided as each kit is sold. I doubt you will be overrun with parts to manufacture. But it's a great way to get the Thread Express out into the market. Possibly think seriously about doing something like this. It would be up to individual people to decide what they want to buy.

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks again for taking the time to view and comment. Especially after your last thoughts. (You echo my thinking with both sets of comments). So with the plans and kits I have been mulling this over. What about support...some beginners out of their depth may need a lot. Not many.. but the occasional ahh....one... can then get really.. unpleasant....Your thoughts? Cliff

[@weldmachine]

@@Threadexpress Cliff I'm happy to read that your thoughts are open to possibly selling the Thread Express in the form of a Kit. I guess anything is possible when dealing with customers in regards to problem solving ?? How would you overcome such possible difficult purchasers ?? In the extreme case of a totally unsatisfied customer ? You simply do as the large retailers do. Offer a full refund providing they pay return freight and the item is returned in an undamaged state. ( even slightly damaged could be overlooked for the sake of good customer service and I'm sure in most cases any damage could be reworked to a sellable item that could be offered to purchasers as a remanufactured item at a discounted price for those who have started purchasing Thread Express in a delayed Kit form or in an ongoing build ) For general assembly. You post videos on your channel showing step by step instructions of the assembly. This will do 3 things ?? Give the purchaser confidence to have a series videos to follow, this would also reassure the purchaser of what they are getting into Before the purchase, and best of all it will help to promote Thread Express here on KZbin pretty much free of charge only costing you time to produce the videos. ( which I'm sure you would enjoy making anyway 😉 ) Of course others could watch the videos and copy your designs. But, it seems that might happen anyway IF you find yourself at a dead-end with the Thread Express. I'm sure this would only be a very small percentage of people anyway. And possibly they might purchase some items from you to complete their copied version. I feel the Kit idea is a lot better than open source of all of your work. Not to sound too nasty to your customers ?? But in the case of the Kits being sold as an ongoing build. In some cases purchasers may lose interest in the build and simply give up. NO concern for you IF this happened. That is the customers decision to make. You simply offer Thread Express as a Kit for enthusiast to Enjoy building at home 😉 Happy to chat more IF you feel like sharing your thoughts 👍

[@Threadexpress]

@@weldmachine Thanks for your thoughts again! Most appreciated! Cheers, Cliff

[@johnridgeway6718]

I'm curious. If you release the prints I would like that also. Thank you.

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for the feedback. Cheers, Cliff

[@joansparky4439]

patents got invented in 14th century Venice to prevent non-domestic competition from increasing the supply of commodities, copyrights go introduced in 17th century England to prevent competing publishers from reprinting books. Anything IP is a means for a few to control the supply of some commodity, disabling competitive markets.

[@joansparky4439]

and yes, IP being sold as "the protection of the small guy from the big bad company" is a very good marketing ploy, while in reality IP creates the big bad company from a pool of small guys by creating a winner-takes-all-environment.

[@Threadexpress]

@@joansparky4439 Thanks for your thoughts! Cheers, Cliff

[@joansparky4439]

@@Threadexpress I thought it might help looking at it from that perspective - esp as u seem having accepted to "gift it away" anyway. I'm sure u put lots of ur lifetime time into developing this and in a more egalitarian world u'd be much more happy to just share it. I'm just sorry we don't exist in such a world (yet).

[@Threadexpress]

@@joansparky4439 Thanks for clarifying your reason for the first comments. And your last comment has given me something to think about ! Cheers, Cliff

[@Calligraphybooster]

I wonder what your perceived market would be in this age of cnc manufacturing. Conventional machining is on the back foot I’d think, save special one-offs like big disks and long axles. From an intellectual point of view projects like yours remain interesting however. It’s like looking into the past and asking ourselves if the 17th century missed out on inventing the i.c.e. or the machinegun. (Or: can, with the tools of that age and today’s knowledge, a repeating flintlock firearm be built?- a formula for tech contests maybe.) Looking at your machine my first thought was: Why milling per se? A driven tool, mounted on the toolpost of a lathe, could accomplish the same thing. A last note: maybe it is wiser for those who want to patent an invention never to speak of it as of a discovery waiting to take place. A disc based CVT inside? Thanks for sharing, I’m looking forward to new episodes.

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for taking the time to give your thoughts. I think worldwide, many smaller shops do not have CNC capacity, yet want to do a wide range of work inhouse. Yes, I wonder why this attachment was not available in the past also! Yes, thread milling on the lathe is a common process. The main advantages of this unit are speed of setting the pitch, and setting odd pitches that are not available on many lathes, and having indexing for hexagons etc., and being able to turn the unit slowly more easily. Thanks for your design guess, it is noted, I am sure you understand I cannot reply to this until after the design is revealed. Cheers, Cliff

[@jasonhull5712]

I would love to buy one. But I’m expecting this to have a rather large price tag. Therefore I feel I would most likely need to buy the plans to make one myself. I too am just a one man band so to speak.

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your feedback. Cliff

[@pierrec1590]

The demand will be proportional to the demand of the various parts it produces, divided by the number of alternatives means to produce the same parts. Also, the machine has to be amenable to integration into a highly automated production line.

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your thoughts. Cheers, Cliff

[@camreg5510]

I think you could sell it and also sell plans of it

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your feedback. Cliff

[@taffbats]

Im guessing it's a miniature version of a sine bar rifling machine?

[@Threadexpress]

Hi, Thanks for your design guess, it is noted, I am sure you understand I cannot reply to this until after the design is revealed. Cheers, Cliff

[@alejandrolabarca4366]

Hi Cliff, Alejandro from Chile, my choice es to lear and do it for myself. Better if you show the design. Regards.

[@Threadexpress]

Hi Alejandro. Thanks for your input here. Cheers, Cliff

[@AndySomogyi]

Neat, but you can easily convert a mill to CNC, and do FAR more than thread milling .

[@Threadexpress]

Hi Andy. Yes, I agree with you on that. If you are able to handle CNC technology, then first build the CNC mill. And save Threadexpress for later project. Cheers, Cliff

[@sabinoroble2974]

I would like to know the price of the options: buy, build, buy plans.

[@Threadexpress]

Hi. I have not worked out the best road forward yet. Keep an eye out for updates. Cliff

[@sighpsycho]

I'd like to understand it, failing that pay for plans, broke but curious

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your input here! Cheers, Cliff

[@ToBeeOrNotToBeHoney]

Very interesting addon. Unfortunately, it appears to require (at least the version you are showing) being able to swing the head off the bed. Great for Knee style mills be a bench mill that does not allow the head to move in that way would need some heavy modifications. Mounting the device horizontally (similar to my BS2 dividing head BS2) would have a number of advantages I think such as handling longer thread. Good luck, I look foreword to seeing the plans. As far as my guess as to the pitch mechanism it think you are using a continuous variable transmission type device. As you move the sliding nut you are increasing or decreasing the size of the "gear" on one side of the transmission. This can be done in several ways but to get the accuracy I am guessing that you have a system similar to : kzbin.info/www/bejne/lX_VkoejeaqkhLM

[@Threadexpress]

Hi there ToBee. Thanks for your comment. Yes, I have mounted it horizontally see this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWTOpoSGr5VgbpY But would you not need a horizontal spindle? Thanks for your guess - it is noted. Cheers, Cliff

[@DougFreer-vn6ic]

Sine bar principle?

[@Threadexpress]

Hi Doug. Thanks for your input here. Thanks for your design guess, it is noted, I am sure you understand I cannot reply to this until after the design is revealed. Cheers, Cliff

[@OuroborosArmory]

I dont see the need for this when you have a lathe.. but hey, with plans I may make it just because it would be fun. I would never buy one.

[@Threadexpress]

Hi - Thanks for the feedback. I have lathes and CNC and still find Threadexpress the better option for certain types of jobs. Cheers, Cliff

[@dannirr]

🤣 Why would anyone spend a penny on an obsolete hunk of metal? CNC thread milling is cheap, easily available etc etc

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your thoughts. I have a CNC and do threadmilling also, and I still would use the CNC process for multiple parts that do not have to be highly accurate. But for one part, depending on the part, I would do it in ThreadExpress more quickly. Depending on the part pitch and diameter etc the ability to set the work at the helix angle gives a more accurate thread form. (This cannot be done via normal vertical CNC thread machining). Also, many small shops around the world do not have an operator that would be comfortable with CNC technology. Cheers, Cliff

[@melgross]

Many small, one (wo)man shops don’t have CNC and never will. The question is whether the cost of this would be worthwhile for them, depending on what work they do.

[@mattholden5]

@ThreadExpress You're not solving a problem I can't solve with freely available mainstream CAD/CAM packages like Fusion360 2D+1. Z axis is the easiest to cancel backlash on a vertical mill since gravity will always pull down. I can't tell if you're trolling or just uninformed.

[@Threadexpress]

Hi Matt - Not everyone around the world has CAD/CAM and a CNC machine. I have a CNC and do threadmilling also, and I still would use the CNC process for multiple parts that do not have to be highly accurate. But for one part, depending on the part, I would do it in ThreadExpress more quickly. Depending on the part pitch and diameter etc the ability to set the work at the helix angle gives a more accurate thread form. (This cannot be done via normal vertical CNC thread machining). Also, many small shops around the world do not have an operator that would be comfortable with CNC technology. Cliff

[@NightsReign]

​​​@@Threadexpress Matter of fact, the majority of expert machinists actively resist the hivemind adoption of CNC. I'm sure a lot of it boils down to "oldboy no like new gadget", but much of it is correct recognizing a leap from a manual to automated process, that isn't necessarily a smooth transition improving upon, or even capable of reproducing, all the same processes. CNC mills, lathes, hybrids can do so much more than standalone manual mills and lathes, but there is plenty they simply can't... The fact that so many machinist's apprentices nowadays aren't even getting an introductory crash course on the manual forebears, before they're purely CNC machining is frankly, erasing multiples of the 19th/20th century's greatest achievements, in real-time... Once all of the old-guard master machinists fully succumb to old age and retire or die off, the disappearance of this skillset will hasten even more than it has been already. Machinery's Handbooks will be available, until they aren't, or you can only get it digitally, until you can't. And then...? To those who aren't paying attention, this might seem like horsedrawn carriage drivers railing against the horseless buggy, or perhaps the relatively rapid transition from mechanical, to electromechanical, to electronic in virtually all devices and appliances, but it feels much more existential... When I was in my childhood and teenage years, adults used the potential of a tradecraft career as an *active threat* to highschool graduates considering between entering the workforce, or matriculation! *_"No college?! You don't want to wind up as a plumber or electrician, DO YOU?!"_* The inherent reality, at least for American teens facing that decision, was *"Do you really want to apprentice for a lucrative, highly-valued and highly-respected (by people actually tethered to reality), essential and non-fungible skillset you can take pride in, or wouldn't you rather have a soul-crushing job in a cubicle, where your boss doesn't know your name, and you'll only glimpse their face a few times before your downsized from budget-slashing and stock-buybacks, and the majority of your income until your a grandparent will be diverted to pay off predatory student loans you will never crawl out from under without collecting a large inheritance of which nobody in your family is wealthy enough to enable? Come on, why not tempt fate and just sell your soul for zero job security?"* Oof! I really got lost in the weeds on that one. What I'd meant to say was, this societal stance was only held by idiots, of the excessively wealthy and privileged variety. Apparently, and it's surprising that this was surprising to so many people, no matter how beneath you or your family name you believe these professions, when everyone has actually heeded the braindead warning not to join the ranks of unwashed tradespeople, no amount of money or connections or leverage or power will buy you a professional officially certified in completing relevant projects. Naturally, there will be unqualified people appearing from the æther to claim those riches being offered. Quality/completion of the job however rarely factored into that. Also, once they've collected that payday and vanished, the slapdash workmanship fails, and people get hurt or worse, there's no business, or licensed professional to hold accountable. This deeply flawed mindset seems to be having a renaissance, beginning with machinists. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise, the Luddites were 100% correct and justified with their movement, and the same 100+ years following their persecution and execution, then saw literally anything left-wing or egalitarian, and the Luddite movement smeared by relentless propaganda campaigns... Damn, this became a major rant...and now I'm beside myself, in need of some quiet contemplation...

[@Threadexpress]

@@NightsReign Yes that was quite a rant! You have quite a flare for writing! I think you touch on some real societal issues there. The many comments under this video have really caused me to pause and think deeply about these topics. I am at risk of losing my purely technical focus! Keep up the good work. Cheers, Cliff

[@NightsReign]

@@Threadexpress It really just grabs my heart in a deathgrip and squeezes when I see, juxtaposed next to all of these truly passionate hobbyist machinists keeping these skills in circulation, and the career machinists vanishing from the landscape day by day, there are these people with the absolute narrowest possible perspective of the world, popping up constantly to loudly proclaim *"That's dumb! You should just use CNC for all things!"* I can't even be sure they even have experience with CNC, or are just cribbing from something they read once. Because, they sound just like all of the techbros hyping AI as the future, but _I refuse to live in the pod!_ _I refuse to eat the protein paste!_ *I reject the myriad horrors of AI, the current ones, and those on the horizon!*