ThreadExpress 2.2 - Further Revelation

This video ThreadExpress 2.2 - Do you want one now?
ThreadExpress 2.2 Introduction: • ThreadExpress 2.2 Desi...
ThreadExpress 2.1 Introduction: • ThreadExpress 2.1 - A ...
ThreadExpress 2.0 Introduction: • ThreadExpress 2 - Thre...

[@Threadexpress]

After publishing I noticed right at the end a spy peering through the window! 😎Yikes...☹

[@georgedreisch2662]

Saw that too. My first thought was the old, “Kilroy was here” graffiti…

[@Threadexpress]

@@georgedreisch2662 Yes! My Dad used to draw those! Cliff

[@Preso58]

I like the idea of having options when it comes to cutting threads. In a lot of cases, thread milling would be preferable. My only issue is the physical size of the Thread Express. You would need a Bridgeport or similar sized knee mill to make it work. That probably puts it out of the reach of most hobbyists. I am hoping the mechanism could be refined or scaleable to make it lighter and more compact. Can't wait for the final reveal. It's like the dance of the seven veils!

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your support! Cheers, Cliff

[@Threadexpress]

Yes, a scaled down version, with a finer small thread range to suit, could be designed. Maybe a 'half size'' Cliff

[@stephenbergman3875]

Cliff, I think you have a very unique product. The ability to set all different pitches with no additional tooling is brillant. I say this as a machinist with 45 years experience and over 20 in aerospace. Everything you've said regarding thread pitch and form is 100% SPOT ON. Setting the axis of cutter rotation perpendicular to the thread lead angle is necessary to cut highly accurate thread form. I have setup thread milling attachments on vertical milling machines that used a ground precision lead to run the rotating base up or down. This required a different master lead for every different pitch. This is one area where your machine really shines! Additionally it appears that the pitch may be infinitely adjustable, providing an easy way to produce proprietary and unique threads. I'm anxious to see how your mechanisms works! Regards, Stephen, Idaho USA

[@Threadexpress]

Hi Stephen. Thanks for your experienced points, feedback and encouragement! Most appreciated

[@allenbrown7820]

I believe you should continue on. I like the idea you can cut flats and scallops also. Waiting on the next video to see when you take the lid off and let the smoke out of the box! Be Safe!

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your feedback Allen. Cliff

[@stevengehm1287]

I say PRESS ON! When the light bulb goes on in the rest of the world, You were already there, and guess what.. Here it is available. I guess folks who like building from a kit might purchase one, but the Production capabilities are where this guy will prove worthwhile. I dig it.

[@Threadexpress]

That was encouraging! Cheers! Cliff

[@johnthebikeguy]

As someone who machines original things, I totally get the frustration of no demand. Your design is definitely an improvement over dies. I almost never use dies unless it’s not very important. I have no idea about how it works, but I feel confident that you’ve done a good job at it. I’ve thought about using a rotary cutter on the lathe, but never tried.

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your empathy and support. Cheers, Cliff

[@markh253]

I like it. I can see a lot of possibilities with this machine.

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for the feedback! Cliff

[@RustyInventions-wz6ir]

Very interesting. Nice machine

[@Threadexpress]

Cheers! Cliff

[@jasonarnold7578]

Hi Cliff, just on the thread cutting on a lathe, Joe Pie (KZbin) had a great solution with the single point held upside down and the lathe run in reverse. Also, a die head with chasers makes an awesome thread and doesn't require a relief trench in the part. I think your thread express is a great idea for people that don't have a CNC mill or even people that have a manual mill but don't have a lathe. The real question should be cost. Cheers, Jason.

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your thoughts. Usually cost depends on production quantity, which depends on demand, which depends on price...and so we go around and around. Cheers, Cliff

[@Threadexpress]

I have tried reverse thread cutting... have you tried it? It is useful in some situations but has its challenges too. You need an undercut to set the tool into each time and unless it is wide, it is difficult to stop the lathe in the exact position that lets the tool clear the work, a chipped tool is often the outcome. Also, you cannot see the cutting action as it is underneath, you often need to see when you are machining challenging materials and threads. Cliff

[@zacharyv3407]

Very cool…I need to check out the rest of ur vids

[@Threadexpress]

Cheers! Cliff

[@keithupson5495]

That's a mint piece of kit. We dont have a great need to machine a lot of threads. But this definitely has its place for sure. I am very interested in your pitch generator design. Well done. As you say, a lot of good ideas are well overlooked or dismissed, Lots of ways of doing things. Tradesmen are few and far between these days. Some strive and aspire for excellence. Some simply don't care. And would except anything. Be very proud of yourself. You have Nailed it.

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your kind words and encouragement! Cheers, Cliff

[@aguycalledlucas]

I’m interested. It looks like a fun to use and interesting tool.

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your feedback. Cliff

[@tapp1t]

Hi, This is the first video I've seen from you, very interesting. I have an idea as to what is going on and suspect that by increasing the length of the pitch scale you would potentially increase the accuracy. Though this is not necessary, I merely point it out to demonstrate an understanding of what is going on. I am very interested in this or plans for it, I don't think it's a home workshop device unless it was a project, but in the real world I think it may have a place. I'd rather have one or two good lathes to cater for the different sizes of jobs and not have to have the four we have now, each set up for different threads / sizes of work, and to be able to produce higher quality threads would be a godsend. It's also worth noting that by the time the thread is formed on a part there is usually quite a lot of time and value already invested, so anything that makes it easier and quicker has to be a win. I'll have a look at your other videos, but in the mean time I say kick on and good luck!

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your thoughts and encouragement. Cheers, Cliff

[@user-oq7xg8jo5g]

Hi Cliff. Am very intrigued and can’t wait to the reveal. I think the accuracy compared to other methods is awesome. You are of the Rob Renzetti and Stefan Gotteswinter class of talent.

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your kind words and feedback. Cheers, Cliff

[@mccallan2798]

Don't know Ess Haitch 1 Tea about threads but I'm sure this is groundbreaking. Kudos to you. Well done.

[@Threadexpress]

Cheers! Cliff

[@ashesman1]

I had once upon a time thought about building a live tool for the tool post of my manual lathe to do this exact job (and maybe grinding too) Easy to get the helix angle too.

[@Threadexpress]

Yes, thread milling in a lathe is very useful. Cheers, Cliff

[@KenToonz]

Cliff, your ingenuity and craftsmanship always fascinate me and I have no doubt this invention is superior to other methods. I believe the issue is that one would need to generate a lot of screws to justify the cost and that someone who makes lots of screws already has a method that is faster. That method may not be as accurate, but it's sufficient for their application.

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your thoughts, you make a good point. Cheers, Cliff

[@georgedreisch2662]

You’ve got my attention. Preliminary imagining here. I’m imagining, with a adequate pass through diameter, and provision for a spider or a outboard mounted 4-jaw chuck, for alignment and support, finding use to mill threads on firearm barrel breaches and muzzles.

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your thoughts, I keep forgetting to show the pass through. Cheers, Cliff

[@ramviswanathan3301]

Hi Cliff, I wonder if one can use your device for helical or spiral milling in addition to thread cutting. I was thinking your device might have a resemblance to the Deckel FP1 or FP2 helical milling attachment. I believe Aciera and Maho also had these attachments available for their universal tool room milling machines. Those devices were used for cutting mills, drills, taper shank mills, lead screws etc. I like your device, especially the thread precision and the ability to cut to the shoulder without an undercut. Depending on the price, this device could be very successful in the market.

[@jtbranman]

Great job on this. I have enjoyed following your development. I definitely would be interested in plans. I think it is possible that the people who make the negative comments are ones who don't make screw threads, or they don't understand the significance of your mechanism. I program CNC machines every day and I would like to have a "Thread Express". Thanks for the videos!

[@Threadexpress]

Good to hear your point of view. Thanks, Cliff

[@gertjevanpoppel7270]

It is a beautiful piece of work 👍😀. And i love making threads on my lathe and take pride in making a beautiful thread. I can see the benefits of this machine and the quality of threads it's capable of making. The question you ask yourself in the video is if there is a use for a production version of this machine in today's industry. And i think you should ask yourself how many shops produce high quality threads around the world and how are they doing it now. And can this small percentage off shops see the benefit from your machine. Nobody with any related knowledge to accurate machining of threads doubts the capability of your machine. But the question is does it bring any benefits for them if they change from their current methods to your machine and how many of these shops are willing to do so. The only way to get the answer is for you to go actively to these shops and show them what you got . Also ( I don't know the exact English word) you should get your machine on these kinds of conventions where manufacturers come together and show their new machines for the industry. In my opinion there is a future for your machine , but it will be a small specialized market. Companies that produce accurate machines with accurate parts and threads would surely see the benefits of using your machines in my opinion. But it will take the necessary work and effort from you to get your machine noticed in this part of the industry 😀. Please keep making this great content and videos and share your ideas with us 👍😀 Sad to see people making comments that don't have any idea about making accurate threads and the basic concepts behind thread cutting.

[@Threadexpress]

Hi! Thanks, you for your encouragement and kind words. Also, for your thoughts. It is not just high-quality threads, but speed and ease of production. One thing I forgot to mention, is that with a lathe, if the leadscrew is exposed, it should be cleaned each time before use, so hard chips are not jammed in the half nuts. Best regards, Cliff

[@LeonardRoberts]

This looks like a wonderful tool to have, very versatile, also like being able to do multiple processes in one setup. As a true beginner (60 y/o dipping his toe in the water) just getting started with my first Lathe and have only a drill press no Milling machine (yet), I vote continue on, by the time my skills and wallet could afford this it will be a reasonable price ;-).

[@LeonardRoberts]

Need to add, going back to watch the other videos and subscribed.

[@Threadexpress]

@@LeonardRoberts Thanks ! Cliff

[@harry8506]

I can see a use with precision engine building and racing field and R&D, custom and restoration of cars and machinery , maybe even hydraulic fitting manufacture of special adapters that are not commercially available.

[@Threadexpress]

OK, Thanks, Cliff

[@ianschutt6242]

Even Hitchcock could not have created the level of suspense imparted by those unscrewed cap screws! Fantastic in all respects…Thanks!

[@Threadexpress]

You noticed them! Love it! (did you notice the spy peering through the window at the end?) Cheers, Cliff

[@bid6413]

Loving your process on releasing the design. I can’t speak for others but as a hobbyist I am tackling the type of projects that would require the multitude of features your device makes possible. I’m doing things that are much more basic. Thanks for all the effort you have put into this device. I might buy plans with a dream of someday being able to make one. Cheers, TB

[@Threadexpress]

@@bid6413 Thanks for your feedback. Cheers, Cliff

[@danproctor15]

it looks to be a fantastic unit and would find a large market if it can be built at a reasonable price, I'd encourage you to keep at it.

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your feedback! Cheers, Cliff

[@ShawnColorado]

I would be interested in learning more and buying plans in the future when you are ready to start selling them. Thank You.

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your feedback. Cliff

[@tractor6574]

This is a good idea, keep improving it. We can never have too many machines to do the same tasks. Not all of us part time machinest have CNC machines.

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your feedback. Cliff

[@RogerSchoeni]

Just discovered your channel and new to the idea. Quite like it and if it would be affordable for a hobbyist would love to build one. In a computer controlled world I just love mechanical things

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your feedback. Cheers, Cliff

[@robbailey212]

I rarely comment on line but I think you have an excellent invention here and I largely agree with the points you make in the videos. Due to my personal circumstances I am not in a position to either buy or make one presently but it's something I would aspire to acquire in the future. My second hand lathe was missing the change wheels and acquiring them has been costly and is not yet complete so depending on the price a product like this would be an alternative solution. One addition that would make it more attractive to me would if it could incorporate a dividing head attachment. This may then enable the machining of some complex helical components. Furthermore if its possible to reduce the length it would fit better on my CVA milling machine and potentially Chinese micro mills to. As well as functioning as a rotary table. One suggestion I have would be to lend a threadexpress or do a collaboration video with other machinists youtubers. Four I have in mind would be mrpete22, joepie, abom79 and doubleboost. In the meantime I look forward to your next video as I imagine the mechanism to be like a swash plate in a hydraulic pump perhaps incorporating a CV joint arrangement. Best wish with the product.

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your feedback. Appreciated, Cliff

[@kimworthington25]

Sorry mate, I totally forgot to comment on the previous video. But looks very interesting to me, I would be quite keen on adding one to my little hobby workshop. But I’m not sure if that would be you offering plans for sale, or indeed manufacturing it from scratch. But I want one. 100%!!

[@Threadexpress]

Good to hear your positive feedback. Cliff

[@kevinmullen4352]

You are right thread milling causes quadrant errors as back lash from the reversal of the ball screws does generate a lobe effect. We had a precision thread grinder and you need to set the helix angle

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your feedback. Cliff

[@bkoholliston]

You certainly have an interesting idea there! I do agree with Preso that it is too large for hobbyists. Once you showed the continuously variable thread pitch adjustment mechanism (last video I think), I thought, well there are only a few choices for coupling the spindle and raising mechanism: One would be cone pulleys joined by a belt and based on the physical size, that seems like it would work; another would be a variable diameter pulley like a Reeves pulley again using a belt to join the spindle and the raising mechanism (lead screw?) but the Reeves pulleys I've seen would all be too big your device so you'd have to make it. A third way would be a flat rubber wheel driven by the spindle and a smaller rubber wheel that moves in-and-out radially to translate power to the lifting mechanism. This is the kind of transmission that every snowblower uses for the drive wheels, but I'm not sure you have seen a lot of those in your part of the world! Ramsden's Dividing Engine was similar to this mechanism. I'm pretty sure based on the size, that you don't have a hydrostatic transmission in there and anyway it would probably not provide the required precision unless make to extreme tolerances (so I'll be very impressed if it's a hydrostatic device). I certainly agree that with all the required bearings etc. to get high-precision operation, your invention will not be cheap to make or sell. Maybe since it turns slowly, it could run in plain cast iron bearings, so having a casting done could be a way to go.

[@Threadexpress]

Interesting points, thanks for your feedback. Cliff

[@tano1747]

I would definitely be interested in a set of plans. Whether i would proceed to make one would depend on difficulty of manufacture, which i would have to assess once i could see what i was up against. If it was doable with my manual lathe and mill, then I think would definitely be an interesting project.

[@Threadexpress]

Well thanks for the feedback. Cheers, Cliff

[@quintonmorgan8112]

Hey Cliff, I think your invention is very interesting. I can’t wait to see how it works and I was very intrigued when I first saw it on your last video and been eagerly waiting for the next update. I would be interested in building it or buying one from you. I would like to see how it performs when mounted on my makino c-40 tool and cutter grinder. I’ve experimented with thread grinding on it by using lead screw masters mounted on the head stock and using a finger the make the table move as you rotate the head stock so you can thread on it. And I used a radius tangent angle dresser to dress the wheel to the correct shape. Your thread express would save me from having to make a bunch of masters for each pitch.

[@Threadexpress]

Interesting! Thanks for commenting. Please email me if you want to discuss this anytime. I would also love to hear about your thread grinding trials. Cheers, Cliff

[@allenwoodruff9341]

Discovered your channel this morning. You have a very interesting machine. For most of the machining done in this world tolerances of plus or minus. 005" to .003" is fine. Thus, the errors of CNC interpolation are not a problem. Once you start trying to hold tolerances of .001" and better the inaccuracies become far more problematic. This is doubly true when you start working with smaller parts. I have spent a lifetime building niche industrial machinery and can tell you that you do not need to build large numbers of machines to have a viable business. The world is a big place and once you start selling a machine people start finding uses for it that you never thought of. I would encourage you to continue your work. Let me know if you start selling plans I would love to build one and see what I could do with it.

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your thoughts and feedback. Most appreciated. Cliff

[@VoidedWarranty]

Interpolation errors of .003 or even .001" is extremely high! mine has a maximum position error in aln axes of .00011, its much better if you only measure in 2 axes

[@guywihn1658]

I'm a retired automotive machinist and would love to have one! The plans to build one or a manufactured one. Most people on KZbin are using the platform for entertainment so they will not be your customer base!

[@Threadexpress]

Yes I tend to agree. Thanks for your feedback. Cliff

[@belair_boy6035]

Personally as a maker and model engineer, I might be interested in building a version of it once I knew how it worked and what was involved but as I can currently cut threads by several methods, I would not buy a finished product. Looking forward to the final reveal. Cheers, Andrew

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for the feedback Andrew, Cheers, Cliff

[@SimjetAU]

I think the main reason for lack of interest would be the cost of it. There is a ton of work and machining involved to build one. Yes it would be fantastic to have such a precision device but when you weigh up the costs to have one are the returns going to be worth that outlay when a similar maybe not so precision can be achieved by the current accepted methods

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your thoughts. Usually cost depends on production quantity, which depends on demand, which depends on price...and so we go around and around. Cheers, Cliff

[@prestonengebretson5043]

Hola Cliff, Sorry for not commenting on the First Video of this lovely machine...I would see this used for Repair, Prototyping and Modification of existing parts. Could I or would I like one, Yes!!! How often would it get used in the shop is the Million dollar question. For what we do it would likely be handy a couple of times a month or maybe more. I like the precision of being able to adjust the Helix angle and the quick way to change the Thread Pitch...very handy...I can almost see having it sit on a Dedicated Bridgeport Mill that one could just walk up to and adjust the angles and start working. Very interesting in how it works and would buy plans to build it, though knowing how a small run of Production of this machine would cost you and then your needed profit on top of that...we would not likely be a customer...look forward to your next video...We have CNC and I totally disagree with many saying that they could just use CNC...not in many cases...

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for taking the time to give feedback. Cheers, Cliff

[@Lwimmermastermetalart]

I do believe it’s quite a bit of genius. I’ve been a journeyman toolmaker since 1976. When I first started my own shop one production part I made I used a Geometric (brand name) die head in a turret . Very good threads and would cut to the required thread gauge very quickly. Then as years went by I had several CNC lathes and mills. I’ve cut single point threads all the time. However I do see the logic in your process. I would love to see what’s under the cover but understand if you don’t. I’ve invented quite a few things in my life and found utility patents to be way too expensive. A design patent is simply a waste of money. While I can certainly see the value in your product I still believe it would only be appealing to a certain amount of shops. I still think it’s brilliant however the only thing I don’t like is the size of it. To put the unit on a mill it will sit so high up on the table. Now if you have a power knee feed that’s not so bad but if not that’s a LOT of cranking. I do hope I can see the inside. Maybe not put it in a KZbin video but perhaps it could be emailed to seriously interested ppl somehow. Heck if you do decide to put into production of any quantity I’d love to have the opportunity to quote you on components. My sons have bought my shop now but could do components at a very competitive price. Especially in lower volumes. Overall I love the video and hope we can further discuss this. Good job young grasshopper lol 👍🏼👍🏼

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for the feedback and your thoughts! Cheers, Cliff

[@furiousg1589]

Personally, I think it's brilliant. I feel your frustration. I think you're trying to apply your engineers logical mind to understand the illogical nature of humans and their emotions. A futile endeavor. I wouldn't pay too much attention to KZbin comments. Most people (like me) are here not because we're professionals, but we either have a interest in machining or it's just a hobby. I love watching videos like yours for hours, but don't even own a milling machine (I am a graphic designer). Just some food for thought. Try not to get frustrated. It's a great invention you've made and I'm sure there is a market for it. Finding who that could be is the challenge. Best of luck Cliff - I, for one, am rooting for you.

[@Threadexpress]

Your good points are noted. Cheers, Cliff

[@deepwinter77]

I think it's a useful tool, most of the views are going to be by people who are not in a position to use the device, so I wouldn't use view count as a number for potential customers. Out of comments you have quite a high interest rate. Things like this genuinely new and useful tools will take some time to filter through to those who could be interested. Price will be a big factor, but I can see this being extremely useful in any Job shop.

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your feedback. Yes this set of comments shows more demand. Cheers, Cliff

[@Ideasite]

For me, the biggest question is vertical clearance. I'm not clear on how the machine can be oriented. To set it up to cut the threads vertically, as most of your examples show, it would need to hand off the edge of a mill table and would require that the mill head be able to rotate over that axis. I happen to have a horizontal mill with a vertical attachment. It cannot swivel to the location I would need to use the machine. If there were any other arrangement that would place the chuck on the mechanism at a 90° angle to its current orientation, it would fit a lot smaller vertical height and might work for more users.

[@Threadexpress]

Hi - Have a look at the earlier videos that show it mounted in different positions. Links above. Cliff

[@strykerjones8842]

I’m fascinated by this machine. I’m a hobby machinist so money would be better spent on tooling or machines. If the price was reasonable I would purchase plans. I doubt I could afford to have you manufacture it. That being said this mechanism seems superior to many other processes. I think you should continue your journey, a market can be created for your invention if one doesn’t exist already. Many great discoveries from great men have come in their dreams. Don’t waste your opportunity, the universe was speaking to you.

[@Threadexpress]

Yes I wonder about that...cheers, Cliff

[@lawriealush-jaggs1473]

I am certainly be interested in plans. Only a hobby machinist but the challenge, the excitement, the women, the fame, fortune, the women and the glory and the women...... sorry, got a bit lost there, channeling Neddy Seagoon. Count me in for plans.

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your feedback. You Goons lover...Cliff

[@ka9dgx]

I'm a former IT guy who took a job making gears (no experience required!) in a job shop... and one of the machines I ended up running was a Lees-Bradner thread mill. I'm retired now, so I'm mostly here to just encourage you onwards. I agree strongly with your views about getting the angles of the thread and helix angles correctly. I also agree that generating the correct thread profile on a 3 axis CNC is highly unlikely due to the same issues. I'm thinking you have a form of a sine bar mechanism to generate the correct pitch, and I'm all for it. I'm curious as to the maximum travel. Cutting threads is a rare enough operation for the home and small shop that you'll see a lot of views like mine, but no viable economic need to drive a purchase. Clough42's "electronic leadscrew" is the most reliable way to run a lathe to get a weird pitch on demand.

[@VoidedWarranty]

Not sure about it being rare to cut threads in a small or home shop, I single point almost every part that needs threads on it. Way faster than waiting on a die to arrive, and I tend to cut a few single point passes to start a die anyway if im going to use one. Really hard to beat a lathe at thread cutting convenience once you get used to it

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your feedback. Cliff

[@lohikarhu734]

BTW, if there are some complex interactions that are done mechanically, perhaps you can find a 'partner' to use some electronic/electromechanical means of cutting parts count or complexity, without sacrificinng *significant* accuracy ... for instance, it's quite easym today, to get encoders from 600-1000 counts per revolution, and stepper motors with thousands ofnsteps per revolution ... it's just a thought.

[@lohikarhu734]

Saw your comments about electronics ...sure enough, one has to have spindle, good bearings, rigidity, before getting to the actual controls!

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your input here. Cliff

[@graemewhite5029]

I'm as intrigued by the mechanism as most people seem to be and you are to be commended on the design, but, from my point of view, I machine threads from around 4mm diameter up to 4 or 5 inches (hydraulic cylinders usually) I don't need "super accurate" threads and your machine wouldn't be physically capable of doing the diameters I need. However, you have got me wondering if incorporating a thread milling spindle to use on my lathes would provide any advantages ?

[@Threadexpress]

Hi. Yes, a thread milling attachment on a lathe has many applications. You should be able to search and find different designs. Cheers, Cliff

[@the_real_randall]

Your device appears to work similar to rifling jigs that use a sine bar to provide the variable pitch capabilities.

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your feedback. Cliff

[@rayp.454]

Sorry if this has been asked before, but I own a small shop and was wondering what the cost would be in USD with shipping. That is a major factor to me. I like the invention, although it seems rather massive. Have you considered a miniature version of this? Thanks Cliff.

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your feedback. It is too soon to consider manufacturing cost - too many variables at this stage. Yes, size is another variable. Cliff

[@weldmachine]

Cliff you're a really nice guy which in my experience isn't too difficult to find in a fairly typical Kiwi. For that reason alone I would love to see something good to come of all the work you have put into to building and designing the Thread Express. But ??? Being a little more honest about it's practicability I would personally find it difficult to find an end user. It's a little to do with the design as much as finding a genuine customer base. As a kit, for someone to build who has more time than money, I could see a small amount of interest. Commercially ???? I personally wouldn't spend too much time trying to find a commercial market for the Thread Express ?? ( but I'm sure you already know that by now ) Most machine shop based operators don't want to think too much about how something works. It either works fairly easily without too much effort or they're not interested. I talk more about the smaller shops that usually have a small customer base and just want to be involved in the smaller jobs than the shops who have multiple employees on reasonable wages that need to be paid. The Thread Express is bordering on trying to reinvent the wheel. It does work as it is intended. But, does it replace what is currently available ?? From a prospective customers point of view. WHY buy a Thread Express ?? Does it do something that I can't do currently ? IF you can answer this question you might have a starting point of how to sell the Thread Express. I feel you're possibly too personally involved with the Thread Express to see it's value to an end user ?? Just some insight to my thoughts about a fairly typical small machine shop who could be your end user ?? Less and less of these shops are in operation now. IF you can find 1. They are in most cases fairly tight with their budgets and prefer to waste time on a job than spending money to buy the right tool. Scaling up from this fairly typical operator. Someone who has 1 or 2 possibly 3 employees. The mindset is to gain and grow the business. Most already have CNC capabilities or they are seriously looking at getting into CNC. This I feel is most of the reason Why you're finding it difficult to find an end user. You only need to watch KZbin to see a guy in a garage with an okay setup that's producing parts on a budget CNC Machine and most of these guys have the mindset to follow the trend and get serious about CNC equipment beyond their current setup.

[@Threadexpress]

Kind words...and I value your thoughts...thanks for taking the time to give them. I am listening. Cheers, Cliff

[@balahmay]

Well I am totally intrigued with what goes on inside this thing. I want to see what level of skill and tooling is required to make one.

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your feedback. Cliff

[@colleenpierce9626]

This technology needs to be explored further. With proper tooling, can Acme nuts be produced? This is very interesting. If I had the time and money, of course I would build your system.

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your feedback. This unit and for example a Bridgeport, is light duty so small to medium pitch Acme would be fine, coarse if in bronze etc. Cheers, Cliff

[@machinists-shortcuts]

Do you think it would be more appealing if it was a complete unit. Having a larger base with a simple cutting spindle attached. The spindle could be tilted to the helix angle and the whole thing could sit horizontal on a bench.

[@Threadexpress]

Ha! Check out the original invention ThreadExpress 1.0 - it was a complete unit. Cheers, Cliff

[@machinists-shortcuts]

@@Threadexpress Thanks Cliff, will do.

[@andrewbishop7066]

Very nice I can see value in it but like all things it would come down to cost as a part time machinist could I justify the cost compared to cutting in the lathe or thread milling in the CNC but having said that very nice thing to have Thanks Andrew

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your feedback. Cliff

[@jasonhull5712]

I am interested but the cost is what’s holding me back. I’m expecting something this amazing is going to have to come with an amazing price as well. I am a small fish no doubt, but for the amount of threading that I do it’s difficult to justify a large investment for so few jobs/ customers. Add to that the fact that I have two lathes and a mill and taps and dies. It is an amazing machine. I still would like to pursue one. But cost is a big factor for me personally. That said I’m still interested.

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your feedback. Cliff

[@shawnkittle5406]

Man ide love to have one but so far ive not herd any mention of cost. Any idea wat u mite charge for a production model???

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your feedback. It is too soon to consider manufacturing cost - too many variables at this stage. Cliff

[@L98fiero]

I'm interested in the mechanism. I suspect it's using levers to adjust the pitch. With that said, I can think of only a few times in 40+ years where I'd have needed the device and now, as othes have said, the same can be done electronically, and the big thing is, likely for far less money. I think cost of manufacture will be where the biggest issue arises.

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your feedback. Cliff

[@marcvandenbogaard7286]

This would be a great addition for small production centers or maintenance departments, that don’t want or can’t invest in cnc. I think it’s a great product and can’t understand why there wouldn’t be a demand for it.

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your feedback. Cliff

[@merikkarman8518]

Amazing machine. I have purchased a bunch of your gear and would love to make one of these. I would be happy to collaborate and help you build and test v3 and have all the gear including 5 axis wire cutter. Let me know. Regards Merik

[@Threadexpress]

Hi Merik. Thanks for your support! Please send me an email when you have time to discuss this. Cheers, Cliff

[@xtnuser5338]

One might keep in mind that of 4100 views, only some very small percentage of them are actually machinist. I'm certainly not one, but I clicked on the other video and watched it with high interest simply because I've got a mind that finds mechanical stuff highly interesting.

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your feedback. Cheers, Cliff

[@machinewrangler4682]

I like the concept and its benefits over thread turning, Nice little mechanical movement inside. At a guess you are using a sine bar type arrangement. I’ll admit it’s a difficult task to make a z axis stage that doesn’t take up a lot of height/space. On one other note, with out trying to sound negative. Now you have a working mechanical prototype, have a crack at an electronic prototype, plenty of Electronic lead screw kits out there. The extra initial cost to use electronics is saved by simplifying the mechanism and reducing production time. Just some thoughts from a toolmaker. But I like what you’re doing.

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your thoughts, you may have missed the section in the video where I discuss a NC version. Cheers, Cliff

[@machinewrangler4682]

@@Threadexpress Hi Cliff cheers for your reply, yes I did note your discussion on an NC concept. Just the ELS interface is quick and simple to operate compared to an NC based interface. To be able to type in say any lead from 0.001 mmto 150 or more with the press of a few buttons is pretty appealing. Not only would one be able to cut threads but cut helix’s, even rotors for small progressive cavity pumps, (just thought of that one then) I’m sure the list goes on. Sorry I’ll stop waffling on now! Cheers, Andrew

[@nickp4793]

I'm impressed with the mechanism and am enjoying your videos. I personally think you should quit. I don't think you will sell a single one. (sorry I lost track, are you considering selling complete units or plans). I'm in RD myself as a mechanical engineer, and the time it takes to go from a working prototype to a production design is huge. You won't have any payback. It will all be a huge waste of time, if an overall profit is the goal. Legit machine shops won't be interested. They about all have VMC's. Hobby shops won't be interested. They might need this once per year, and they'd be better off using a lathe with single point cutting, since it's so infrequent of a need. They already have the lathe. Maybe some sort of specialized instrument maker would be interested, that needs high accuracy thread forms. But like you mentioned, they already use grinding setups with adjustable helix for threading. If you sell these complete, you'd have to sell them for at minimum 1000 USD to even make getting out of bed worth the effort. Probably higher than that even judging by your prototype. No hobbyist is going to pay that. If you sell the plans, you are going to have to design the whole thing for a hobbyist to be able to source, machine, and assemble all the parts accurately. That is harder than designing for mass production (commercially) because you don't know the tools and skills the hobbyist will have. Quit is my strong opinion.

[@Threadexpress]

Nick, you express my concerns well. You face me up to the issues. Good to hear it is not just me that is negative. Thanks for having the courage to be direct. Cheers, Cliff

[@ilpirata17]

If you do decide to sell the plans, i would buy them. I'd also add that I don't think youtube is doing a good job of promoting smaller channels, so I wonder if this is not reaching all who would be interested. I watched Robin Renzetti, Tom Lipton and others for years but only recently found your channel. Thank you by the way, learned a lot from your videos!

[@Threadexpress]

Yes I wonder that also...thanks, Cliff

[@VoidedWarranty]

Yes youtube is bad that way

[@peoplepower1272]

As some have already alluded to, there isn't anything here that would interest most machinists. Everyday thread cutting (on a wide range of different machines) is not a problem, despite your concerns about accuracy. Your device might make more sense as a thread grinding tool, where all-around accuracy must be higher. But even then, thread milling has severe length limitations, so it only works for the shorter stuff. I believe a manual lathe with a simple motorized spindle on the carriage can do everything your device does, but in a much smaller package.

[@Threadexpress]

Hi. Thanks for your direct criticisms, that is what this video and the comments are for, and you make some good points. First off, I agree that having a well-developed lathe thread milling attachment with helix angle adjustment, with a spindle turning attachment, is very useful. I have both ThreadExpress and a lathe thread milling attachment and I can answer some of those challenges, I often choose to use ThreadExpress over my lathe threadmilling set up for one of the following reasons: - Threadmilling on a lathe is difficult due to steady spindle turning difficulties. So, you also need some sort of geared down handwheel attachment to turn the spindle, as per ThreadExpress. - The set up on a lathe commits the lathe, (ties it up) but Threadexpress is on the table end and does not commit the mill. - Changing ratios on many lathes requires time consuming change gear replacements. EG between metric and inch. - Odd threads are not available on most lathes - Most lathes do not have the ability to index and mill hexagons, squares, grooves etc. Cliff

[@peoplepower1272]

@@Threadexpress Thanks for responding. In my thread cutting experience, I have not ever been forced to make gear changes, so that is not an issue for me. Also, since the lathe spindle is directly connected to the leadscrew, any speed variations are of no consequence and should not require any geared handwheel. Just use the slowest speed the lathe offers and that should be sufficient for most thread milling. Like most people, I find it challenging to run single point screw cutting jobs, so thread milling on the lathe is of great interest to me. I use thread milling often on my CNC mills with great results. A small milling spindle mounted on the compound (similar to a toolpost grinder) or even directly on a quick-change toolpost, would allow setting any helix angle and could be switched out relatively quickly. I would buy a device like that. In fact, a search for such a device brought me to your channel!

[@Threadexpress]

@@peoplepower1272 yes Well i can at least agree a lathe threadmilling attachment is useful... if you dont have a mill one! Cheers, Cliff

[@paulnibley]

I like your invention but I do mostly one-off projects and would seldom use it. Setup and takedown wouldn't be worth it for a single screw or nut. I have tapping tools for my CNC but I usually use my Phase II tapping jig because it's less trouble than the CNC unless I have a lot of holes. Good luck with your project!

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your feedback and encouragement! Cliff

[@Gkuljian]

I think it's genius. I am just a guy with a mill and a lathe. And I have to question just who are these 4000. Until you get more feedback I think you should continue on. There must be many who have not seen this who are in need of it.

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your feedback. Cheers, Cliff

[@johnthayjr4237]

What would be the price be on the mechanism ?

[@Threadexpress]

Usually cost depends on production quantity, which depends on demand, which depends on price...and so we go around and around. Cheers, Cliff

[@hersch_tool]

I think this thing looks really cool. Commenting before the reveal but I'm assuming that it's something similar to a specialized dividing head? Either way, very cool, super impressive that you've invented this, and I would probably be interested in building one on my channel, if you want to chat about it send me a message. I know darn well that the ability to accurately thread mill would be INCREDIBLY useful. EDIT: (Is it some variation of a Reeves drive?)

[@Threadexpress]

Hi - Thanks for reaching out. Hopefully I have succeeded in contacting you by email. If not feel free to contact me via my website or above. Cheers, Cliff

[@darkobul1]

To me it looks as cool device but its too big except maybe for bridgeport. If you ever get to do this maybe you should consider smaller version for smaller mills. I strughle to replicate my lathe thread for example as its large and sauch device would be great for large trhoat like lathe backplates etc.

[@darkobul1]

But it quite interesting that in dream was coming to you. Sometimes I am like that when I think about things.i get so excited.eureka moments.

[@Threadexpress]

Oh yes! A good point...large swing jobs. The dream...yes intriguing...maybe the design was never discivered...just skipped...until that dream? Cliff

[@johnirvine3346]

I think it would be amazing to have one, but it comes down to utility. Since I am just a hobbyist I usually have more time than money. So if something like this were $400-500 I would be interested. But I’m guessing this would be many thousands of dollars. I can’t allocate thousands of dollars to thread cutting when I can single point and spend larger sums on something like a surface grinder (my next purchase).

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your feedback. Cliff

[@murrayedington]

I suspect most viewers of your channel are amateurs like me. The need for male threads is fairly infrequent and when the need arises I will either use CNC lathe, CNC mill or die. If I ever needed to make multiple instances, I'd probably use a Coventry die head which is quick, accurate and repeatable. The cost and size/weight of a dedicated device would be difficult to justify against the benefits it offered in my case. As an engineer, I'm intrigued to learn what you have created here. I'm looking forward to the next episode! As for the helix angle error resulting from use of inserts, I doubt many of us here even understand thread tolerances and generally rely on "hand fitting", rather than specify meaningful GD&T style tolerances and then machining to them. The helix angle error results in a slight widening of the thread angle but TBH it's generally a small error in the scheme of things. It's just about possible you might be able to sell the design to a manufacturer but without a patent you'd be on a dodgy wicket. And even with an expensive patent, you'd have your work cut out trying to enforce it if you got it made in a low cost country.

[@Threadexpress]

Good points, Thanks for your feedback. Cliff

[@rufustoad1]

Cost Cost Cost. I would consider if the cost was low enough. I will way the cost of plans to the cost of you making it and the see what you have inside the box. Fairly good idea although CNC thread milling seems to be just as easy?

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your feedback. Cliff

[@sighpsycho]

Don't be disheartened by the views to comments ratio on your previous video. I had a video go viral (not this account), 600k views and 800 comments, or 750:1, your previous video was approx 86:1 which is quite good. Also the number of 'views' includes people who clicked away early, the number of people who watched to the end is likely much much smaller so your amount of comments shows excellent interest/response from the audience who watched the whole thing (me included). The key to making a promotional video for something (where the goal is gaining a wide audience to get as many eyes on the device as possible, which I think was the goal of the first ThreadExpress 2 video from 8 months ago) is to keep it extremely short, explain what it is and what makes it different within the first 30 seconds, keep the total length of the video under 5 minutes (many people wont even open the link for long videos), and edit the demos down to very short (eg 15 seconds) clips, and at the end let the audience know there's a longer form video with more info and demonstrations linked in the description. I know it sucks as an engineer to try and explain your achievement in three sentences when there's so much relevant detail etc (I fight this battle all the time myself) but only your existing fans will want to watch a 30 minute video about it whereas you're trying to reach the widest audience possible, one that hopefully includes deep-pocketed business people who expect an executive summary of everything. One of the skills that took me the longest to learn as an engineer is how to present information in a way that the idiots making decisions would be receptive to. As for the device itself: I'd love to make one, I'm super curious about how it works, and I likely can't afford one :)

[@Threadexpress]

Thank you for taking the time to explain that! It makes sense... I just keep forgetting to fully apply it. And thanks for the other feedback. Cheers, Cliff

[@lohikarhu734]

Looks like this does great work, and seems like you've poured a ton of inventiveness into it....i wonder if it would be amenable to a design where it could be produced in cnc, at least the majority of the parts. If you could nail that down, it might give you an idea of what kind of pricing you could manage in different quantities. Do not, absolutely, go to certain countries for production, as i personally have seen products stolen, and produced for the asian market, three or more times...during my days at a major mobile phone company, fhere were often 'look-alike' products on the market in that large country, before we had completed the approval processes ... never mind that the internals were crap, 'appearance', and 'status' were all that counted, but intellectual property theft occurred at shipping companies, and even in the customs offices.... Find ways to get costs down, try to get a better feel for markets... I wish you success in your venture!

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your feedback. If it is popular, it will be stolen at some stage. Cliff

[@user-zh3ln7zi5c]

I can alredy see a couple of problems that gadget can solv for me. W12 collet w a sawtooth thread would work as a dream. Also making od pitch like 1.2 mm. ( collet for my Deckel son D bit grinder). I think, it would fit nice on my Deckel FP 1 . Vould i buy it? I Dont know. Find som More problems it can solve, and i think you got you self a produkt to sell.

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your feedback. Cliff

[@amok42]

Hi, I would like to make one of these, but with my current obligations starting a project like this is at least a year away. This is why i didn't comment before. I suspect there are many unwilling to commit before understanding the device.

[@Threadexpress]

A good point, and thanks for the feedback. Cliff

[@VoidedWarranty]

with the demonstration at minute 18, I have to disagree. If the cutter is digging in behind the point where the 60 degree plane is, it does not have sufficient relief or is fed too fast or is too coarse of a pitoh vs the diameter for standard thread filling, in which case the high precision shops around here choose a different process such as the lathe. the deepest contact with a properly on center tool is at that center line. Additionally, if you apply the tool to it not aligned with the top down view of a thread form, you have to make a cutter that has an angle wider than 60 degrees to form a perfect 60 degrees in plane with the print. the nc argument falls flat if you consider the other capabilities you get for free with an nc device. Slotting, single point broaching, indexing, automatic multistart threads, constant feed rate. Also itdoes not need a ballscrew or a sliding quill, because its trivial to track the other movement axis on the mill and use that instead. I'd tap of| of the dro scale and have a simple nc rotary table track rotation accordingly if I needed to make such a device. Any of| the shelf dividing head, which has built in helix angle capability if thats important to you. But honestly I do this work on the lathe without runout grooves by threading away from the headstock. Simpler than anything I mentioned. Not sure why high tensile is a concern, I dont usually machine anything lower than 4140 and I basically never use a cheap common die for anything that is not a bolt, I single point anything that needs precision on the lathe.

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your feedback. Cliff

[@user-dz7nc2wi1b]

Can I buy one ?

[@Threadexpress]

Too early to say. - cheers, Cliff

[@markkrick8602]

I like the machine and I have an inkling of what's hidden beneath its mask. The dilemma I see is that it's an analog solution to an already solved digital problem. Yours may be superior in some aspects but hobbyists won't afford it. Pro's don't need it.

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your feedback. Fair points, I think small shop pros and advanced hobbyists will be the market. Cheers, Cliff

[@markkrick8602]

Fair enough best of luck! I still really like it😊​@@Threadexpress

[@craigromero5921]

when can we purchase one ?lol

[@Threadexpress]

You can have one now for 20K. Cheers, Cliff

[@tigordie2916]

I feel like you need to speak with someone like titan over at titan CNC. He would have a better idea of its place if any in the machining industry. I feel like KZbin is full of hobbyists and not the people who would actually use it on a daily basis. It’s awesome to have a niche product but it’s very difficult to reach the specific people that would benefit from it. It needs the proper eyes if that makes sense. I think you have something and you wouldn’t have to sell very many to make it a success. I’m dealing with something similar I have a very niche product and it’s very difficult to get to the right people but once you do Yahtzee!

[@VoidedWarranty]

Or adam the machinist, or keith fenner, or tom from ox tools, all cut threads daily and have forgotten more than I will ever know., regarding the accuracy, tom works in some high precision lab I think, he's a great mix of practicallity and precision

[@Threadexpress]

Good points...thanks guys. Cliff

[@gorak9000]

I get that there's an error in a threadmill in a VMC because the spindle and the thread are co-axial and not taking into account the helix angle, but if you're using a small diameter threadmill, how much is that error? 1%? 5%? Obviously if the error was unacceptable in most cases, people wouldn't do single point thread milling in a VMC, yet it's done all day every day, and meets customer specs and tests. I am curious to see how the mechanism in your device works. I don't think it will ever "takeover the world", but in specialty applications where the utmost precision is important, it could be just the thing!

[@Threadexpress]

Hi - Thanks for your comments. I agree, if you are using a small diameter threadmill on a large diameter fine pitch thread, the error will likely be minor. It is when you are cutting a small diameter coarse thread or using a larger diameter cutter, the error produces a sometimes unknown out of spec issue. But it is in shops that do not have CNC at all, that I think ThreadExpress will be the most useful. Cliff

[@robertfontaine3650]

Not quite certain who the target market is.

[@Threadexpress]

Exactly! Cheers, Cliff

[@aguycalledlucas]

I hope it doesn’t require accurate thread making to build one of these, lol.

[@Threadexpress]

I know! How do we get started! Thanks for your feedback. Cliff

[@kuchervano]

Hello. Rarely comment, so here goes. I believe you answered your own question about the percieved lack of interest and engagement. Small shops cant and wont compete with companies making precision screws for lets say micrometers. Even in industry the bottom line has to be and is 'good enough'. I wont be paid more if I turn an ordered 2a thread to 3a spec. Your other potential customer base is hobbyists and tinkerers, and their pockets arent overflowing with money to burn either. If i am single employee in a small shop with lone machine but its a tooled up 9 axis cnc cutter grinder, am i still a small shop that would start doing better by purchasing your device? I also wish to contest a few claims youve made in light of small shop setting. No machinist ever made a precision screw with a die. You can threadmill on the lathe with a dremel in toolpost with helix angle correction. One can use a self opening thread chaser die head, or a thread rolling/whirling process. There are several diy self retracting threading tool vidjeos on here where no relief cut is needed. And if you go slow enough (which you will turning large diam threads) after five parts operator will be able to retract tool and disengage halfnut. It may be unfortunate that your invention is late to the mechanical metalworking party, Yet the mechanism could find use in some other application still. I do applaud your dedication and commitment to see the project thru this far. Thanks for sharing

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your feedback. Cheers, Cliff

[@ianloy1854]

Would I like one build one - yes. I am a hobby machinist so the need is more about it being a great idea, with utility, rather than a dying need. Lets face it many hobbyists make tools to make tools to.... make tools All of your comments re geometric inaccuracies are spot on. Many people assume that carbide cutters cut perfectly due to their form accuracy. Their form accuracy is AWESOME but as you identify in numbers of situation accurate outcomes need more than tool form accuracy. I am a machinist (and an engineer as it happens) and threading is always "fun" on a lathe. Getting good surface finishes relies on appropriate surface speeds, which are relatively high for carbide, particularly on small diameters, and so the carriage speed also becomes high. For reasonably accurate and quick thread cutting a capstan lathe is the better alternative, to a lathe, as there you can use a die head kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqunhH6lesStoMk No end support, longer thread form helping to maintain accuracy, easily adjustable to get appropriate thread sizing. You bring up the issues with a long nut and the binding that can occur - quite true. However, the need for a long nut is not for tightening etc. the forces on a thread mean that almost 100% of the load is carried by the first 2 full thread turns. A long nut may be desired for other reasons - system dampening, "nut" attachment location accuracy (think ball screw nuts) so the need is unusual. So why do I think it is a good idea and would be adopted in many shops As others have said you can make a computer controlled version, while all the components are easy to source the issue is the software to drive those components. That is a issue that I personally have no idea how to solve so perhaps technically superior - certainly more modern looking - but can you actually do it. There are a large number of small jobbing shops and Hydraulic Hands shows how effective they can be with old equipment. Is the outcome of the same quality created elsewhere it depends but in general no. Their quality control on heat treatment and metal constituents (casting) etc are near zero, and the poor bearings will have a hard life from day one. BUT they provide a service that is valuable for their clients and meets their clients needs. Going a step up from HH you will get into shops where TH2.2+ will more likely make an impression. Simple tooling, simple and UNDERSTANDABLE process. But not a market anyone really looks to supporting - unless what has "always" been produced works. For these shops being able to make their own nut and bolts etc would be great as they are then are not bound as fully to the supply network. Military would be another idea - the field support engineering units that have machine shops. Again the idea of getting something to work but not being perfect is better if there are shells coming at you. Think Ukraine or Russia at the moment - if their whatever needs a threaded widget but they don't have one what would they give for one of these? Again perhaps not US army (parts can be flown easily) - but US navy would want one on any of their vessels that have a machine shop as a gap filler. Assuming you mechanism does not require a closed throat, that is it could be built where parts could pass through it allowing long parts to be machined the utility further increases. Mounting it horizontally on a milling machine would allow the easier creation of things like spiral cutters wood thicknessers or indeed milling cutters. You can get mills with tables that allow lead angle allowance - and so you can use the semi-universal dividing head. But if you don't have that - like 90+% of mills then you can't do this. Make one thicknesser arbor and you would have about paid off the parts cost of the unit. You have a small audience and the reasons why they are following you will be highly varied. In NZ you have the idea of extremely small markets - even if you include the island to the west. But as you have shown you can reach higher volume markets with a nitch product that meets a need. Your position sensor is already operating in a known type of tool environment and so the sale can occur easily simply as people realise that (limited) crashing it ANYWHERE will not damage it. Do that once on another product and yours looks like a solution to a real known problem. TH2.2 is creating its own market and so getting it seen would need to happen to really see the scale of the market. Hemmingway kits has done this recently by supplying kits for KZbinrs to build and so generate interest and awareness of them and their offer. The amount of time it takes to make something is less important that the joy and perhaps utility at the end. The small models that have been made soak up untold hours but the process was the enjoyment. Joe Pie might be a good fit - loves making things - he loves the theoretical part of machining - loves single point turning without a support (whoops) and he has a lot of subscribers. A version 2.3 drawings (rough but better than hand sketchers) that enable the final result to be figured out could be a way to find a real voice on what the demand for plans would be. Anyway I have no reached my limit of writing my TLDR content. As you do I believe their is a market. It is just a difficult one to reach. All the best

[@Threadexpress]

Thank you for taking the time to give such detailed feedback. I need to read this again tomorrow. Cheers, Cliff

[@scorpioo7350]

The device is tall and will not fit most people who have small milling machines

[@Threadexpress]

Have a look at the last video - it does not sit on the mill table. Cliff

[@lawmate]

I really like your idea, but if you want to start a business from it, the technical brilliance is irrelevant. What's important is that the value you charge for it is worth the value it brings to the customer. Be realistic about the market size. I don't know percentages but the vast majority of machined manufacturing is done on modern cnc machines that dont have an issue with thread milling. My low range £50k hurco can thread mill M1.2 threads all day with no problems. So your market is a minority of places that don't have cnc equipment and still have a need for high precision threads. I can imagine lots of fabrication places with manual only machines that need to add threads but don't need better precision than taps and dies. In terms of pricing, you should do some costings. Cost out 1, 10, 100 and 1000. If you want to sub contract the manufacturing, just contact a local company and ask for quotes for the different quantities. As a sub contractor myself, i get asked for price breaks like this all the time. Also, going back to the first point, you should have a sense of what it is worth. If your costing says it needs to sell for £25k but you feel people will pay aroubd £5k, you need to re-engineer it to reduce the costs. Remember no one pays for technical brilliance, they pay to have problems solved

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your feedback, appreciated, Cliff

[@lawmate]

@@Threadexpress Very impressed with your tenacity to keep iterating it though

[@JohnThawley]

4100 views, 45 comments and maybe 5 serious inquiries… I can appreciate your analytical approach to making sense of those numbers. But I have my doubts that KZbin viewers are a quality market sample. Just guessing, but my gut tells me very few of your potential market are regular machine video viewers. Maybe there’s a viable market for your product, maybe not. But I’d hate to see you lose hope and give up with an assumption this audience can provide a good representative sample. Small shop owners, serious model engineers/hobbyists, prototyping and restoration specialists seem more likely markets than KZbin viewers. Your “customers” shouldn’t need a deep education to understand its value. They should be knowledgeable and experienced enough to see it almost immediately. (I’m not one of them, BTW. I just aspire to be. 😀)

[@Threadexpress]

Hi John. Thanks for your thoughts. I tend to agree that most of the viewers are not from the target buyers' market. This video had provoked a much better response though, so it is reaching some of them this time around. Cheers, Cliff

[@aldoblasigh7533]

Coventry dies

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your feedback. Cliff

[@ericpatterson3887]

The reasons why you are not getting much interest at the moment are not simple, and they are varied. First of all you say you have x amount of views. Of those viewers, more than likely a large percentage of them are not machinists, but just watched the video because it is interesting, like myself. A KZbin video on a relatively small channel can not substitute for advertising. Oh, and also some of those x amount of views might also be repeat views from the same person. What you need to do is get a patent lawyer who can help present your idea to investors. Venture capitalist's. Make the patent drawings... Etc. There are many good ideas, and products that never make it to market because of the hassle that it takes to bring a product to market. Even if you only wanted to sell a few, someone will come along, copy your idea, and go through the hassle and bring your idea to market, and profit from it, while you get nothing. The real market for your design is eastern Europe, Africa, South America, budding economies that are chock full of entrepreneurs that would love to have your product. This is the kind of product that people in Vietnam would go ape about. India, Russia, Latvia, etc, etc.... People in the US are not the best market for your product. Too many other ways to get bolts done, too many companies ready to supply you bolts cheap. It's a culture thing. Heck, even Canada would probably be a good market for this product, just not the US. You can sell some in the US, but it is not the prime market. The fact that you say someone was spying on you, just backs up some of what I am saying. Good luck brother, it's a great product, and it could make you rich. Maybe not right away, but eventually you would be. You can try Invent Help, or other services to help you bring it to market, but I would be careful how you do it. Lots of people would love to steal your idea for themselves. They are already trying to figure it out. You could forgo the patent and just try to be the first to market with the best version and get brand recognition and build on that and hope for the best, but that's a gamble.

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your feedback. Points noted and appreciated. Cliff

[@spencebarton2947]

Perhaps you didn't get a good response because you didn't reach the audience that would actually be interested. By the way you would be better served to not psychoanalyze your viewers and pretend you know that they just aren't interested in new things. It's insulting. You are probably a mechanical genius but you can't know whats going on in other peoples minds and dismiss them as not curious just because you didn't get the response you wanted. You also can't expect people to commit to build one until they know what goes on inside and whether it fits their skills. Of course they're going to hold back until you show what has to be made in the home shop. So, I'm guessing you won't get even as good a response to this video as you had to the last video. Do you want to build a business or do you want to do cute KZbin video reveal with lots of suspense. You sound like you want to do business but you waste peoples time on the cutesy suspenseful reveal. Since 99.99% of all threads are just used to fasten two things together you have to expect this to be of interest only to a few. And those few might find an Acme thread to be more useful than a UNC or ISO thread profile. How do the cutting forces build with an ACME form cutter? Can you still cut without some support for the end? How about left handed threads? You also need to give SOME idea of cost. How much would plans cost? You can't market a product without some idea of price. So far the only idea you've given is when you offer custom completed units to "collectors". All you said was it was gonna cost a lot to make them in low volume. Ok then. I surely want to commit to buying something, that I won't use just, for the joy of owning it - not knowing how much I would have to spend, only that it's gonna be expensive. So is it $500, $5000 or $15,000. Use aussie dollars or US dollars or euros or pounds, but give some idea of the price range at different production quantities. And by the way CNC mills don't need a rotary geared device to thread mill. So no bevel gears involved in CNC thread cutting.

[@Threadexpress]

Thanks for your challenging criticisms and questions, you are direct! (But you didn't like my directness)? Yes, I was aware when I made those comments I was on shaky ground. But it got a response! (as you have). I hear your good challenging questions, I will re-read them, and will think about them. I may end up by agreeing with you on some of them! Cheers, Cliff

[@spencebarton2947]

@@Threadexpress I don't care if you are direct. I just think being condescending towards those you're trying to convince is counter productive.

[@Threadexpress]

@@spencebarton2947 OK, I take your point. Cliff