Threading Jig or Hand Thread Chasing?

I compare cutting wood threads with a Threading Jig with hand thread chasing on a wood lathe. Either way to cut wood threads on the lathe can kick your box, urn or hollow form up a notch.
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[@billsutherland2128]

It’s amazing what I’ve learned about wood turning in the past month by watching your videos. Please give us more on thread chasing and other topics. Thank you for becoming a teacher.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

You got it!

[@stephenmandy5101]

Thanks, It was interesting to learn about threading. Very informative and enjoyable video.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Glad you enjoyed it! Get some 16tpi chasers and give it a try.

[@caferocket]

Let's see more hand threads made Mike! Very cool!

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Ok! Thanks for the feedback.

[@TimRobertsonWoodturning]

Thanks for another great video. Tips are always helpful.

[@lv_woodturner3899]

Good video. I have machined a lot of threaded items on my metal lathe. This taught me to pay attention to the thread depth. Once the thread has reached what machinist call the "maximum V depth", additional cuts will reduce the diameter of the work. It looks like hand chasing is difficult to control the thread depth, which may be why folks do not get good fitting threads. I made my own threading jig which I demonstrated at my local turning club last year. I use the lead screw design with the 60 deg double angle cutter in the headstock. I threaded the lead screw into a piece of aluminium bar which ran true for me. The total cost of the materials was about $50. The cutter was the most expensive item. I run my cutter much slower than you. I control the depth of cut with a pin and some holes I drilled on the milling machine at precise increments. I then use feeler gauges with the pin in a hole for small depth increments to get a good thread fit. Even a coarse thread like 10 tpi has max V depth of 0.0866in. The 16 tpi thread is only 0.0541in. I demonstrated using normal wood species in our shops. I get decent cuts on the first pass, but as the sharpness of the "V" increases, the wood tears, so a lot of time in the demonstration was showing fixing the tearout with CA glue or epoxy. Dave.

[@ToolMetrix]

This was extremely educational. Great presentation, Mike. Cheers, Paul

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Thanks Paul. I love hand thread chasing. Just need to find some time to get back at it.

[@cathyjanehale]

I’ve enjoyed everything you’ve done! I’m not ready for this process yet but will be watching it as I progress in my skills. It’s definitely on my bucket list to learn! Thank you for the great videos!

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Threads marvel folks. Safe turning my friend.

[@donaldtrabeauxjr5323]

Thanks for your tips and knowledge and craftsmanship Mr. Mike , Just wanted you to know that I took the plunge and bought a Record power SC3 chuck 1”x8 TPI 50 mm jaw package. So now I can start doing more projects.

[@rubberchuckyproducts8151]

Great unbiased info Mike. Thanks for giving an honest opinion - very informative.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Thanks for the feedback.

[@bobbuonfiglio6705]

Thanks Mike, good information. I am hand chasing and still in practice mode. I would enjoy more videos on this subject.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Ok, meanwhile watch the Wyoming Woodturner.

[@dan89592]

Thanks for making this video. A jig is going to be out of my price range for the frequency that I would use it, so these videos showing both methods are very helpful. Really appreciate it.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Good luck with your hand thread chasing. It can be rewarding.

[@dan89592]

@@MikePeaceWoodturning Unfortunately I'm still on a mini lathe, although I'm expecting to upgrade within the next several months. Hand chasing is one of the things I'm looking forward to. 😀. Thanks again for taking the time to produce this!

[@stevenhansen8641]

Good video Mike Thanks again for the time and effort

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

I appreciate your support.

[@alanmullock381]

Just starting out with hand thread chasing Mike,fascinating skill to learn.👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Very rewarding when the wood cooperates!

[@stephencorkery5351]

Thanks Mike , very informative video

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Thanks, Stephen.

[@glencrandall7051]

I too would like a good tutorial on hand thread chasing. All of the videos I have seen make it look like black magic :-). If possible it would be very good to show the action at a very slow speed so that the action of the tool can be seen. And thanks for the tip about Sam Angelo's videos. I watch most of his stuff but have missed those on thread chasing. I always watch your stuff. Thanks for sharing.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Slow motion, ummm. I will have to see how I can do that. I think I need to shoot more frames per second. Don't know if that is possible but I will play with it.

[@keawoodturningstudiohawaii1183]

Great video Mike!

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Thanks, Emiliano! Can't wait to thread that boxwood. I plan to rough it out this week and let it dry.

[@jeffwalters3735]

Great video Mike. I just started hand thread chasing and really do not find it difficult. Maybe that’s because I’ve watched all of Sam’s videos. I wish I could afford a jig but as a hobbyist, I don’t think the boss will go for it. 😀

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

I think is less challenging then it looks. But beyond the capability of many.

[@bertdelisle393]

Great topic Mike, over the last few years I tried hand threading with limited success, so I watched your jig build and tried that, however the accuracy / run out presented a challenge to be consistent. So last year I succumbed to the urge to get a Chefware Jig, I love it. Accurate repeatable and a very logical learning curve. Some quirks for sure but I now can confidently make threads in large or small boxes and urns. I have made needle cases with 3/4" internal thread( that because the cutter is 3/4) and my largest urn has opening of About 6 1/2" diameter. More recently I have been doing gap thread boxes, thread normally and then use spin index to remove portions of threads to end up with a quarter turn latch. I am too old to get good at hand threading, the jig still requires some skill and the consistency in my opinion was worth the investment. I make picture frames with threaded retainers, these work great for the fibre arts folks who needed a way to display embroidery work, no metal clips required and easy to adjust for different thicknesses of display piece. Jigs may appear pricey however for me it's a one time purchase for a tool that works, and I'm ok with that. The one thing of note is with the jig I made a ships wheel ring to clamp on the chuck to provide good control of the work when cutting external threads ( climbing action of cutter,) on large diameter work pieces.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Thanks for sharing. A tool that works and you use is worth the money. Otherwise a threading jig for folks to make a couple of boxes is an expensive toy.

[@suzetteedwards7956]

70? Dang, wood turning must keep you young. Thanks for the tips. I'll check out Sam's site.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Thanks. I hope so!

[@danhealy7341]

Thank you Mike. I am considering making a threading jig. I’ve acquired all the parts (I hope) and will start putting it together soon. Thanks again for another informative video.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Good luck with it. It is not easy. Mounting a chuck adapter on the leadscrew so there is no runout is a challenge unless you are a machinist.

[@danhealy7341]

I will give it a try. If it does not work out I will consider buying a jig or doing it by hand. Most of the parts I got for free so I have only a small investment and I do not mind the time it will take. I am addicted to tinkering.

[@Qwonk]

Nice one dad ❤️

[@mikefricker3603]

Hi Mike. Interesting video. Alan Batty did a really good video on hand chasing. Sam’s also good. Quite a lot of resource available but more always appreciated. Regards, Mike

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Yes, I have watched Alan's and Sam's multiple times. After those, the quality videos on threading drop off dramatically.

[@davidmorgan7522]

Thanks Mike! I prefer to chase threads by hand, the end result is more satisfying in my mind. I guess you could say I have an unfair advantage though ..... Sam Angelo and I are in the same Club and he lives close enough to drive up and pick his brain! I enjoy and learn from your videos, keep em coming! Take care, Dave

[@glencrandall7051]

I envy you. I would love to be close enough to be able know Sam personally.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Same here!

[@billy19461]

Great video! I love your videos and always watch and learn. I have watched Sam and love his videos. I have got you by two years but have been turning only two years now.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Thanks. It is a lovely journey. It is more about attitude then age, I think.

[@billy19461]

I think that you are right. I don't have any high quality tools just harbour freight and a harbour freight lathe in my garage. I did splurge and buy a slow speed grinder. Most of my wood is Bradford pear but it all has worm holes. Fun to turn and interesting to look at.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Do you store your Bradford pear outside on the ground? I rarely see any worm holes even after a log has set a while outside. I have kept it in log form as long as a year before cutting into blanks.

[@billy19461]

All of the Bradford pear I get is what has been blown down and it all has worm holes. A man brought me some and it has got 1/4" tunnels in it.

[@GeraldJensen]

Good video, Mike! You are right on the cost of wood that will take threads ... I do most of my hand-chasing in Corian, making inserts that are glued in to turned pieces.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

I used it on one urn and will probably use again but it just does not feel the same as using wood. 😦

[@GeraldJensen]

@@MikePeaceWoodturning I have wondered how domestic woods that are stabilized in a vacuum chamber would work with hand thread chasers. I know you have done some stabilization ... what do you think?

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Sycamore did not do well. I think maple will work. Dogwood, osage orange and Bradford pear generally do ok at 16tpi without stabilizing.

[@GeraldJensen]

@@MikePeaceWoodturning Thanks for getting back to me ... guess I need to put a vacuum chamber on my wish list. I'll have to go back and review the video you did sometime ago on your home-brew vacuum setup!

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Just make sure your lid is thich enough. the 3/8 or so thick acrylic I used is getting spider cracks. I need to replace it with thicker or possibly a plywood with a smaller porthole of the 3/8 that can withstand the pressure.

[@diydarkmatter]

reat video mike never would have guessed you were 70 years young buddy . you look alot younger for sure . i watch all your videos so it dont matter to me what you put up . i do like your teaching videos even if its not what im doing . i learn something maybe and its always a good time . i will learn to thread at some point threaded boxes are always better then unthreaded in my mind any way . dont know about no fancy jigs but i would like to learn to hand thread . maybe someday i have other things to learn first .

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Thanks!. I plan to do some hand thread chasing videos in the future.

[@diydarkmatter]

@@MikePeaceWoodturning ill be looking forward to them for sure

[@charliesaul4638]

Thank you Mike.I really enjoy your videos and learn a lot. It looks like you have put a negative rake on your chasers. I have done a bit of chasing and domestic wood threads can get a bit catchy and chattery, even using CA glue. But before I modify a brand new Sorby 10 tpi, please tell me if the negative rake is likely to improve the threads. Thank you.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

It is a good question and I do not know a definitive answer. I believe it will cut better but may make it a bit more difficult to hone than the original flat top.

[@charliesaul4638]

@@MikePeaceWoodturning Thank you Mike. Okay, I will try as is. I noticed Crown may come with a slight bevel and the new Mahoney/Carter and Son chaser has a 10 degree bevel. Will the nuances ever end?

[@jimcurnow4538]

Hey Mike, Jim in Stagecoach, Nevada. Can you do a more in depth video on the Chefware Kits Threading Jig. I have one and have never really got it to work properly. Thanks and keep up the videos

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

I have done several other videos on threading with a jig. Check out the playlist I just created on threading jig and the two videos on turning an acorn box and see if they helpl.

[@adkpiper]

You mentioned retailers who sell hand chasing tools in the $70 range. Any chance you've got a link?

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

I checked and the prices have gone up and some stores do not carry Robert Sorby thread chasers. You can find on Amazon. amzn.to/3Di3c26 You can get Crown chasers from Hartville Tools. Here is one www.packardwoodworks.com/105079.html

[@adkpiper]

@@MikePeaceWoodturning thank you!

[@skipkmitch9039]

My concern is getting the dimensions right. You can cut threads but if the dimensions aren’t exactly right you don’t have a finished product that works?

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

True

[@lynbren]

Another youtuber cuts threads making a deep reach clamp. He said he eliminated tearout by soaking the pieces for 24 hrs in mineral oil. Might give it a try. I like the hand chased myself but certainly won't be able to afford expensive imports

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Worth a try. Let me know how it works out.

[@DanielMoerman]

Interesting! I’ve tried it several times with zero results. I think the problem has been wood. My threads always seem to crumble. And a $300+++ jig ... I don’t think so. So, maybe some of that uranium enriched wood would be the thing to try......l

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Yes, try quality wood to learn and then you may have good luck with pear, dogwood, holly and osage orange.

[@willemkossen]

well, that's just excellent timing. I'm just considering getting me a set of thread chasers and was wondering if that would work with my lathe. Min speed of 500rpm, that's nog going to be easy to learn, especially on the coarser threads. so i need to figure out a way to slow my lathe first. the idea of making my own does appeal to me though. so to just practice, i might.

[@DKWalser]

On larger lathes, some turners used to install a lever that lifted the motor. To operate the lever, you stepped on a pedal. In essence, it was a 'clutch' that allowed the belt to slip -- a little or a lot, creating a variable speed lathe. You might be able to do something similar with yours. Except, you'd just need the 'pedal' to stay in one position. So, I'd think it would be easier to rig. Good luck!

[@willemkossen]

I doubt that would work in mine as it has a speedcontrol on the pully system itself. I was thinking about some electronic speedcontrol circuit on the motor. These things tend to take the torque away, but i think i dont need that much torque for sanding and thread chasing, so that would not be an issue.

[@chriswalters1014]

Could i do it when the lowest speed on my lathe is 750?

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

No as Hand thread chasing needs to be around 250 to 350 RPM. 2500 or faster for a jig.

[@jerryhillis]

Hey Mike, I see you have done some videos on the Chefwarekits threading jig in the past. Most are from several years ago and it seems the jig has gone through multiple iterations. I am having a heck of a time with it. As I thread, it barely scratches the surface on one side and cuts down to the quick on the other side. I have squared everything and I followed the setup instructions to a T. The jig itself turns true, there is no warping or anything. My workpiece is true and I never removed it from the chuck. Any advice?

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

When it does that, the piece is not true to the cutter (or lathe bed). Since you did not remove the piece from the chuck, I think the only possibility is the lead screw is not parallel with the cutter.

[@jerryhillis]

Mike Peace Woodturning Thank you so much Mike!! Merry Christmas!

[@kensherwin4544]

A question by somebody who'se never tried it: Obviously, you have to move the tool at the right speed so that it drops into the next thread at the next revolution. Have you experimented with moving it twice as fast so that it drops in two threads off, resulting in a two-start thread at twice the pitch? You might be able to make a 5 tpi thread that way.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

If you are talking about making a double start thread with a hand thread chaser, I would argue it is not possible. Never seen or heard of it being done. I did a video with a jig that makes a double start thread. It cuts two 6 tpi for a 12 tpi final thread. kzbin.info/www/bejne/q53YZXV3atWVqdE

[@garymccoy2888]

More hand chasing. I’m still on the fence to buying the tools

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Unfortunately, you need hand thread chasers. www.amazon.com/dp/B004I49PLO/?ref=idea_lv_dp_ov_d&tag=aiponsite-20&linkCode=ic6&ascsubtag=amzn1.ideas.3FPMOM5XF9P68