Well, now that my new metal mini is on the way I thought I would begin to understand the concept of internal and external threading, but I have a long way to go.
I understand that taps do internal threads and dies do external threads and that when I get the hang of it I will get me a triple start set. I have a wide range of questions and if anyone else has questions I didn't ask, go ahead and throw them into this thread.
1. How do you know which size hole to drill to go with which tap?
2. How do you know which size dowel (or whatever piece you are using) is for which size die?
3. What do the numbers mean? In looking at taps and dies I see a series of numbers, I think 3. I guess one is threads cut per inch, but what are the rest of them?
4. I have a pen blank with a pattern. I cut it in half for upper and lower barrels. I drill one piece for internal threading and cut a tenon on the other piece for external threading. I thread them. When assembling the two pieces is there anyway to make sure the pattern lines back up? (Would I have to cut a rod the size the tenon should be, thread it, then put it in the threaded hole, then drill out the other blank to accept the rod, then line them up, mark and then glue the rod in place?)
5. When cutting external threads on a pen barrel do you drill out the blank first and then thread, or thread and then drill (like for the nib end of a pen). I would be just threading the blanks so they would fit back together in the final pen. I would still be using tubes and kit threaded couplers to hold the nib in.
6. Before I buy a triple start set, what 2 or three sizes of taps and dies would you recommend I get to start with that would be useful in making pens?
Any input would be most appreciated. I'm going to get me a bunch of plastic rods and practice on them when I get my lathe.
I understand that taps do internal threads and dies do external threads and that when I get the hang of it I will get me a triple start set. I have a wide range of questions and if anyone else has questions I didn't ask, go ahead and throw them into this thread.
1. How do you know which size hole to drill to go with which tap?
2. How do you know which size dowel (or whatever piece you are using) is for which size die?
3. What do the numbers mean? In looking at taps and dies I see a series of numbers, I think 3. I guess one is threads cut per inch, but what are the rest of them?
4. I have a pen blank with a pattern. I cut it in half for upper and lower barrels. I drill one piece for internal threading and cut a tenon on the other piece for external threading. I thread them. When assembling the two pieces is there anyway to make sure the pattern lines back up? (Would I have to cut a rod the size the tenon should be, thread it, then put it in the threaded hole, then drill out the other blank to accept the rod, then line them up, mark and then glue the rod in place?)
5. When cutting external threads on a pen barrel do you drill out the blank first and then thread, or thread and then drill (like for the nib end of a pen). I would be just threading the blanks so they would fit back together in the final pen. I would still be using tubes and kit threaded couplers to hold the nib in.
6. Before I buy a triple start set, what 2 or three sizes of taps and dies would you recommend I get to start with that would be useful in making pens?
Any input would be most appreciated. I'm going to get me a bunch of plastic rods and practice on them when I get my lathe.