Gunsmithing Machinists, I need your help.

[jeo556]

I'll save you the details and get down to business. I need to thread 0.136" rod and I have a question.

Can I thread "high speed tool steel" with a hand die?

I can only find the diameter rod that I need in high speed tool steel, otherwise I'd use something different.

Help is appreciated.

 

[cal50]

Re: Machinists, I need your help.

Yes.
(As long as its not already hardened.)

This meaning if its drill rod and NOT reamer blank or cutting tool blank or shank.

 

[duke54]

Re: Machinists, I need your help.

Not likely

 

[LRI]

Re: Machinists, I need your help.

Run a sharp file over it. If it cuts it'l likely thread. If it rings like a church bell or worse-grooves the file then it will have to be annealed or ground.

Good luck

C.

 

[gregt]

Re: Machinists, I need your help.

I'd also recommend you buy a HSS die, a carbon steel one may not do the job on good steel.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Re: Machinists, I need your help.

I would NOT try it as std. dies(Hardware store etc.)and taps are not that hard.
HSS is a type of c/m steel, BTW.
The file is a good way to tell and be sure you are using a good cutting fluid.
Respectfully,
LG

 

[border_reiver]

Re: Machinists, I need your help.

you don't have access to a lathe I reckon? Otherwise, order what you need oversize, turn it, then thread it.

 

[kortik]

Re: Machinists, I need your help.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jeo556</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'll save you the details and get down to business. I need to thread 0.136" rod and I have a question.

Can I thread "high speed tool steel" with a hand die?

I can only find the diameter rod that I need in high speed tool steel, otherwise I'd use something different.

Help is appreciated. </div></div>

If it is annealed, yes. Are you trying to thread 8-32? As an option, you can just buy threaded rod, say, from McMaster Carr. Not sure why you want to use "high speed steel", and not just carbon alloy or stainless. McMaster also sells threaded studs of different length, if you want, or long length bolts (higher hardness).

 

[jeo556]

Re: Machinists, I need your help.

Guess I should have explained the details....

I'm trying to bed a one piece scope base. When I torque the front screws to spec I have a slight gap at the rear.

In order to bed the base I wanted studs that would screw into the top of the reciever to keep the devcon out of the hole in the reciever and scope base.

I was looking at McMaster Carr and the only rod that they sell in the diamter that I need (0.136") is High speed tool steel. Otherwise I'd use something a lot softer so that threading with hnadtools would not be difficult.

In response to your suggestion about threaded rod, no one that I've found has the 6-48 threaded rod that I would need.

From the article that I've read regarding this particular thread size (6-48), it's completely unique to firearms and cannot be found anywhere but the firearms industry.

Thanks for the suggestion though.

 

[kortik]

Re: Machinists, I need your help.

http://www.brownells.com/1/3/6-48-screw

Browells has a set of 3/4" long 6-48.

 

[Tac284]

Re: Machinists, I need your help.

MSC has 3 different types of (stainless) slotted head precision thumb screws in 6-48. Just go to msc.com and type in 6-48 or the above mentioned screw and it will come up. You could use it the way it is or cut the head off if you want.