I’ve been making Signature Punches for over 35 years. Once or twice a year this drill press, with the addition of a home-made drive train, does duty as an automatic drilling machine. There is more information about the process on the website page “Pin Strip Drilling Machine”.
Author Archives: scobeymoore
Posts about Wooden Screws are now replicated as website pages.
A Brief History of my screw making efforts
The following post gives an overview of the development of the wooden screw making methods I’ve developed. Along with the tools and methods and how they evolved I will provide a more personal story line for those who are interested. Above are the first taps and dies that were made using the 1977 Fine WoodworkingContinue reading “A Brief History of my screw making efforts”
Tap Cutter Geometry
This is my 14th post on the topic of making wooden screws. Most of the main points have been covered and the posts may even give enough information to create your own tooling. If any of the information is confusing or if you have questions please ask; you may provide topics for future posts. TheContinue reading “Tap Cutter Geometry”
Die Cutter Geometry
A die cutter is made from a pair of HSS lathe bit blanks. The blanks are square in cross section and around 2-1/2″ long. 1/4″ square blanks are big enough for my biggest thread, 3 TPI. A larger 2 TPI thread would require 5/16″ blanks. 3/16″ square blanks are good for my 4 TPI threadsContinue reading “Die Cutter Geometry”
Thread Design for Wooden Screws
This post will attempt to explain a method of designing a thread of any size; a necessary step before starting to make the threading tools; tap and die. (1) Choosing a Thread Angle The first step is to decide on the THREAD ANGLE. Many threads in metal and in wood have 60 degree thread angles.Continue reading “Thread Design for Wooden Screws”
Making a Tap part 2
A reply to the comment on the last post. The perforated plywood piece is a sort of ‘adapter plate’ or ‘connecting plate’ used to attach things to the front. As you can see the plate bolts to the tap frame and the numerous holes can be used for screws to fasten things there. These screwsContinue reading “Making a Tap part 2”
Making a Tap.
I have posted previously about my 5 TPI bottoming tap which is pictured here, surrounded by tools and parts that will be used to make a new ‘through hole tap’ having the same thread. Both taps were made from the same 12″ rod of bearing bronze. The rough blank for the new tap is atContinue reading “Making a Tap.”
Truing a blank with the Router Lathe
The router lathe spins the screw blank between centers while a router slowly traverses from right to left, truing the blank. I made this around 1996 for a PBI class at Penland. It wasn’t motorized then so the students had to crank it by hand. The blank is driven at the headstock by a nailContinue reading “Truing a blank with the Router Lathe”
A 5 TPI Bottoming Tap
This is a way of tapping blind holes in order to fit legs to the Multiple Height Press that is described on the website. A large Multiple Height Press clamped in the bottoming tap frame. Tipping the tap 45 degrees makes it easier to use and the shavings can still fall out of the holeContinue reading “A 5 TPI Bottoming Tap”
