Which is easier, threading stainless fine or coarse threads

Z

Ziffer

Senior Member
I have to thread some stainless rod and I have both fine and coarse split taps. I don't care if the threads are fine or coarse but I "seem to recall" reading somewhere that stainless was easier to thread with fine threads?

Thanks in advance for the advice.
 
Easier to go to amazon.com and buy whatever SAE or metric stainless threaded rod you want. Not that expensive.

Jack E/NJ
 
Fine thread pitch does have a more shallow depth to the cut so that would make the fine the easier of the two choices. Stainless is difficult to cut with either thread pitch. Use a lot of cutting oil.
 
Jack

I agree that if you can buy it is easier and since time is worth something as we get older that would be a wise call. I however, need to make some studs with a non threaded shoulder in the middle so I have to make what I need. If I only had a lathe.

Z
 
Fine threads are easier to cut.
If your dies are adjustable, do the job in 2 passes.
It will make a cleaner thread.
 
Ziffer said:
Jack

I agree that if you can buy it is easier and since time is worth something as we get older that would be a wise call. I however, need to make some studs with a non threaded shoulder in the middle so I have to make what I need. If I only had a lathe.

Z
Click to expand...

May I ask why you need stainless (and there are many grades, magnetic and non-magnetic, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stainless_steel for a decent description)?

Seen lots of stainless go together never to come apart. It may not corrode, but it galls like hell. Nickel-bearing teflon tape or high-quality anti-seize helps.

Good luck...
 
Not sure what size you're talking about, but if you are expecting to take (say) 5/16" SS rod and run a 5/16" die over it, all I can say is good luck! I don't think you'll even get the die to bite until you grind it down a ways.
 
Ziffer, without looking, I think most stainless threads are rolled rather than cut.
You can buy stainless fasteners in different grades of stainless as well.
You could get it turned on a lathe. You should get a better result.
 
I tried threading my stainless radiator support rods, and ended up ruining the die and the rod. Man that stainless is harder than woodpecker lips!
 
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