Threading Jig for Woodturners - Make or Buy?

I explain the pros and cons of making vs buying a threading jig with lots of examples.
You can download an article I wrote for the April 2013 issue of American Woodturner on making a threading jig and additional material here:
www.mikepeacewo...
Threading Jig Vendors:
hopewoodturning...
www.chefwarekit...
bestwoodtools.s...

[@RickTurnsWoodturning]

That homemade threading jig is awesome, Mike! I would never pay the big bucks for a commercial threading jig...this one looks great.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

+RickTurns It is all in how much you will use it and what you value. I probably spent close to a $100 ln parts.

[@JimmiePorterAtStuartArts]

I found this video to contain great wisdom as I embark into the sea of thread chasing...Thanks Mike!

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

It is a fun journey.

[@drgruber57]

Very helpful! Thanks. I first saw your video with the chefware jig and since I own a metal lathe, thought that I might try to make one, rather than spend $400, which really don’t have now. But this helped me step back (knowing Murphy’s laws) and decide to go with hand chasing, at least for the time being. I will check out Sam’s videos. I may even try grinding my own thread chasers, since I bought some cheap turning tools from Harbor freight for $20.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Good choice. Hand chasing is very fullfilling.

[@tybo759]

Good info Mike. I recently watched Sam Angelo's video of him using the hand thread chasers and am considering buying a set. Thanks for showing the other options and the recommendations.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Sam has a ton of threading videos. Watch 'em all before you get your thread chasers and then again atterwards.

[@tybo759]

Ok. Is there something else I need to see from his videos?

[@TheSafecrkr1]

Tybo I bought a set of Sorby hand thread chasers several years ago. It left too much to "holding your mouth just right" for me. Good luck. I'm going to sell my set as soon as I can find it in my cluttered shop.

[@MikeWaldt]

A very in depth and informative video Mike. Take care Mike

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Thanks, Mike.

[@KE4YAL]

Great video thanks for all the fantastic tips you give us

[@TheSafecrkr1]

Mike, I bought a Simon Hope jig a year or so ago. I got SO frustrated with it that I walked out of my shop, slammed the door& haven't been in there since. No wood working, no casting & no turning for over a year. I bought it through Simon's website & delivered to a person in Tampa, Florida. My education on how to use the tool was 15 min. on the tailgate of his pick up truck. My wife is probably right, I'm easy.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

That is not good. 😦 I have seen the jig and it looks like a good one. Like any tool it does take a bit of practice. Have you watched his demo video? What kind of problems were you having? Maybe you need to find someone to provide some instruction? I am guessing you must have other hobbies if you can walk away from woodturning that easily.

[@rroe5718]

Mike, good video and great idea on this threading unit. I have made several threading units on the same principle. I always buy "Machine" threaded rod since it's ten times more accurate than the rolled threaded rod that hardwares and Home Depot's sell. No slop in this stuff and you can also buy threaded adapters for each in 16 and 10 TPI. Would be easy to change yours out and I believe you would see a big difference. Thanks for the video......some great ideas.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Where did you source the machined threaded rod? Clearly the course threaded rod did not work well for me. I did source the threaded adapters from PSI with no problem.

[@rroe5718]

@@MikePeaceWoodturning Hi Mike, not sure where your located, but most industrial supply houses have this in stock. You want to make sure it's "Black Oxide" and it's machine threaded and not rolled. McMaster Carr carries this in 3/4"-10 tpi and 3/4" - 16 tpi: www.mcmaster.com/threaded-rods I would try first to see if there's any type of supply house in your area, that way you can see what your getting. If none in area, call McMaster Carr first and give them a description of what you want and the part number that's on the link I've attached. They should be able to help you. Also better pricing if you can get it locally......shipping is a killer now days. Best of luck......

[@BeyondF1]

Very interesting talk. Good info. I've made one of these jigs so was very interested to hear that you had similar challenges, particularly slop. My solution was to use nylock nuts. My lead screw is 1" x 8tpi to match my chuck so rather course, had not considered using a spindle adapter so that possibility was good to know. Also the collet and drawbar to hold the cutter. Thanks for sharing.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

I think it is hard to understand how hard it is to make one that works acceptably well until you actually deal with the challenges like you did.

[@markh5889]

Love to see a video on the threading jig in use. Thanks

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

I have a couple of other videos on my channel on threading jigs. I doubt if I will every use my shop made jig again. It just does not work as well as a commercial jig.

[@erc7278]

Good morning, nice jig. Could you tell me the name of the cutter used in the router and which website to find it on? Thank you for sharing your knowledge..👍🏾👍🏾

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

amzn.to/3Zd8V4q

[@johnfithian-franks8276]

Great video and thanks for the links to the articles, I have downloaded them and will soon be trying to make your tool. You said in your video that if we were interested in seeing a video on using the tool, to let you know in these comments. I for one would love to see how the threads are made and it would be very helpful.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Thanks for the feedback, John. Until I get around to making some videos on hand thread chasing, check out the playlist on wyomingwoodturners channel. They are excellent 1 kzbin.info/aero/PLL5-IWEcq6B9UA1YSW19pZGTanviEKNTy

[@DerekCadmus]

Very interested to see a follow-up video demonstrating use of the system. Are you expecting to be in KC later this month?

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

+Derek Cadmus I am not going to KC. No plans to demo the jig. Remember, I bought a commercial jig because of the jig shortcomings.

[@TheSafecrkr1]

I did enjoy your video. I have "Hope" that I'll have more luck later. Your video helped.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

I have found that the more you turn, the luckier you get. Just have fun and don't beat yourself up when things do not go as planned.

[@leksey7870]

Interesting technology. Great home made fixture!

[@edgarsims1451]

Thanks, Mike I really appreciate your videos. which jig did you find the best and easiest to use? Which jig do you find the best for small to medium size boxes? Do you ever give individual instruction? Thanks, Ed

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

All jigs have their pros and cons and all will do small to medium boxes. Much bigger than say 3" in diameter an wood movement can cause problems with wooden threads. Yes, I do give individual lessons. Info is available on my website here mikepeacewoodturning.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_18.html

[@johnnyspropshop]

Mike nice video, for hand chasing what brand tools do you use?

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Sorby is about all you can find. I have the 20, 16, and 10's. One set I bought used. I think Crown makes a set but there just isn't enough demand for someone to carry who already carrys Sorby.

[@johnnyspropshop]

Thanks Mike for the quick response putting on my CHRISTmas list early. Thanks for sharing as always, God bless.

[@rgoodleaf]

Hi Mike, great video. I do have a question for you. How do you align the lead screw with the cutter? Do they have to be centered on one another, or can the lead screw be slightly higher/lower than the cutter?

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

You want to cut on dead center.

[@alanmullock381]

Thanks for posting this Mike,great explanation as always😆😆

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

I appreciate it , Alan.

[@soltisolti]

Thanks Mike, very informative

[@michaellebo5257]

How do you determine the size of the lid threads and the box threads, to get them to mesh properly? I’m new to the threading and I made your unit, however my lid threads seam to be two small and the lid does not thread properly, ant suggestions? Thanks Mike

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Measure the female recess and make the male tenon a bit larger. Perhaps .075" for 16 tpi.

[@michaellebo5257]

Is that what you use the dial you made for?

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

I have an article on my website on using a threading jig. www.mikepeacewoodturning.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Adding-Pizzaz-w-Threading-Jig-MW-1214-art.pdf

[@donalddobbs6962]

Where do you find the cuter

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Bestwoods or chefwarekits.com

[@ChurchClown7]

Thanks Mike.

[@carltonhunt8088]

thank you for this video mike. if you sell plans for this jig I would love to buy a set. just let me know how to pay you for them. and again thank you for your videos they are a big help. God bless!!!!

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Thanks for your support. No plans are available beyond the article and supplemental spreadsheets on my website with vendors and part numbers although that is getting a bit dated.

[@tommyschutz9008]

Where do I get the cutter?

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Chefwarekits.com, mscdirect, Bestwoodtools.com

[@oswaldomutis8289]

Mis respetos maestro

[@lewisdye1002]

A better quality threaded rod is to buy a piece of ACME thread rod. The threads are well machined and available

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Clearly acme threads are stronger. I had never heard of an Acme thread when I made this jig. The goal was to make one from off the shelf parts that did not require machining. How do you put a face piece on an acme rod that will take a chuck or chuck adapater without machining or metal lathe work?