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Tapping Threads

15K views 13 replies 11 participants last post by  nobuckle 
#1 ·
Tapping Threads

http://blip.tv/play/h%2BIrgu2GQAA.html?p=1http://a.blip.tv/api.swf#h+Irgu2GQAA

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During the construction of my Split-Top Roubo Workbench (which is nearing completion), I was surprised to see Benchcrafted's plans calling for numerous tapped threads. Instead of attaching the various components of the leg vise using screws or bolts with nuts, they actually recommend cutting threads into the wood! I certainly understood the concept of tapping threads, but I never really considered applying it to woodworking. After picking up some taps and cutting a few myself, I am now a convert! I can just imagine the possibilites in the world of jig-building alone!

Before learning to tap threads, I thought it would be helpful to review other types of mechanical fasteners and why they might not be as good as a bolt in a threaded hole.

Nails
Nails are pretty much a brute-force way of holding things together. The nail is driven into the wood, splitting and compressing fibers the whole way. Over time, natural forces cause the wood around the nail to compress even further eventually leading to joint failure.

Screws
A step up from a nail is the screw. When you rotate the screw into the wood, it pulls itself in and threads itself into the fibers. The good thing about screws is they are removable, but over the course of years the cut threads become wider and wider and the screw will eventually loosen up.

Threaded Bolts
This is the star of our show today. Once the threads are cut into the wood, you can pretty much remove and replace the bolt as many times as you want and it really doesn't do any damage to the wood. This is because the bolts threads are sized perfectly to fit into the threads that are cut into the wood. So this is perfect for applications where you may need to loosen and tighten components on a routine basis.

Tapping Threads
All you need to make a threaded hole is a drill bit and a tap. The drill has to be a very specific size and and you can typically find drills and taps in matched sets such as this one. If you need help matching up your bolt, drill, and tap, refer to the handy charts on this page.

Here's how the system works. The drill bit is used to create the perfect size hole. The tap is then driven into the hole cutting the threads on its way down. You have to be very careful not to strip the threads during this part of the process but in a dense hardwood like maple, you should have no trouble at all. While you might be tempted to use a traditional T-handled wrench for this, I found it much easier to use a power drill at a very slow speed.

Tee Nuts
One alternative that we can't forget to mention here is the Tee Nut. These little threaded inserts accomplish the same thing as the threaded bolt technique only instead of actually cutting threads, we simply insert a threaded insert into a hole. They are very easy to use but unfortunately, the way they connect to a workpiece leaves a little to be desired. Over time, the small teeth that go into the wood fibers can break or the wood itself can compress, causing the Tee Nut to lose its grip. So while they can get the job done, I don't really see them as a good long-term solution.
 
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#3 ·
Ihave been using cut threads in hardwoods for years. Make sure you use USS not SAE thread pitch in wood though. The only problem I find is that standard mill taps are somewhat short. I would like more threads in wood sometimes. I have been mounting casters for years with direct threads and bolts through the flanges. I use 1/4-20 or 5/16-18 bolts
 
#4 ·
Hi Mark,

Hey did you ever get the Ebony Crib? ;-)

You sure looked excited in the video here on tapping threads into wood. I've never tried it yet but will certainly do so when able. I thought for sure without a doubt the threads in wood would strip under light torque. The scrap you used in the demo held very well.

What would you think/suggest as the minimum depth for threading? Do you think it would work on 3/4" stock? I'd guess it works better on hard woods like maple better than cedar.

Cheers
 
#5 ·
Are you talking about a submitted project? If so, welcome to the back log. :)

As for minimum depth, I have no clue. I am very new to this myself and just wanted to share the technique for others to explore. It should work in any thickness stock and you'll probably have better success with harder woods. Also, end grain probably won't hold as well as side/face grain.
 
#8 ·
Interesting idea. The only time I have tapped threads in wood, I made some blocks for my grandson's Cub Scout troop. I took 2×3x3/4 inch blocks and drilled a hole in the center of the face. I tapped a 5/16-18 hole and put a bolt in it. It used chalk on the threads. They wanted to make bird chirpers. When you turned the bolt in and out of the block it sounded like a song bird chirping. I got the idea for the chalk from turkey calls that use chalk.
This seems to work nicely. I have been in a manufacturing environment where I watched people using air powered drill motors to drive a taps. They really do a job but when one breaks you need to have safety gear in place.
 
#9 ·
That's a great idea Marc. I have been designing around the use of threaded inserts all this time and never imagined that I could have simply tapped the wood itself. Do you know if there are any practical limits to this approach, like bolts should be at least 1/4" diameter or so?

P.S. You look like you could use some sleep. Hope you and your family are doing well.
 
#10 ·
The technique is very new to me so I really don't have any guidelines. The Benchcrafted kit included numerous bolts of various sizes and they all seemed to thread in nicely. But I am sure there are limitations.
 
#11 ·
Congrats on the baby. Your life will be forever changed and I don't mean simpler. Been following you since you started your Woodwhisperer podcasts. Great information mixed with your sense of humor. Good seeing your build over on Charles Neil's web site. Question, Any kind of lubrication, wax, grease, etc. needed to cut crisp threads? How does humidity affect the threaded holes if left empty? Don
 
#12 ·
Thanks very much Don. The baby has indeed made life a lot more complicated, :).

As for lubrication, I would say some wax would go a long way in helping this process. As for humidity, I'm sure it would have an effect. But being new to the process, I dont have much experience to draw from. I guess we'll find out over time. :)
 
#13 ·
@ Al, I didn't need that image. Thanks buddy.

I use this method on a much smaller scale-mitre bars for table saw jigs and such. I try to cut the mitre bar as close as I can and then use set screws to fine tune the adjustment. I drill and tap the holes, and then put a little super glue in the threads (with out the set screw, of course), let it dry and then adjust away. So far, it has worked like a charm.

Congratulations on the birth of your little leech. As R.E.M. sang: 'It's the end of the world as [you] know it."

Greg
 
#14 ·
Mark, thanks for the post. I've been using taps to thread holes in wood for quite some time. I am often able to apply techniques I've learned as a toolmaker to wood working. One thing I've learned is that it is better to tap hardwoods rather than softwoods. Another tricky issue is making sure that you are tapping the hole staight. This is best accomplished when tapping holes as you did in the video. It may not be that easy in a thinner piece of material where the threaded hole goes all the way through. In cases like these it is best to use a guide of some sort that you know is perfectly square. This way you can check to make sure that your tapping the hole at a perfect 90 degrees.
 
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