Source for small diameter partially threaded rod.

[BanduraMaker]

This is kind of a longshot but I thought I'd cast the net and see what I can find.

I'm designing a re-tuning mechanism for my instruments and I'm going to require partially threaded rod to complete the design. The rod is of a very small diameter which is making it quite hard to find. I'm still in the early stages of design so I have some flexibility of dimensions. Here's what I'm looking for:

Diameter - at least .075" but no more than .1" (I'm thinking that .08 would be ideal)
Length of thread - minimum .250" a little more would be better
Length of smooth part - minimum 1"
Pitch - looking for as high a TPI I can find. This thread will be used for final intonation so more is better.

The threaded portion major diameter can be either the same as the smooth portion or a slightly greater diameter (like on a stud). I'm also willing to machine the parts e.g. if I could find a threaded stud that could be made to fit my parameters after machining.

I've found small diameter fully threaded rod that could fit the bill if I could machine the threads off and have a smooth shaft when I'm done. I don't know how I'd hold the part while machining though and how I could hold a tight tolerance on the shaft. If someone has ideas, let me know.

The final option would be to thread the rod by myself but, I imagine that it's not easy to thread 54 to 80tpi without some sort of special fixture. I'm getting my CNC gantry router within a few days but I don't know, is it possible to thread something that small with that high a TPI with a stepper controlled (gecko 540)?

Any and all advice is greatly appreciated.

[kregan]

Try DU-BRO hardware.
Lots of small threaded rods and such for R/C planes and boats.

Du-Bro RC - AIRCRAFT, PUSH RODS/ACCESSORIES

[packrat]

How about using bicycle spokes? The end with the threads(rim end) would do the job, and the nipples can be modified if you need nuts. Spokes come in different diameters also.

[djr76]

you can try Mcmaster-Carr or search for hobby stuff like rc cars, and air plane sites, they use lots of small diameter partially threaded rods.