Replies

1. 
   IrishWood | May 26, 2003 11:43pm | #1

   I have only seen the wood taps and dies in sizes 1/2" and larger. I wanted to use a 1/4" on a past project.

2. 
   SCFrankland | May 27, 2003 05:22pm | #2

   The largest one I have seen is 1/2".  Don't think they come any smaller.

   Scott C. Frankland

3. 
   JohnWW | May 27, 2003 06:35pm | #3

   Jim,

   A threaded dowel any smaller than a 1/2 inch would have fragile threads, so that is the smallest size made to my knowledge.  You can use a metal tap to thread wood in smaller sizes but you won't be able to create a threaded wood dowel to match that would be of any practical use.  

   Beall Tool Co. is the company best known for wood threading tools.  You might contact them about getting something smaller than a 1/2 inch, which is the smallest size in their catalog.

   The coarsest 3/8 inch diameter thread is 3/8-16 which is commonly available.  With metal bolts a 3/8 thread in wood is quite strong.  To create stronger threads in wood, you can use metal inserts or helicoils.

   John W.

1. 
   JimBennett | May 27, 2003 11:44pm | #4

   Thanks, I was looking for a particular size (3/8s 8TPI) to replace a missing knob on an old Stanley plane. I ended up dragging out my metal lathe and turning one.