5/8-18 die with stainless?

kcm.MN

Well-known Member
Location
NW Minnesota
I need to make some 5/8" dia shafts for homemade projects that have to be exposed to the elements. Wanting to go with stainless. Need to thread at least one end of each rod, but would prefer both ends.

Is it any more difficult to cut threads on stainless vs. carbon steel? Go heavy with the cutting oil?
 
SAE 303 stainless is considered free machining. It is probably the easiest corrosion resistant material. A pro product called Tap Magic is the stuff
to use, not oil. Jim
 
The 347 stainless is pretty hard, but still machinable.

I agree with the Tap Magic, be sure it is the stainless formula.

Stainless can be difficult to thread with a die. It tends to stick and rip out the threads. If you can, practice before cutting it to length, be sure it does work. Go slow, back and forth, keep the chips cleaned out of the die. Being a harder grade could be an advantage.
 
How long do you need them to be??? I buy Stainless steel ready rod from www.boltdepot.com. Not too bad of a price. If they do not have the size you want try www.zoro.com. They will.
 
Get a new good quality die from a vendor that sells cutting tools to machine shops. As noted by Steve@Advance stainless will stick and pullout making rough threads. An old die likely be dull to start and cause you more issues than you want.
 
What some guys do is to use a lathe to cut the threads, but not to full depth. The run the die over it, makes a nice clean thread that way, and
it?s easier on the die.
 
(quoted from post at 02:18:46 09/17/18) SAE 303 stainless is considered free machining. It is probably the easiest corrosion resistant material. A pro product called Tap Magic is the stuff
to use, not oil. Jim

the only problem with 303 is that it is not all that rust proof. Probably good enough for a home or barn application. Time will tell.
 

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