Model Engine Maker
Help! => Tooling Review => Topic started by: Dan Rowe on April 06, 2014, 08:27:47 PM
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I found a cheep M1.6 thread roller on ebay so I decided to give it a go.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/181355608402?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/181355608402?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649)
It took a while to get here but free shipping so no complaints. I have never had a thread roller to examine but I thought that the rolls were free to rotate. This is not the case on this unit and I think it is a fixed roller type. Anyway the chart says to use a 1.37mm wire to roll a 1.6mm thread. I found a paper clip about the correct size .050" which is a tad small but it rolled a fairly nice thread and fit 1.6 mm nuts I have from Scale Hardware.
I then put a piece of 1/16" square rod in a collet and cut it down to 1.37mm OD.
(http://www.7-8ths.info/gallery/5/213-060414124101.jpeg)
I used a pointed rod to support the end the end of the roller and turned it by hand.
(http://www.7-8ths.info/gallery/5/213-060414124252.jpeg)
Here is the thread roller and a couple of threaded paper clips and the 1/16" grub screws I made.
(http://www.7-8ths.info/gallery/5/213-060414124457.jpeg)
Now if you happen to break off the thread while rolling the whole thing can be disassembled to remove the broken section. To reassemble simply stack the parts on a flat plate and put the housing on with the tapered section down. The backing plate and the three screws and it is back in operation. A standard thread is included to check the assembly.
(http://www.7-8ths.info/gallery/5/213-060414124748.jpeg)
The seller also has a few other sizes and I ordered the smallest one which is a M1.4.
I used a bit of molly grease to lube the operation and I found it much easier than using a tiny cutting die as I have a bad habit of breaking the stock in the die and then it can be very frustrating to get the broken section removed. I have wrecked dies, tools and my temper with tiny cutting dies.
Dan
Edit: ebay links go dead so search for "thread rolling head spoke"