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Chasing thread chasers

D

Dave Jones

Joined
Sep 7, 2024
Messages
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Location
Seattle, WA
Hi, all

I've been looking at getting some thread chasing tools for a while. I've looked at half a dozen brands, watched half a dozen videos, and still don't know which way I want to go.
What's your experience with chasing threads? Has it paid off, or cost hair by the handful?
On a more specific note, have any of you tried the Carter and Sons with the ball in the middle? I don't mind the price, but the design is such a departure from other lathe chisels (with their full size, comfortable looking handles and all that) that it's off-putting.

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I bought one of those and like it better that the two piece sets. My experience with hand thread chasing is it takes a lot of practice and you need hard wood.
 
Dave Jones said:
On a more specific note, have any of you tried the Carter and Sons with the ball in the middle? I don't mind the price, but the design is such a departure from other lathe chisels (with their full size, comfortable looking handles and all that) that it's off-putting.

View attachment 84918
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I have that in 16 TPI.. Love it mainly because it means I only have one tool to keep track of , with the 2-tool sets you have to keep track of the sets which could become a problem if you get into threading enough to have multiple size sets..

I assume I lucked out with my first ever threads - while they were no where near perfect, and looked horrible, they actually did work on the lidded box I made, using walnut wood - But again, I'd note it'd be really difficult to get good threads on typical domestic hardwoods , though the actual use and process of using the tool is quite easy .. the hardest part is getting the perfect size tenon and mortise to make your matching threads - Id recommend watching Sam Angelo or Mike Peace on youtube for tips on thread chasing which to me helped a lot for my first attempt.
 
I have been hand chasing threads for 20 years off and on. I have tried or own most of the brands on the market and have 3 sets of antique chasers. Ive also made my own. In my opinion the Carter and sons is the best. They all work and the difference is subtle but his just seems to be easier to use. Also both cutters are attached so you will never lose or misplaced one. I picked up 12 antique thread chasers at a booth in a flea mkt. Only got 3 matching pair out of that treasure. I will probably nake matching mates some day for the others.
I do most of my threading with a Baxter threader because woods that are good for habd chasingcare hard for me to find or buy.
 
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john lucas said:
I have been hand chasing threads for 20 years off and on. I have tried or own most of the brands on the market and have 3 sets of antique chasers. Ive also made my own. In my opinion the Carter and sons is the best. They all work and the difference is subtle but his just seems to be easier to use. Also both cutters are attached so you will never lose or misplaced one. I picked up 12 antique thread chasers at a booth in a flea mkt. Only got 3 matching pair out of that treasure. I will probably nake matching mates some day for the others.
I do most of my threading with a Baxter threader because woods that are good for habd chasingcare hard for me to find or buy.
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Does the jig make chasing possible on typical domestic woods? Are there any species that never will form a good thread, even with the jig?

Thanks,
Tom
 
The Baxter threading jig is excellent. It will allow you to thread woods that can or will not take hand chased threads. He is a one man shop, but the machine is very high quality. If you want to hand chase, you need boxwood, mountain mahogany which is very rare, or dogwood. Some can get hard maple to cut well. Osage is not one, even with the Baxter, it likes to chip out.

robo hippy
 
I bought a Carter by accident but it feels good in the hand.

Mark StLeger suggests to learn to practice thread chasing with PVC pipe - cuts well, no grain to deal with.

Like Sir Lucas, I prefer to thread with a Baxter jig from Best Wood Tools. SO easy to use. Works wonderfully on ebony, blackwood, holly, hard maple, rosewood.

If you find a used one take care that it was made for your lathe since to have BWT provide and adapter for a larger or smaller lathe may not be I cheap. I bought the jig for the Jet1642 but can't use it now since I gave the 1642 to a friend and it won't fit the PM3520b - thought about milling a riser. It sits quietly, lonely in a box, depressed, dreaming of making threads.

JKJ
 
I have a set of Hamlet chasers, I don't think they make them anymore. I learned thread chasing from Mike Mahoney, the Carter set is his design I believe. If I had to start over, I would get the Carter set.
 
The Baxter threader allows me to cut threads in tge softest woods. I do soak really soft woids with thin CA before I cut. Then I cut the threads to half the depth. Then coat again. Cut to final depth. Coat with CA and make one final cut without changing anything.thats probably overkill but ut works
 
The biggest problem I have is getting the male and female threads the right diameter to work together. I've had good results with hard maple.
 
There’s definitely a knack to thread chasing but worth practicing. The main think is to develop a sense of touch, brute force and thread chasing don’t mix at all. Not tried the Carter but it looked good when I saw it in St Paul.

If you work cross grain (like a bowl blank) you can thread almost any wood. My demo in St Paul was in Walnut and it cut beautifully.

Richard
 
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