Thread repair on the lathe: Picking up threads on the lathe. How to reengage threads on a bolt

Thread repair on the lathe: Picking up threads on the lathe. How to reengage threads on a bolt. When you lose your position on a threading job or just need to pick up a thread for repair on the lathe, This is the easy way to do it. Anyone with an Atlas, Craftsman, Southbend, Logan or any other lathe with threading capability can do this.

[@melgross]

Don, I’ve used a thread file on a lathe. Reverse the spindle, touch the file (with the teeth facing you) to the threads past the problem area, and it will thread itself over the damaged area and right off the end without a problem. You don’t need a tail to firm the part in place for this. It’s quick, and works pretty well. Not quite as nice as rethreading it the way you did, but works in a pinch. I advise people to get a set of these files. They’ve saved my butt a number of times.

[@donsengine3158]

Hey Mel, yes I've tried that before. Usually by the time I get to the lathe though, I've messed with the file out on the equipment before i get fed up enough to actually go over to the lathe. But yes absolutely, that is an option. Don

[@jeremycable51]

Biggest thing most people miss when it comes to doing this you got to make sure your backlash is taken out of the half nuts most lathes it’s not a real big deal but some lathes have more than 15-20 tho and then it can make a major difference

[@donsengine3158]

Absolutely right. That's why its always good to be double checking even when you think its spot on. Don

[@kentuckytrapper780]

Good info Don, thanks.

[@donsengine3158]

Thanks KT. Don

[@russellhunter6341]

Too funny, nice job Don,,,,

[@donsengine3158]

Thanks Russ. I heard that you're a heck of a Dad. Especially from that older boy of yours. The smarter good looking one. So I hope you have a deserved happy fathers day. Don

[@floridaflywheelersantiquee7578]

Good info thanks for sharing

[@donsengine3158]

Always... 4 more months to go..... Don

[@perdidocamaronero5400]

You sure don't want somebody looking over your shoulder when you are doing this. I have enough trouble concentrating when I am all alone.

[@donsengine3158]

Hah ha... I you may be right about that... Don

[@aguycalledlucas]

Thanks Don. Haven’t had to do this operation before but it’s good to watch someone else do it.

[@donsengine3158]

You'll get your chance Lucas. We all do. Thanks for watching. Don

[@aguycalledlucas]

@@donsengine3158 Don, in one of your videos you used a tool I have not seen before. It looked like a wire holder for soldering. I searched on Amazon thinking it was a popular tool that I may have missed but couldn’t find it. Where did you buy it? It looks useful.

[@donsengine3158]

@@aguycalledlucas I think you must mean the third hand wire soldering tool sold by Matco tools. I bought it off the Matco tool truck a few years ago. I don't know if anyone else has them. I just found it on their site www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/EZSOLD/e-z-solder-clamp/ Don

[@aguycalledlucas]

@@donsengine3158 wow never seen anything like it before. It's definitely pricey. I'm going to keep a look out for this thing. I think I may need to own one.

[@donsengine3158]

@@aguycalledlucas Ya, good tools are pricey, but speed up your work immensely. There may be a cheaper version floating around somewhere. You should do a deep dive and see. Don