I saw a 1997 article from Pat Warner pop up on FWW regarding using taps to cut threads in wood for machine screws. I’ve done this and it works well, especially in fine grained wood.  A couple of cautions.  

1) Assure you have plenty of threads. A threaded length of 3x the screw diameter is good for face or edge grain. Use 4x for end grain.

2) Prior to threading the screw in, saturate the threads inside the hole with CA glue and hit them with some accelerator. Wait 10 minutes before installing the screw.

3) Hit the screw with a little wax prior to installing. 

The above all but guarantees strong threads that won’t tear out, absent the application of stupid amounts of force. 

DAMHIKT