Metal Fabricators: Best way to thread (a lot of) 1/4" rod?

[Tom '74 911]

Hello,
I've been slow at work (architect), so I've been helping out a friend in his metal fabrication shop. One of the things he's tasked me to do is thread around 250 pieces of 1/4" rod - about 1" on both ends, so 500 ends need threading. That's a crapload of threading to do! I've gone through two 1/4-20 dies doing it by hand and I've only done maybe 40 rods total so far. . . But I keep thinking, "there HAS to be a better way!" Doing them all by hand is incredibly time consuming, is there a better, more automated process?

The rods vary in length from 30" to 42" and no, we can't just use all-thread! This is for a sculptural project, so the aesthetic of the rod is required.

Is there an automated option that doesn't require a 50K investment in machinery and tooling? My desk jockey hands are killing me!

Thanks,
Tom

[nota]

chuck the rod in a big drill press

or set up jigs to use a slow powerful handdrill flat
hard wood with 1/4 hole could work
just needs to be dead square

slow variable speeds needed
bench vice to hold the die

thread cut machine for 1/4'' stock one pitch
may not be real money
maybe lath add on could be found

[Hydrocket]

The ideal way is a threading machine. Barring that, a hobby lathe. Barring that, a portable threader. Barring that a ratchet threader.

Ratchet threader might be easiest and most cost effective. And will keep you from getting tired. You also might consider getting a high quality die. Possibly carbide. Also, use a threading fluid. It will make it easier and the dies will last longer.

Looks like this:

[KevinP73]

I'd try locating a screw machine locally. Probably wouldn't take a whole day to roll some threads.
A quick Google search shows them all over the place in Idaho

[Tom '74 911]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I don't see how a drill press could work as the rods are 30" to 42" long and pretty flexible. We do have a nice lathe with thread cutting options etc... Which I don't know how to use, but maybe worth looking into if for no other reason than to learn how to do it. With a proper adapter, I can see how a nice electric drill might work, although it'd be tricky I think. If we end up staying with the "individually by hand" method (most likely) a ratchet and a nice sharp die would be the ticket for sure. I will do some more research into finding a semi local threading machine.

Thanks again for the suggestions,
Tom

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Hydrocket

The ideal way is a threading machine. Barring that, a hobby lathe. Barring that, a portable threader. Barring that a ratchet threader.

Ratchet threader might be easiest and most cost effective. And will keep you from getting tired. You also might consider getting a high quality die. Possibly carbide. Also, use a threading fluid. It will make it easier and the dies will last longer.

Looks like this:

This is what I used back in the day... but don't know if it would work on 1/4" (1/2" gal. pipe was the smallest thing I ever did.

Have someone teach you have to use the lathe, it is a valuable skill! But have someone show you how to work it safely, they can be dangerous is you don't know what you are doing.

[drew1]

A Rigid Pipe Threading Machine with a 1/4 Bolt Die would work. Comercial Electrical Shops & Plumping Shops probaly have the machine & may have the die for threading hangers.

Another way if the fab shop you're working in has a lathe with a reversing switch, is to make a die holder for a 1/4 round adjustable die. Hex dies are mainly for chasing damaged threads & are hard to get good threads with.

To make the die holder, buy a die at a machine tool store & make the holder to fit the OD of the die. The holder should 1/2" bigger than the OD of the die for set screws to secure the die. Drill a good sized hole into the end of the stock you are making holder for, deep enough to take care of thread length. You want room for chips. Bore a hole a few thousandths bigger than the OD of die, back to a shoulder to a depth of the thickness of the die. On the other end turn back an 1 1/4 to 1 1/2" a diameter you can mount the holder in a drill chuck on the lathe. Drill & tap set screw holes to match the dimples in the die to secure it in the holder. Drill a good sized hole to get chips out of the holder.

To use, mount the holder & die in chuck in the tail stock spindle. Loosen up tail stock so it slides freely. Put the rod in the lathe chuck & run at slow speed. Push the tailstock until the die engages the threads. The die threading on the rod will pull the tailstock. Stop when you have threadlength wanted. Then reserse the direction of spindle rotation to back the tailstock & die off.

[nota]

Originally Posted by tom '74 911

thanks for all the suggestions. I don't see how a drill press could work as the rods are 30" to 42" long and pretty flexible. We do have a nice lathe with thread cutting options etc... Which i don't know how to use, but maybe worth looking into if for no other reason than to learn how to do it. With a proper adapter, i can see how a nice electric drill might work, although it'd be tricky i think. If we end up staying with the "individually by hand" method (most likely) a ratchet and a nice sharp die would be the ticket for sure. I will do some more research into finding a semi local threading machine.

Thanks again for the suggestions,
tom

my old sears craftsman d p will do about 4 foot+
you may need a guide [something with a 1/4'' hole]
near the working end to prevent flex
mount it to the vice holding the die

[ o ] guide
[ d ] die
brackets= vice jaws

[Jim Sims]

You live in one of the greatest and most accessible technological economies in the world - utilize a specialist:

Threaded Rods

[Zeke]

The lathe method of threading in can be inaccurate if you are manually starting and stopping the machine. They like to "coast" a few turns before stopping fully. Using the lathe's threading ability is slow. If I were dong this I'd chuck the stock in the lathe and use a hand held die wrench on a rest. If you can safely pull the rest away at the desired length, the wrench will freewheel while you wait to reverse. At that point, I'd spin the die and wrench back by hand.

You need a good flow of cutting fluid during the process. Go slow.

I'm not a machinist, so I'm taking a stab at this as a hobbyist.

[McLovin]

find this guy and ask him.

20 Times in 48 hours?

[wdfifteen]

Have him squirt some of this on each end.