• This Forum is for adults 18 years of age or over. By continuing to use this Forum you are confirming that you are 18 or older. No content shall be viewed by any person under 18 in California.

Best Threading Tool

Bully

Silver $$ Contributor
I'm tooling up to thread and chamber my own rifles. I'm looking for recommendations on threading tools. I will be threading from 28tpi to 16tpi regularly. I'd love a tool that can handle both of those pitches if possible but if not please recommend 2 tools. I will be doing both inside and outside threads.

I will be cutting both carbon and stainless and will be doing most of my work at slow speeds.

I have an Aloris QCTP that can accommodate 1/2" shank tooling.

I'm looking for recommendations on holders as well. Not just inserts.

I don't forsee myself threading inside 1/2-28 but that's a cool little tool. Mostly I'll be threading inside actions for truing.

I also will not be grinding my own tooling. Not gonna happen. I don't have the skillset at this point to undertake that kind of challenge. All threading will be done with insert tooling.
Thanks in advance.
 
Last edited:
I'm tooling up to thread and chamber my own rifles. I'm looking for recommendations on threading tools. I will be threading from 28tpi to 16tpi regularly. I'd love a tool that can handle both of those pitches if possible but if not please recommend 2 tools. I will be doing both inside and outside threads.
I will be cutting both carbon and stainless and will be doing most of my work at slow speeds.
I have an Aloris QCTP that can accommodate 1/2" shank tooling.
Thanks in advance.
Carmex ER16 inserts.

Adam
 
You've opened a Pandora's box. Everyone has their opinions on this. Ask 5 machinists what the best threading setup is and you'll get 6 answers.

FWIW, I use full profile carbide threading inserts for everything but 1/2x28 internal which is too small for my smallest threading holder. I have a custom ground HSS for 1/2x28 internal.

WBRekChPz15O35q-nNfsKA2gCvhbQZhqlMq46GlyVuIxuanFvJ-Ic8A8GYfjLDZygMxCC2lhLkCx9dxe3NMH9dg-x0_w9TAL3iEN5LzqcBMpZsrLA0kzJBVO_6NZ_wO7KakRgJLuFgBTLh_1OYZTW-PN1F4bFN4Q9uC5VV4lI9vY1088bOfU7kvJtTYwcYNQDOvCrk7pS2DNVA6jf8ZC882QF__NVfypwTlpxTCPdn4bYHtksu4hQDG2a5ubGfAFMRL1LdpCnsCDVqSkksFlGIlF_HlmrhMKHGmgGKLZ__aCpOgT1SRWYNEcixR88TeNmedwCSJhLTQBn9LeAVxyaVEOsOvTjfK4KTqs4yKrXGfrSNjTMTGJ6oOVMosY4b-4ReeAz_YTeKDXXztYLX-MX1w_9NtfpNHHxRI1wmqLxifSXLadYngbvNcyP5I3kdh6xkFPC-AJ_Kp42fXomLhu8trIGI9sks8YvJcFGEmamK6l9debkoMEipVf2cGcoaskAz986H4a275A0VMlCGjZVXOm5dn3AZsIRU-j8PfR7Q5wUU42PED_ZFCRZsGBkDcBuTm4DRWTF1xFf4AxECYrOXul2ntqV3XciIpM8DwA07J4OLo08iX0Ck62kfctfXRNPF9XfKZRPRDOMlQ0ma39aitmdMibxkUWMQ=w1024


GMMuTBxwD49IA81hCnhFthHHcptJnThFTMgvCv_SqEG-UPOanIJSvbwoUkpkRTPRuaonJWK_hfbjA620NN50YVj5yYsykFr6yxv4yuyylGVbLC2M5VuhJHkMwapxRzaxO4SARoe0nCouOpZ16BusVU-NYQAc3hm2pLgNTsCUz8WLPXsXnDfMahllsY2tuicLC7SyW0FuIstNerB9is3vmIIqM-yFMHSITZcWJU5vHn_a8ny6gWFgJcD7DCyQmHqnY5HLMTtvpDoNIna6s2qGaojigpTbC97VKG2GAJsPV0D6-bn2UCLtY7y8KbSlZ0qJdBjq0MIvYSE6ofQ1yUap1mAEWij5IHGuAWaRoi_t7uwiVY48-cjTWc6VUdovNXoEaXpOnZ56ibJjQKP7t9Oq0TYvH4mF3EbAFkgkz_ErdVz5ZgAKc-wxMYWwrK_EVY4wvtT3pPmgFwuNxF7Sw5UyoNGb8aco3_bIt7yR1iLVBkJHnqSM42VgHAARXP7gl8UeAmsRI_PP4fYDyVUnlv6nnruKldEfUvTTGCfk5F8i1TM8Y_2cXTwJbStcOU0mS6G9HEP8vhW5j2URcj8XLw7qr45xe3RXToBq0LAD_IsdWboHhhBYQvbtlQnPyLaWwxGGVEWJlPsmLC7RWLw6Zk0-WgdSZML5ZcUpkA=w1024
 
I have had the best results with a Kennametal Top Notch holder for outside threading. You can get a insert with a positive cutting angle, NTP2R, it gives me a really nice finish on barrels.
I would suggest looking at a lay down insert bar for internal threading. To thread a 1/2" internal thread you are going to need a really small bar.
I prefer a partial profile inserts so you don't need an insert for every pitch.
This is the style of external threading holder I use.
I will see if I can get a pic of the internal bar.
Joe Hynes
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20171229_55973.jpg
    IMG_20171229_55973.jpg
    17.8 KB · Views: 135
A 3/8" bar that takes a 11IR insert needs a minimum bore of about .475".
You can get inserts in 6,8,11,16 and bigger.
You can get a couple different size bars that accept the same size insert which is very convenient.
Joe
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_20180114-191148.png
    Screenshot_20180114-191148.png
    430 KB · Views: 70
A 3/8" bar that takes a 11IR insert needs a minimum bore of about .475".
You can get inserts in 6,8,11,16 and bigger.
You can get a couple different size bars that accept the same size insert which is very convenient.
Joe

Thanks Joe.
Again, I won't be threading inside 1/2". I'll be threading inside actions.
 
I have some HSS I have ground myself to. It just takes a lot of time getting it right, and when your just starting out you already have a lot of things to figure out.
You can get a insert tool and be up and threading immediately. Especially internal threading.
I was down this same road a few years ago and had the same questions.
Joe Hynes
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20171229_1352.jpg
    IMG_20171229_1352.jpg
    30.3 KB · Views: 146
I have bought several er16 full profile threads bits on ebay for $15-20ea
I cant remember which it is,but there is a grade of carmex brand carbide just for slow speed in SS. I picked up about 5. 1/2" er16 threading holders ($8 shipped from china, $40+from US resaler of same part)and electro penciled the thread pitch into each tool.
 
I'm tooling up to thread and chamber my own rifles. I'm looking for recommendations on threading tools. I will be threading from 28tpi to 16tpi regularly. I'd love a tool that can handle both of those pitches if possible but if not please recommend 2 tools. I will be doing both inside and outside threads.

I will be cutting both carbon and stainless and will be doing most of my work at slow speeds.

I have an Aloris QCTP that can accommodate 1/2" shank tooling.

I'm looking for recommendations on holders as well. Not just inserts.

I don't forsee myself threading inside 1/2-28 but that's a cool little tool. Mostly I'll be threading inside actions for truing.

I also will not be grinding my own tooling. Not gonna happen. I don't have the skillset at this point to undertake that kind of challenge. All threading will be done with insert tooling.
Thanks in advance.
Vardex
 
I got a Mesa. I don't use it much thought. The problem is....the insert just hangs way out with no support to the insert. Get an AR Warner threading kit. I use the AR threading tool, but use carbide inserts instead of HSS for longevity.
This is why I'm asking. Thank you.
Which AR Warner would you recommend?
 
I'm old school, grind my own HSS bits for just about everything BUT if I was going to go the insert route, I'd go with the Warner system. I like the idea of the inserts being HSS. If you're going to make HSS bits for internal threading, it helps to have a surface grinder.

I'm with Chuck on the MESA. Bad design in my opinion.
 

Upgrades & Donations

This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.


Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.

You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.


To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.

Forum statistics

Threads
165,938
Messages
2,206,416
Members
79,220
Latest member
Sccrcut8
Back
Top