Looking at the McMaster Carr Online catalog for some Acme Screws and Nuts and I am a little confused about the # of starts for the screws.

Question - The catalog states that a screw with more starts will move faster than a screw with less starts. Can you asssume that a 5 start screw will move 5 times as fast as a single start screw?

Will a normal acme nut work on any lead screw no matter what the # of starts?

Thank you.

Yes, a five start screw will move 5 times faster than a single start. No, a single start nut will not work on a five start screw. It would be like trying to put a 1/2-20 nut on a 1/2-13 shaft. I read in another post of yours that you were trying to change from a 1/4-20 screw? If cost is a problem or you just like to scrounge up stuff, try a lead screw from a garage door opener. They come either pieced or in a 7' solid length. Find a company that services/installs them and ask them for one that they have pulled out, or root thru their dumpster. They are usually about 5/8" in diameter with an Acme thread.