Checking My Nuts

[Highpower]

(04-26-2015, 09:38 PM)Dr Stan Wrote: I was taught, back in the stone age, one could engage even threads on any line, numbered or unnumbered.  However, this was using threading dials that were numbered one through four (90 degrees apart) with unnumbered lines half way in between each numbered line.

Odd numbered threads, either on numbered or unnumbered.  Start with a numbered line, continue until finished with a numbered line.  Or start with an unnumbered line and continue with an unnumbered line.

Fractional threads, pick a line and stay with it.  Typically I'll only use the number one line.

Apparently that worked back in the stone age because I'm assuming most all lathes were geared in the same way. That's the way to do it according to the South Bend 'How to Run a Lathe' book that everyone says is a must buy for new lathe owners. I botched a lot of threads in the beginning because of that book. My lathe didn't come with any kind of chart in the owners manual or on the lathe itself either. It took me a long time to figure out the South Bend way doesn't work for my lathe. Some pitches came out fine - some didn't. 

So again I can only assume that my lathe is geared differently in order to be able to cut imperial and metric threads. It would seem that Ed's lathe is also geared differently from mine based on the threading chart on his lathe. The chart that Dave posted works perfectly for mine and I assume for his lathe also. Ed just had to be a rebel I suppose and go with option #3 for his lathe. But I guess we will never know since he isn't talking...