Randy -
Thanks for the kind words. When you get around to trying thread milling, just remember that the load on each tooth grows with every pass since you are cutting a triangle. You could do it like on a lathe where you also step down the thread just a bit, but that's too much thinking. I took lighter cuts as I went deeper to help balance the load.
I used far too many passes since I didn't want to waste a part learning the right depth (and I wanted a tight thread), but you could quickly learn how to do it in only two or three passes if you had some practice material.
DSL PWR:
On the contrary. I have seen them for sale, and I probably spent more than $50 in my time making each of them, but I got at least four things out of them:
I got to learn more about my machine and cutting small parts out of tool steel (and I do need the practice);
I got a working thread mill in a few hours rather than waiting for several days (and no shipping cost!);
I got the confidence of knowing that if I break one or need a different size I can make another if I choose to (which is a *very* liberating feeling);
and, perhaps most importantly, I got some quality time with my son while he was home from college (worth all of the others combined).
Besides, if I hadn't made them, I wouldn't have posted this thread, and you would not have told me about Micro 100. They also have some good programs and tips for thread milling on their site. Thanks!
Regards,
- Just Gary
P.S. If I had hundreds of holes to thread in a tooling plate (especially if it were a steel plate), I would seriously consider buying a carbide threadmill for $50. Wait! What am I saying? Of course I'd still make my own!  |