9x20 Lathe Single-point Threading
Last updated on Tuesday, September 19, 2023 04:29:36 PM Mountain US Time Zone

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3-Wire Method, 60 deg Center Gauge,
Thread Cutting Reference, Retractable Tool Bit Holder,
Lathe Gears, Gear Ratios, Thread Indicator,
Thread Micrometer, Thread Gauges, CNC Threading

Threads: parts & basic thread shapes,
reading thread designations,
3-wire method of measuring pitch diameters.

Also refer to the Hand-tapping Section.

Tables
Metric & Inch Equivalents
Inch to Millimeter Conversion Table
Millimeter to Inch Conversion Table
Decimal Equivalents of 8ths, 16ths, 32nds, 64ths
Decimal Equivalents of Letter Size Drills
Decimal Equivalents of Number Size Drills
Double Depth of Screw Threads
American National /Unified Coarse/Fine Thread Dimensions & Tap Drill Sizes
American Standard Acme Screw Thread Dimensions
ISO External Threads Medium Fit

 3-Wire Method

3-wire set (chart) & plastic color-code wire
(micrometer anvil) holders used to measure thread size. The

Machinist Calculator has built-in 3-wire measurement functions.

60 deg Center Gauge



The
60 deg satin chrome-plated tempered steel
Starrett No. C391 Center (or fishtail) Gauge.

The different scales measure threads/inch.
The double-depth of American National threads are

shown for different screw sizes but threads are
best cut using the compound at left 29 degrees.


This Starrett attachment is useful for holding
the center gauge firmly against the lathe arbor or

faceplate when setting either internal & external
screw cutting tools. A slot containing a flat spring

holds the gauge. The V-groove in the other side permits
locating the attachment against a round part.


Using the
center gauge to setup
the
60 deg tool bit cutting angle.

When cutting U.S. Standard Threads, set the
compound at exactly 29 deg, adjust the chasing tool

on center & to conform to position with the 60
deg center gauge. Move the tool in to just touch

the work. Re-check setup. Feed the
tool in by moving only the compound.

By using the compound, there is less
stress on the tool bit & the cut is cleaner.

THREAD CUTTING REFERENCE
THREADS/INCH

DEPTH @ 29 deg

THREADS/INCH

DEPTH @ 29 deg

2 .3713 18 .0412
4 .1856 20 .0371
5 .1485 24 .0310
6 .1237 27 .0275
7 .1060 28 .0265
8 .0928 30 .0247
9 .0825 32 .0232
10 .0742 36 .0206
11 .0675 40 .0186
12 .0620 48 .0155
13 .0570 50 .0148
14 .0530 64 .0116
16 .0464 72 .0103


Using an angle jig to set & then (four-bolt)
lock the lathe compound at 30 degrees.

Retractable Tool Bit Holder

Retractable tool bit holder.

Lathe Gears

Gear Ratios

Gear ratios for various feed rates. See Jet feed gears.

  
Other 9x20 lathes have additional gear sizes
that
are interchangeable with the Jet BD-920N.
Gear ratios differ among the machines (e.g., Jet vs. Enco)
.
I bought additional gear sizes (e.g., 120t), 127t) to have more ratios.

Thread Indicator

A manual lathe has a thread indicator that shows the
operator when to close the half-nut. For CNC threading,

Mach3 makes use of the pulse from the spindle
index sensor to know when to start cutting. By timing

the index pulses, Mach3 calculates the feed per
revolution that corresponds to the pitch of the thread.

As an  example, for one revolution of the lathe spindle,
a 1/4-20 bolt has a thread every 0.050" (1/20).

Thread Micrometer

Screw thread micrometer with five different
anvil pairs to measure both unified &

metric external pitch diameter. 0" to 1"
measurement range with a 0.0001" scale.

A much easier pitch measurement
method than the 3-wire method.

SCREW THREAD MICROMETER ANVILS

ANVIL #

1

2

3

4

5

TPI RANGE

64 - 48

44 - 28

24 - 14

13 - 9

8 - 5

METRIC RANGE

0.4 - 0.5

0.6 - 0.9

1 - 1.75

2 - 3

3.5 - 5


Anvil pairs are clearly marked for pitch range.


Example measurement of a 1/4-20 screw.
The micrometer reading is 0.2160".
Table pitch value is 0.2164".

A fast & accurate thread measurement tool.
The bolt can freely rotate around
the micrometer's anvil axis.

Thread Gauges

Standard Unified & metric thread gauges.

CNC Threading


Two videos showing a
Taig CNC lathe threading
a 3/8-16 aluminum bolts.

3-Wire Method, 60 deg Center Gauge,
Thread Cutting Reference, Retractable Tool Bit Holder,
Lathe Gears, Gear Ratios, Thread Indicator,
Thread Micrometer, Thread Gauges, CNC Threading

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