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I like to convert mechanisms to hand-cranked wood models for kids to learn and play with. Before the virus, I would take my 50+ wood models to public shows several times a year and often the adults had as much fun as the kids.

The challenge for me on this project was making the wood threads on the block that drives the scissors. In the early 80s I bought a 3/4" inch Conover threading kit with a tap and die block. Back in the 80s I failed miserably trying to cut threads and put the kit away in storage.

A few weeks ago I went to YouTube and found a very interesting video where the guy was making 2.5 inch diameter threads in Maple. He said there were 2 secrets to making external wood threads. Number 1 secret was soaking the maple in Mineral Oil for 6 days before threading. The 2nd secret was using coconut oil as a lubricating oil to better remove the chips. Here is a link to that Youtube video.

So I special ordered some 3/4" maple dowels, and soaked them 7 days in mineral oil. I glued a cap onto a piece of 1.5 inch diameter PVC and made a wood base to hold it upright.

Interesting story on my 1 gallon of Mineral Oil. A couple years ago I went to a Farm & Fleet store to buy some Mineral Oil. I went to the paint department, the lady working there said there was none in the paint department, but she used to work in the livestock department, and she took me over there and I found 1 gallon jugs….....labelled to be used as a cow laxative :)

Before threading, I pulled out the V-shaped steel cutter from the threading block…....and after 38 years in storage, there was some rust on the 2 shiny parts of the cutter…...imagine that :) I used the honing stone that came with the kit, plus some honing oil, to lap or sharpen the blade.

I was finally able to make perfect external threads, as shown in the photo with the No. 2 pencil.

I did not use coconut oil while threading. I brushed on mineral oil as I cut the thread, and the curly chips came out nicely from the wood threader box. Maybe the big chips from 2.5 inch threads benefit more from the coconut oil.

I made a YouTube video of the model in action. You can see the model in action using this link.


This was a fun, but challenging project.

To see all the details of how I designed and built this model, see my woodworking web site using this link.

Thanks :)

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That is awesome

- woodbutcherbynight
Thanks !!

There were plenty of learning experiences designing and building that model :)
 

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1,434 Posts
You make such fun looking machines. Well done.
 

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1,558 Posts
Very clever sir and a whole heap of work!
 

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2,671 Posts
How did I miss this cool project!!!
Well done!!!
 

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How did I miss this cool project!!!
Well done!!!

- htl
Thanks! Figuring out to make the wood threads was the most challenging part of the project :)
 
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