Threading Jig for Woodturners - Make or Buy?

I explain the pros and cons of making vs buying a threading jig with lots of examples.

You can download an article I wrote for the April 2013 issue of American Woodturner on making a threading jig and additional material here:

Threading Jig Vendors:

[RickTurnsWoodturning]

That homemade threading jig is awesome, Mike! I would never pay the big bucks for a commercial threading jig...this one looks great.

[MikeWaldt]

A very in depth and informative video Mike.
Take care
Mike

[KEYAL]

Great video thanks for all the fantastic tips you give us

[JimmiePorterAtStuartArts]

I found this video to contain great wisdom as I embark into the sea of thread chasing...Thanks Mike!

[tybo]

Good info Mike. I recently watched Sam Angelo's video of him using the hand thread chasers and am considering buying a set. Thanks for showing the other options and the recommendations.

[drgruber]

Very helpful! Thanks. I first saw your video with the chefware jig and since I own a metal lathe, thought that I might try to make one, rather than spend $400, which really don’t have now.
But this helped me step back (knowing Murphy’s laws) and decide to go with hand chasing, at least for the time being.
I will check out Sam’s videos.
I may even try grinding my own thread chasers, since I bought some cheap turning tools from Harbor freight for $20.

[BeyondF]

Very interesting talk. Good info. I've made one of these jigs so was very interested to hear that you had similar challenges, particularly slop. My solution was to use nylock nuts. My lead screw is 1" x 8tpi to match my chuck so rather course, had not considered using a spindle adapter so that possibility was good to know. Also the collet and drawbar to hold the cutter. Thanks for sharing.

[leksey]

Interesting technology. Great home made fixture!

[TheSafecrkr]

Mike, I bought a Simon Hope jig a year or so ago. I got SO frustrated with it that I walked out of my shop, slammed the door& haven't been in there since.
No wood working, no casting & no turning for over a year. I bought it through Simon's website & delivered to a person in Tampa, Florida. My education on how to use the tool was 15 min. on the tailgate of his pick up truck.
My wife is probably right, I'm easy.

[markh]

Love to see a video on the threading jig in use. Thanks

[rroe]

Mike, good video and great idea on this threading unit. I have made several threading units on the same principle. I always buy "Machine" threaded rod since it's ten times more accurate than the rolled threaded rod that hardwares and Home Depot's sell. No slop in this stuff and you can also buy threaded adapters for each in 16 and 10 TPI. Would be easy to change yours out and I believe you would see a big difference. Thanks for the great ideas.

[TheSafecrkr]

I did enjoy your video. I have "Hope" that I'll have more luck later. Your video helped.

[johnfithian-franks]

Great video and thanks for the links to the articles, I have downloaded them and will soon be trying to make your tool. You said in your video that if we were interested in seeing a video on using the tool, to let you know in these comments. I for one would love to see how the threads are made and it would be very helpful.

[DerekCadmus]

Very interested to see a follow-up video demonstrating use of the system. Are you expecting to be in KC later this month?

[alanmullock]

Thanks for posting this Mike, great explanation as always😆😆

[erc]

Good morning, nice jig. Could you tell me the name of the cutter used in the router and which website to find it on? Thank you for sharing your knowledge..👍🏾👍🏾

[edgarsims]

Thanks, Mike
I really appreciate your videos. which jig did you find the best and easiest to use? Which jig do you find the best for small to medium size boxes? Do you ever give individual instruction? Thanks, Ed

[michaellebo]

How do you determine the size of the lid threads and the box threads, to get them to mesh properly? I’m new to the threading and I made your unit, however my lid threads seam to be two small and the lid does not thread properly, ant suggestions?
Thanks Mike

[carltonhunt]

thank you for this video mike. if you sell plans for this jig I would love to buy a set. just let me know how to pay you for them. and again thank you for your videos they are a big help. God bless!!!!

[rgoodleaf]

Hi Mike, great video.  I do have a question  for you.  How do you align the lead screw with the cutter? Do they have to be centered on one another, or can the lead screw be slightly higher/lower than the cutter?