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 World of micro minature
Author: knotty 
Date:   2015-05-18 08:34

I've worked with the usual tap and dies of say 1/8" and larger but the tiny threads on hinge rods and pivot screws has me amazed. Do they make tap and dies that small?

Reason being, I need to get a hinge rod, the rod itself is no problem but cutting threads that small, I don't know about.

Any idea what size those threads are?

Thanks!

~ Musical Progress: None ~

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 Re: World of micro minature
Author: clarnibass 
Date:   2015-05-18 08:57

Yes, there are taps and dies in those sizes... and there are many different sizes depending on the model.

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 Re: World of micro minature
Author: JHowell 
Date:   2015-05-18 09:26

With a Hardinge tool room lathe you can cut those threads single point, no problem.

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 Re: World of micro minature
Author: Wes 
Date:   2015-05-18 09:45

Well equipped tool stores will have those tiny taps and thread cutter dies. They also will have drill rod in many sizes for making shafts. The threads may be English or metric.

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 Re: World of micro minature
Author: clarnibass 
Date:   2015-05-18 10:01

>> With a Hardinge tool room lathe you can cut those threads single point, no problem. <<

What kind of support would you use for the rod? A travelling rest is not really possible. Maybe some kind of custom ha;f steady from the back? Regardless of lathe, it is the flex of the thin rod that would be a problem... or maybe not so much if done in one cut, if that is even possible..? I don't know, I've never cut such a small thread on a lathe.

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 Re: World of micro minature
Author: Wisco99 
Date:   2015-05-18 10:47

Yes, they do make tiny taps, and they are usually found at very tiny bars. This does leave room for more taps to offer more beer on tap, but it does take much longer to draw a beer on tap. Personally I would go with a standard sized tap found at a larger bar with fewer beers on tap. You get far less foam that way.

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 Re: World of micro minature
Author: Steven Ocone 
Date:   2015-05-18 15:37

I have and use taps and dies as small as 0-80 and 1mm. Theses are standard sizes and are not hard to find or very expensive. Any machine tool supply company should have them.

Steve Ocone


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 Re: World of micro minature
Author: JHowell 
Date:   2015-05-18 17:12

McMaster-Carr (www.mcmaster.com) is a good supplier if one is not local.

Clarnibass, the threaded length is very short, and the tool is very small and sharp. Just an offhand comment on my part since I have machinist friends and have seen similar things done, but it didn't advance the issue and I apologize.

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 Re: World of micro minature
Author: knotty 
Date:   2015-05-18 18:45

Thanks so much all! this information is the greatest news to me. I didn't know such small taps and dies were available.

Yes JHowell, there is a McMaster here I use to occasionally buy small special screws for my archery needs.

Although some of my friends call me "uneconomical" because I rather try to do things myself rather than just go buy a part or service. It's just fun and a sense of accomplishment for me.

Thank you!

~ Musical Progress: None ~

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 Re: World of micro minature
Author: Chris P 
Date:   2015-05-18 18:55

The smallest taps I use are 12BA (which needs a 1.1mm drill) and maybe also an M1.25 or M1.5. Most adjusting screw and rod screw threads tend to be M2x0.4 on oboes and some clarinets, but Buffet, Leblanc and Yamaha use smaller threads on their rod screws.

Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010

The opinions I express are my own.

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 Re: World of micro minature
Author: clarnibass 
Date:   2015-05-18 19:59

JHowell, no need to apologize, and it's still on topic anyway.

Actually a lot of clarinet rod screws have relatively long threads for their diameter. Springiness would be a problem regardless of anything else... but then there are a lot of other issues unless you have CNC lathe, or some type of automated carriage stop.

It would be intereting to know who such small screws are cut on a lathe, I just don't know of anyone who has done it. I will ask a retired clarinet player and repairer who now is a manufacturer of repair tools including woodwind screws.

If you use a cutting tool on a lathe, by the time you have everything set up the thread would probably already be ready if you use a die :)

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 Re: World of micro minature
Author: knotty 
Date:   2015-05-18 20:14

Thanks Chris. Yes clarnibass, I'd love to see how it's done on a lathe, time for some Youtube videos.

On a lathe, I would imagine, the threads have to be cut from near the middle of a length of rod for support on both ends of such a small work piece. In that case, I guess you can have two rods, just cut it in half when done.

I don't know, just thinking.

~ Musical Progress: None ~

Post Edited (2015-05-18 20:16)

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 Re: World of micro minature
Author: Mark Charette 
Date:   2015-05-18 20:54

Go check watchmaking sites.

Single pointing such small stock normally ends badly.

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 Re: World of micro minature
Author: knotty 
Date:   2015-05-18 22:48

Thanks Mark, a wealth of information on watch making sites. A whole new world of techniques, tools, and suppliers.

~ Musical Progress: None ~

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