>This is something I've not done. However I do make a number of boxes, both friction fit and hinged. I would like to make threaded lid boxes and possibly urns.
For those of you that chase threads. How difficult is this to learn for a resonably accomplished turner, particularly without someone standing there actually showing the ins and outs?
Do you receommend any particular brand of tools?
Last, if you were making numbers of boxes and urns to you believe that a threading jig such as Klein's to be a worthwhile investment or is the chasing method easy and fast enough?
>Mike, thanks for asking this question as I am very interested in the answer also. I took a class with Bonnie Klein and made 1 threaded box. Her jig is excellant! I don't know how big a piece you could do with it though. She will show you how to make an adapter or sell you one for most mini lathes but I don't know about a full size lathe.
Assume from your question that you are talking about hand chasing treads. (?)
If you are talking about machine threading, Best Wood Tools makes the tool that the late Wilard Baxter designed, and it is a great machine, but pricey.
I have only tried hand tread chasing once, at our last club meeting, and could see how it is not particularly difficult for an experienced turner, but is something that does require repetition and practice.
I have seen several articles on making your own tools out of bolts of the approprate tread size -though I could not tell you where to find it.
If I did boxes, it is certainly a skill I would foster.
>I've been making threads with a hand chaser since about 1993 and had my first article on the subject published in the June 1997 issue of Woodturning magazine. I've also used most of the threading jigs and even made one myself at one point. Once you master hand thread chasing (and it takes quite a bit of practice) you can make a set of threads while you are setting up one of the threading jigs to do it. My book, Making Screw Threads in Wood, would be quite helpful to you. It covers most of the jigs on the market, plus hand threading with chasers. The book is available from Amazon.com.
The main thing that you need to do is use a chaser of about 16 tpi to start, always use very hard wood (Boxwood or African Blackwood are the best), and have a lathe that will slow down to about 200 to 300 rpm. Always round over the starting point for chasing so that there is no sharp edge to catch the chaser teeth. Always have a recess cut at the back of the area to be threaded so that the chaser can cut clean before it hits the shoulder. If it hits the shoulder, you will cut concentric rings. It takes a relaxed smooth movement to cut threads. Stiffen up and you will mess up your threads.
I've put an article in More Woodturning on making a chaser out of a bolt and described how to make it work. I don't off hand remember which issue it is published in, but I think it was about January 2003, maybe February 2003. There is a comprehensive list of topics by issue at the More Woodturning web site.
>I have and used the Bommie Kline threader and I use it for making threads on boxes and urns. Also usit to thread my retainer rings on Keleidoscopes and never have any trouble.
I sat in on two of her workshops at Totally Turning. I believe her jig will do up to 4 - 4 1/2". On another note, any chance you guys will offer for sale the videos of the various demonstrators at the symposium?
That is pricey, about $100.00 more than Klein's. Thanks for the link I'll take a closer look, though I'm leaning more towatd hand chasing. A few hand tools, Fred's book and perserverance are cheaper and maybe more satisfying.
>I was going to recommend Fred's book but he already did that. We had a demo at our last club meeting on hand thread chasing. We were not able to slow that lathe down below 5oo but he didn't seem to have any problems. I've watched this done for years and even picked up a set of chasers last year at a sale. After watching my friend George Grooms demonstrate it this last week I'm ready to take on the challenge. George said just lock yourself in the room and don't come out till you have a thread. It took about a half a day for his first really successful box.
Now that I got that out of the way, I have nevertried with tools but I use the Bonnie Klein Jig and I'm very satisfied. If you're not sure, you can get her video on threading where you can see it in action and she shows you how to make your own.
>Allan has a great video on hand thread chasing available from Crafts Supplies.
Allan is a master turner from England who grew up in the trade.
other than in-person training, his video is a wonderful document for hand chasing ... i spent several weeks training under him and learned hand chasing from him, and thus, highly recommend any time working with him.
>Mike, I'm not sure how much actual recording was done. Mostly the cameras were so people could see what was going on from the back. We have a club meeting tomorrow night so I will see what I can find out.
>This may be of some help. A lot cheaper than the commercial ones, and could be made for the price of the shipping on the others...I found this as I was/am having the same thoughts as you as I make boxes too. I am not sure if I have enough years to master hand chasing. I look at Alan Batty and see the finsihed product, not the years it took him to get there. Although a professional turner in our club has offered to make me a good deal on a hand chasing set..
