www.LatheCity.

com
Safely Working with Benchtop Systems Booklet I
Featuring Sherline, UNIMAT, SIEG, Craftsman
Booklet 1 Thread
th
4 Edition

Cutting on a Lathe

1st Edition ISBN-10: 0985136022

ISBN-13: 978-0-9851360-2-4
ISBN-13: 978-0-9851360-8-6
2nd Edition ISBN-10: 0985136081
US Registered copyright / Library of Congress# (2nd Ed.): TXu 1-870-741
ISBN-13: 978-0-9911530-1-5
3rd Edition ISBN-10: 0991153014
4th Edition (paperback)
ISBN-10:0991153030
ISBN-13: 978-0-9911530-3-9

Copyright 2012 Uwe Burghaus / LatheCity (1st edition)

2013 Uwe Burghaus / LatheCity (updated 1st edition)
2013 Uwe Burghaus / LatheCity (2nd edition)
2014 Uwe Burghaus / LatheCity (3rd edition) all rights reserved
2014 Uwe Burghaus / LatheCity (4th edition) all rights reserved
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form
or by any means except as permitted by the United States Copyright Act, without prior written
permission of the author. Drawings are included for private and non-commercial use only.

Disclaimer
The book has been written carefully and all projects and procedures have
been tested thoroughly. However, as always, the author and publisher cannot
guarantee that the procedures are perfect and without any mistakes. In addition, it
is impossible to predict and prevent all the possible problems someone may
possibly run into when working with a lathe. Using a power tool can be dangerous
and the proper use is the responsibility of the one who is using the tool. Neither
the author nor publisher shall be liable for damage arising herefrom. If you are not
perfectly comfortable with working with power tools, then dont do it! In this case,
take a metal working class rather than following a do-it-yourself outline. Or, find a
different hobby. I cannot jump in if you make a mistake which results in harming
yourself or damaging the tools you use. Dont use half broken or damaged tools,
perhaps purchased for cheap at a secondhand store or who knows where. This
would be overwhelming to handle in the beginning. Thoughtful work will be your
responsibility.
The author makes no representations or warranties with respect to the
accuracy or completeness of the contents.
The author is not a professional machinist or engineer. He is a hobby
machinist as you probably are. In fact, the author holds a PhD in physics and
teaches physical chemistry at a college. Therefore, no information provided herein
represents professional advice or best practices in machining. All information is
provided to help hobbyists and other non-professionals gain a better
understanding of using a miniature benchtop (tabletop) lathe for hobby type work.
This book features in particular Sherline, UNIMAT, SIEG, and Craftsman
lathes and accessories. However, none of the statements or procedures may
coincide with the manufacturers opinion or interests. The author is not an
employee of, or agent for any of the vendors referenced in the text and does not
sell or represent any of the third party products discussed.
Web addresses are given without any warranty or guarantee, web sites
may be infected by a computer virus and/or may not provide the best service. Web
sites and their content may have changed between the time the author described
them in this book and when this book is read. Neither the author nor publisher
shall be liable for damage arising herefrom.
You will perform all operations herein described at your own risk in any
regard. Neither LatheCity nor its owner shall be liable for damage arising from
unprofessional use or misuse of accessories.
5

Any legal action brought against LatheCity shall be tried in the State of
North Dakota in Fargo, USA. In no event shall LaheCity's liability exceed the
purchase price paid for the product. We shall in no event be liable for death,
injuries to persons or property or incidental, contingent, special or consequential
damage arising from the use of our products.
This disclaimer information is given on our website and it is available
before and without purchasing any of our products.

Factory direct sales.

www.LatheCity.com

Table of Contents
COPYRIGHT
Disclaimer
Table of contents
Pictograms
Preface - why learning this?
List of features lathe models

Part 1 - Introduction

1. First things first - required safety notes how to work safely? .......... 13
2. A bit theory
2.1 Advantages of cutting threads on a lathe .............................................................. 24
2.2 Disadvantage of cutting threads on a lathe............................................................ 25
2.3 Thread design and standards ................................................................................ 27
2.4 Idea of cutting threads on a lathe ......................................................................... 32
2.5 Other techniques for cutting threads .................................................................... 34
2.6 Less common thread types .................................................................................... 36
2.7 Engineering of gear trains ..................................................................................... 37
2.8 Literature ............................................................................................................... 37

Part 2 Manual thread cutting on a tabletop

jewelry type lathe
3. Cutting threads on a Sherline lathe

3.1 Setting up the thread cutter .................................................................................. 39

3.2 Typical procedure making the first screw (external and right handed thread) .. 49
3.3 Cutting internal threads (nuts) .............................................................................. 54
3.4 Cutting left handed threads .................................................................................. 55
3.5 Metric screws ........................................................................................................ 59
3.6 Cutting low pitch threads troubleshooting ......................................................... 60
3.7 Using the compound slide for cutting threads ...................................................... 64
3.8 Double start threads .............................................................................................. 66
3.9 Cutting threads in a taper shape ........................................................................... 73
3.10 Using a Sherline lathe as a hand taping machine? .............................................. 74
3.11 Further curiosities perhaps interesting ............................................................ 75
3.12 A few suggestions for projects ............................................................................ 78
3.13 Troubleshooting .................................................................................................. 82

Part 3 Automatic thread cutting on larger lathes

4. Cutting threads on a somewhat larger (China import) lathe

4.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 83

4.2 Basic set-up ........................................................................................................... 83
4.3 Half nut and threading dial .................................................................................... 87
4.4 Mounting a gear train on a lather lathe ................................................................ 89
4.5 How does this work? typical thread cutting procedure ...................................... 91
4.6 Differences, similarities, final notes, tips and tricks ............................................... 93
4.7 Using taps and dies on a larger lathe ..................................................................... 94

Part 4 Vintage lathes and thread cutting

5. Note about thread cutting on an UNIMAT

5.1 What is an UNIMAT? ............................................................................................. 99

5.2 Idea of the thread cutting procedure on an UNIMAT ........................................... 101
5.2.1 UNIMAT SL DB
5.2.2 UNIMAT 3
5.3 Internet resources for UNIMAT ............................................................................. 103
5.4 UNIMAT specs ........................................................................................................ 104

6. Note about thread cutting on a Craftsman lathe

6.1 Vintage machine and vintage manual ................................................................... 107

6.2 Change gear and gear train of a Craftsman 109 lathe ........................................... 110

Part 5 Misc. tips and tricks

6. Thread cutting gizmos tips and tricks

6.1 Hand tapping machines .......................................................................................... 113

6.2 Threading die holder for lathe and mill .................................................................. 113
6.3 Threading tap holder for lathe and mill ................................................................. 113
6.4 Bench block ........................................................................................................... 114
6.5 Trueing hand threading tools ................................................................................. 115
6.6 Taping machines for mill or drill press ................................................................... 116
6.7 Boring square holes ................................................................................................ 121
6.8 Metric vs. English ................................................................................................... 121
6.9 Trueing adapters made with a hand taping machine ............................................. 123
6.10 Measuring the runout of an adapter (threads) ................................................... 124

7. Brief summary and glossary ................................................................................. 127

Acknowledgement

Generic list of pictograms used in LatheCity books

Object of a given Chapter/brief introduction.

Start of a project. The Chapter numbers are given in
the content list.

Internet

Internet addresses of potentially useful sites.

However, web sites may be infected by computer
viruses. Use them at your own risk.

STOP

Safety notes. It is not my intention to bother

you, and this book is meant for adults with advanced
machining skills, not for children. Therefore,
whether you read the safety notes or not is your
decision. However, dont blame me if you do not
take the few minutes to do this and end up in the
hospital. All procedures are performed at your own
risk.

Engineering terms or topics are described here.

You may skip these if you are only interested in the
operation of the tool. Remember, though, that
knowledge also always provides protection (safety).
If you know what youre doing... right.

PE PA

Projects: engineering/artwork projects

L/M

Comparison of lathe and mill operations. Most

of us started with lathe work, that is, these
comparisons can help gaining a deeper
understanding (even of lathe work).

Summary of the Chapters. See content list for

Chapter numbers.

10

Preface why learning this?

Why learning thread cutting? When finalizing the current edition
of this book, I contacted a few LatheCity customers for photos of vintage
lathes or simply other lathe models to include in the book. Unfortunately, I
often got a responds similar to this one:
My Lathe has all the gears for cutting threads but I've not tried it it
seems confusing to me on how to set up the proper gears Instructions
were hard for me to understand

Well, guys, first, you have now hopefully easy to understand instructions.
Second, much of the machinery on your lathe is devoted to cutting threads.
Not using it would be like purchasing a BMW and driving 55 miles on a
highway. In that case, save the money and get a Volkswagen. (Germans,
which I am, have that car thing in the genes using one of the common
misconceptions for making a clear point. By the way, I dont like
Sauerkraut )
Seriously, cutting threads is one of the main advantages of having a
lathe at hand. Try, at least, to learn how this works it is fun. And, it is
rather simple. I will discuss below what all the advantages really are.
Why using the Sherline lathe as an example? First of all, in the US,
it is one of the most popular and most widely circulated small lathes.
Secondly, it is an open system, i.e., you can really see and learn how
thread cutting works. Its a simple lathe and therefore ideal for learning
thread cutting. By the way, we got orders for Sherline accessories made by
LatheCity from around the world including Australia, Brazil, Dubai,
Guatemala, Japan, New Zealand , Thailand, Venezuela, Vietnam, and many
European countries.
Vintage lathes. The UNIMAT SL DB is featured in some detail since
its design is quite similar to a Sherline lathe and a large number of
UNIMATs are still in circulation. In addition, thread cutting on UNIMAT 3
and Craftsman 109 lathes is described. We got some photos from
customers since we dont have all these lathes in the shop either. Many
thanks for the support.
Larger lathes. Nevertheless, how thread cutting works on a larger
China import lathe is also discussed in this book. Perhaps you have one of
these already or want to upgrade. Thus, even if you have a Grizzly, Harbor
Freight, Craftsman, Sears, Rockwell, UNIMAT, Bolton, SIEG or whatever
lathe, this book will include relevant information.
11

There are probably 10,000 bicycle or car models

on the market, but if you learned how to operate
one of these, you can manage most other
models. Same thing happens with thread
cutting. Anyway, the following lathe models are
specifically discussed in the book. I do focus on
the Sherline and SIEG systems, however.
Featured lathe models:
Sherline (long/short version)
UNIMAT SL DB
UNIMAT 3
3536 HiTorque 8.5x16 (China lathe)
SIEG SC4 (China lathe)
Rockwell
Craftsman 109

12

Brief summary and glossary

This book is too short to provide a meaningful index. Instead, this glossary
is added.
ACME threads
Left handed screws

See Chapter 2.6.

See Chapter 3.4. These can be cut basically in the
same way as right handed screws. The gear train
determines the handiness of the threads rather
than the thread cutting operation on its own.
Half nut, split nut
Devise to synchronize the cross-slide and lead
screw of a larger lathe. Fig. 4.4
Threading die holder Mounting fixture for dies, see Fig. 4.10, which can
replace a thread hand cutting machine.
Threading tap holder Just use a Jacobs chuck, see Fig. 6.1., special
fixtures are not really required.
Runout
Miss-alignment of e.g. the thread axis and work
piece axis. See Fig. 6.9
Dial indicator
Mechanical DRO, so to say. Can be used to
measure e.g. the runout. See Fig. 6.9
DRO
Digital readout. Gives the position of the lathe
cutter.
Tapping machine
Fig. 2.9, hand tapping machine.
Boring square holes
See Vol. 1.
Clutch
Engagement mechanism used on some thread
cutting machines. Prevents to build up too large
torque while cutting threads (safety clutch, friction
clutch). See Chapter 6.6.
Bench block
Fig. 6.2
Threading leader
Template for thread cutting, see Fig. 5.2
Threading to a shoulder No special thick is here required, but cut the
thread from the shoulder, i.e., start at the
shoulder, see Chapter 4.5.
127

Metric threads
Double lead screws
Double start screws
Change gears

Threading dial
Tapered threads

Lead
29
Pitch
-20
M8-1.25

TPI
Gear train
Center gauge
Thread cutting tools
HSS
HCS

The gear train determines if a Metric or English

thread is cut. See Chapter 3.5.
Double start screws would be the correct term. A
screw can have only one lead.
Chapter 3.8. Two helixes are cut in a bolt.
The gears of the gear train. On a small lathe one
has to change these gears a lot in order to change
the TPI machined. I guess thats where the term is
coming from.
Fig. 4.5, used to synchronize the lathe chuck and
cross-slide.
Chapter 3.9, threads cut in a taper. Can be done by
turning between centers and off-setting the
tailstock.
The linear or axial distance a nut moves in one
revolution of a screw.
That magic angle, right, see Fig. 3.12.
One over TPI. Example 20 TPI threads have a pitch
of 1/20=0.05
is the nominal diameter, 20 are the TPI
8 mm is the nominal diameter, 1.25 mm is the
pitch. For Metric screws the pitch is given rather
than threads per mm.
Thread per inch, or turns (of a nut) per inch.
See Chapter 2.4, assembly of gears.
See Fig. 3.2. Used to square a thread cutter. You
will never need it, save the money.
see Fig. 3.1.
High speed steel, preferred material for low budget
hobby type cutting tools. Better are carbide inserts.
High carbon steel. Often misleadingly printed on
cheapo tools. HSS, HCS all the same? Nope. HCS
taps are good for cutting threads in drywall besides
that use HSS tools.
128

Hand tapping machine See Fig. 2.9, helps to square threads and provides
enough torque.
Wire gauges
See Fig. 2.5, used to measure the depth of threads.
Thread wire gauges.
Thread repair
See Chapter 4.5, no big trick, just readjust the
cutter as good as possible with existing thread
helix.
Thread gauge
See Fig. 2.5, measures the pitch of threads.
UTS, UNC, UNEF
See Chapter 2.3, thread standards.
Major, minor radius
See Fig. 2.3.
Buddy system:
See Chapter 1.
ANSI Z87
If you dont know what that is, PLEASE read
Chapter 1.
Thread repair dies
Hex dies are often labeled as such which is basically
bogus. A HSS hex die can be used to cut threads as
any other die, assuming you have a die holder that
does fit it and the die is compatible with a standard
thread form (usually they are). Round dies can be
better centered, however.

129

130

Acknowledgements and notes to the 1st Edition

Proofreading of this Booklet by Scribendi (Canada) is acknowledged. Writing a book about
metal working typically does not improve the reputation of a scientist and chemistry college teacher
(some prefer not to get dirty fingers...). Therefore, many thanks in advance to open-minded colleagues.
However, in the UK, there is apparently a tradition to write your own book about gardening the
LatheCity books would be my version of this, I guess.

Acknowledgements and notes to the 2nd Edition

I added two Chapters and a few more images. Because thread cutting on Sherlines system is
not really practical, most home shop machinist think at some point about upgrading to a larger
benchtop (China type) lathe. Therefore, I added a Chapter about thread cutting procedures on a lathe
which actually allows for using the lathe motor for that purpose. In addition, a brief Chapter about
thread cutting on an UNIMAT is added. This may for most of us be a historic note. The add-on Chapters
were again proofread professionally by Scribendi (Canada). Also, the booklet was reformatted using
pictograms and wider page margins.

Updated 3rd Edition One usually adds something; its hard to remove a Chapter. The drawback,
the costs increase, but the product price usually does not. Anyway, I did add a Tips and Tricks Chapter
and some more practical notes. Desktop publishing has the advantage that it is simple to come up with
new editions and updates.

Updated 4th Edition This is probably now the last edition for a while, I hope. A more significant
change, I started to offer the 4th edition as a professional paperback and changed the format from letter
size to 9x3 book format. This edition also features some more vintage lathes in more detail. The
entire book was originally a 30 pages or so Chapter in one of our lathe books and grew over time in a
separate book.

Copyright exceptions: Yellow hard helmet photo is copyright by

www.freedigitalphotos.net. Fig. 5.3 is copyright by F. Eisele; Fig. 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4 (left) are
copyright by T. Haight. Scanned text on page 107 (top) is public domain.
The rest of the images, photos, pictograms, and drawings are copyrighted by
LatheCity/Uwe Burghaus, 2012. Some images depict Sherline equipment or equipment of
other companies taken by LatheCity, as referenced in the figure captions.

131

132

Other LatheCity books are available:

Vol. 1: Basic Lathe Operations S
Vol. 2: Working with Lathe Accessories S
Vol. 3: Poor Mans CNC Lathe*
Vol. 4: Tabletop Milling S, G
Booklet 1: Thread Cutting on a Lathe S
Booklet 2: Working with Exotic Materials on a Lathe and Mill *
Booklet 3: Summary of Basic Metal Lathe Operations *
Booklet 4: Artwork Projects on Benchtop Lathes and Mills *

Some project booklets/manuals are also available.

Volumes in preparation:
Vol. 5: Tabletop Lathes*
Vol. 6: The CNC Benchtop Lathe an Introduction S
S

: Featuring Sherline systems

: Featuring Grizzly systems
*
: Completely model independent
G

For free previews go to: www.LatheCity.com

Our book products are also available at Amazon and eBay.
Tools are also up at eBay.
Factory direct: www.LatheCity.com (PayPal, mailed in Checks)
LatheCity is a small business registered with the North Dakota Secretary of State.
All books are written and printed in USA.

133

Factory direct sales.

www.LatheCity.com

134

Uwe Burghaus, born in West Berlin,

Germany, obtained his education in Physics and
Physical Chemistry at the Free University of
Berlin.*) He obtained a PhD in 1995, after
conducting his graduate studies in surface
science at the Fritz-Haber Institute of the Max
Planck Society in Berlin. After postdoctoral
positions in Genoa (Italy) and Santa Barbara
(USA), he went back to Germany to complete a
habilitation/tenure in Physical Chemistry. Now
at North Dakota State University, he started to
establish a surface chemistry group in 2003 and obtained tenure in 2009.
His group is currently focusing on studies about nanostructured catalysts.
His hobbies include machining furniture from metal and glass. He is
not a professional machinist by training. However, his hobby metal work
developed into a small part-time business in 2012. LatheCity currently sells
books about metal working, software tools, and accessories: everything
thats fun to make and may find customers. The strength of the business is
custom-designed tools.

*)

Its (still) called Free University, not because we dont need to

pay tuition in Germany (education is indeed free!), but because it
was located in the western part of Berlin (West Germany), as
opposed to East Berlin the Russian sector. The FU Berlin was
nd
founded with the help of the US after the end of the 2 world war
Google the details, please. (I got a few funny e-mails and did
add this explanation ) LatheCity books are unfortunately not for
free, sorry I also live in the US now
135