The Steel Guitar Forum

Mike,
I've also purchased from this place that offers threaded rod and pipe:

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl= ... s%26sa%3DG

It only shows sizes down to 10-32, but offers custom work so who knows? You can also find most taps and dies individually or in small sets; I don't have anything other than metric here smaller than a 6-32 or I'd throw it in an envelope and mail it to you - sorry!

John

Hey Mike,
To make things even more confusing concerning stainless being non-magnetic. 400 grade stainless IS magnetic! 200 and 300 grades are not. Auto makers use 400 grade above the salt line, and 300 grade below the salt line.

dick cochran

Nothing like a little more confusion, Dick. At this point, I probably wouldn't even notice it.

A welding store is the way to go. I went to one to get steel rods for the lowers on my push/pull and since I only need 2 the guy just gave them to me, which was great. Nice Dekley, by the way. I have a D10 that I absolutely love. I've wondered about making rods, but I don't know how to put the threads on the rod. Is it something I can do in my apartment, or do I need a machine shop?

Gabriel

Gabriel,

Threading the rod is easy by hand, although the rod will need to be firmly clamped in a vise or some other way.
A manual die (sized to the rod/thread size you desire) and die wrench plus some light machine oil will get it done.
On the other hand if you know someone with a shop
and the right tools it may be cheaper, faster & will be more precise.

John

Mike, I just got back from Phoenix welding. I bought a pound of 1/8 stainless rod (8 rods) for about $14. The brand is pinnacle alloys. The stock Number isER316L.

Thanks John.

Gabriel

In the research I've done lately this is what I have found. I found this on a chart in a machine shop. For a 1/8 diameter rod the correct thread size is 5-40. For a 7/64 rod the correct thread size is a 3-48. I believe thread size on my MSA rods is 6-32 Any opinions on this?

Tom, what rod size did the 6-32 relate to? It seems to me it would be really close to 1/8th. And I seem to remember someone saying that the smaller thread-per-inch made for better fine tuning.

Sure would like to find a chart like that...would clear up some mystery. ha! Any machinists out there have a web site to recommend?

MSA rods are 1/8" (.125), and thread size is 5-40. You can do a 6-32 thread on 1/8" rod, but it will be a very crappy (loose and rough) thread.

Donny, what would be the correct rod size for the 6-32 thread?

I'm working on a Zum at present. I just made up some pull rods out of 1/8" stainless and a 6-32 tap works out just great.
Erv

Mike, for 6-32 thread you can use 9/64" rod, which measures .1406". That a couple thousandths over the #6 major thread diameter, but as close to a "standard size" as you can get.

Tom, 3-48 is a very rare size. I don't know of any steel manufacturers that use it. Emmons uses 7/64" rod, and they thread it 4-40. That's only a couple of thou off, so it works pretty well.

Erv, probably the only reason that you're having success with 1/8" rod threaded to 6-32 is that you're using standard nylon tuning nuts, which are usually unthreaded when new. If you put a standard (metal) 6-32 nut on that rod, you'll see immediately notice how sloppy the fit is.

Here's what I've got. I'll try to post the whole chart or e-mail it to anybody who wants it. First is the thread size then the Diameter of the body for threads. 3-48 .099, 4-40 .112,5-40 .125, 6-32 .138. I picked up both the 3-48 and 5-40 dies at Marshall tool here in Phoenix. You can get them fro McMaster-Carr also. The 3-48 is just right for 3/32 rod. I've run into a dead end on the 7/64 rod as that is not a standart TIG welding rod size. Anybody have a source?

McMaster Carr www.mcmaster.com has the stainless welding rods, in the right length (much cheaper than the 'raw materials' stainless as well!!)... It's been a while, but it used to be around $10 for a pack of 10 rods, 1/8" x 3ft long .... they also would carry the die you need to thread your own

Just to bring you all up to date.....

I bought a couple 6 ft., type 416, stainless rods, the 5-40 die and the stock (handle) from McMaster-Carr. Terrific prices and unbelieveably fast shipping. I really should have bought a few more rods because the shipping for that 6 foot tube was high and extra rods wouldn't have raised it, but live and learn, right? Also, I found out that type 303 would have been a better choice for the rods, but 416 is OK.

Again, thanks to everyone for all the help. I'm a dummy when it comes to metalurgy and machine shop stuff.

This sure proved the value of this forum....friends helping friends. Ya gotta love it...I know I do!!