ThreadExpress, a shop made thread milling attachment.

[Mark Presling]

Back in 2024, I watched a series of YouTube videos by Cliff Hall. Cliff is a toolmaker from New Zealand. Cliff runs a YouTube channel called Threadexpress. He was disclosing some details of a shop made thread milling attachment that could be used on a Bridgeport style milling machine or a horizontal mill. The machine was capable of cutting both internal and external threads in a wide range of pitches. He agreed to let me have the full set of sketches of the mechanism and I in turn agreed to provide him with a set of 2D drawings and a fully rendered 3D model.
In order to do this accurately, I needed to build a new version of Threadexpress which would be called V3.0. This new version of Threadexpress is now complete and I have been using it to cut some threads on project parts. It has some unique features and best of all, you can cut custom thread forms with just a simple shop made flycutter. Because it is manually operated via a 4:1 gear reduction to drive the spindle in which the workpiece is held (in either a 100mm 3 jaw chuck, or an ER32 collet chuck) it is possible to cut threads very close to a shoulder.
I have made a 14 episode YouTube playlist for anyone who might think about building one and Cliff Hall has the full set of 41 drawing sheets available for download via a "buy me a coffee" link on his website https://hallmarkdesign.co.nz/new-threadexpress
The playlist includes nearly all of the machining and finishing processes and also a demonstration of the thread milling process. The first video in the series outlines the scope of the project and a breakdown on the costs and materials required.
Enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...yCXoRFvYWKFJ-n

[DIYer]

Thanks Mark Presling! We've added your Thread Milling Attachment to our Machining category,
as well as to your builder page: Mark Presling's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Thread Milling Attachment by Mark Presling

tags: threading

[Jon]

Congratulations Mark Presling - your thread milling attachment is the Homemade Tool of the Month for May 2025!

This was a very difficult month to win, with many high quality homemade tool builds posted, across a wide variety of disciplines.

However, this is a meticulous and useful build with excellent plans, that also features Mark Presling's homemade spot welder and homemade rivet nut setting tool. The entire series takes over eight hours to watch, but this is more due to the complexity of the build and the attention to detail, than to gratuitous machining footage.

Kudos also to Cliff Hall, whose earlier design of this tool we featured in October 2023, and who has made the comprehensive plans available on his website for a "cup of coffee" donation.

Some more good builds from May:

Oil Funnel Holder by Floradawg
Starter Assistance Circuit by BuffaloJohn
Trailer Unloading Attachment by darus627
Automatic Crossbow by meanwhileinthegarage
Crucible Heating Element Preparation by hemmjo
Fixture Plate by Mook
Tree Root Grubber by Frank S
Liquid Plastic by Kovanca Polock
Horizontal Drilling Bit by Frank S
Bowden Cable Bird Nest Tool by olderdan
Lathe Tool Post Grinder by VuVT Workshop
Nickel Plating Method by Kovanca Polock
Seed Planter by hemmjo
Chainsaw Scabbard Retainer by Don42
Electric Furnace Wiring Modification by hemmjo
Lathe Face Plate by thetoolshed
Pipe Marking Tool by orioncons36
Tire Bead Breaker by 737mechanic
Lathe Camera Mount by mr_modify1
Adjustable Boring Bar Bearings by Frank S
Morse Taper Cleaner by Cascao
Paint Shaker by gatz
Mill Chip Guard by ruxu
Machinist's Hammer by hersch_tool
Indexing Arms by Improvised DIY
Locking Knobs by Make Things
Cordless Tool Station by The Hobby Machinist NZ
Indexing Plates by Improvised DIY
Compact Roller Bender by troyhaack
Way Wipers by Cascao
Scribe by Doug Thompson Metalcraft
Mitered Joint Jig by mklotz
Router Mount by Didpoolhall
Pocket Screw Drilling Fixture by Didpoolhall
Electric Wheelbarrow by Kwandotechnic
Dust Collector Automatic Starting System by The Hobby Machinist NZ
Hand Plane by e_m_maker



Mark Presling - You'll be receiving a $250 cash prize, in your choice of Amazon, PayPal, or bitcoin. Please PM me your current email address and prize choice and I'll get it sent over right away.

And, you'll now notice the four-column award in the awards showcase in your postbit, visible beneath your username:



Nice work