Why righthand threads?

Why righthand threads?

This topic has 6 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 28 July 2026 at 15:49 by JasonB.

Viewing 7 posts - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)

Author

Posts
28 July 2026 at 13:10 #858179
vintagengineer
Participant
@vintagengineer
Why are righthand threads the norm and who decided it?
Advert

28 July 2026 at 13:44 #858213
Bazyle
Participant
@bazyle
Most people are right handed. A stoneage man holding a spear rotates it with four fingers pushing it round rather than anticlockwise driven by just the thumb and the fingers tending to slip off. Try it next time you are killing a mammoth.
28 July 2026 at 14:11 #858221
ega
Participant
@ega
The left is “sinister” ie associated with the dark side. And, as Bazyle suggests, the “Force” is stronger when applied right-handed.
28 July 2026 at 14:13 #858224
noel shelley
Participant
@noelshelley55608
10 out of ten, Bazyle, go to the top of the class – and a spot on answer ! The simple mechanics of the wrist and fingers on the right hand make it the easiest way for most of us ! Noel.
28 July 2026 at 15:00 #858237
JA
Participant
@ja
Why are some people left handed? While the right handed answer makes full sense it seems a little convenient.

JA
28 July 2026 at 15:21 #858244
JA
Participant
@ja
Thinking about this further I am no longer convinced. On either hand I can rotate it in either direction with ease and I am not ambidextrous. I suspect a new born baby, or a little bit older, would have no problems in either direction.

Our model engineering club has a scheme for teenagers to build a useful model. Some of the mentors were surprised that their spacial awareness did not match.

JA
28 July 2026 at 15:49 #858247
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
The force argument does not work when the nut or bolt head is below the item as those who spend their time with their head under a bath or basin will know.

I blame whoever invented the clock otherwise they would not tighten clockwise!
Author

Posts

Viewing 7 posts - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)

Please log in to reply to this topic. Registering is free and easy using the links on the menu at the top of this page.

Code of Conduct

Latest Replies

Viewing 25 topics - 1 through 25 (of 25 total)

- Topic
- Voices
- Posts
- Last Post
- Why righthand threads?
  Started by: vintagengineer in: General Questions
- 6
- 7
- 28 July 2026 at 15:49
  JasonB
- Sealed Lead-Acid Battery
  Started by: Michael Gilligan in: Electronics in the Workshop
- 4
- 9
- 28 July 2026 at 15:17
  duncan webster 1
- It’s A Compressor, Jim, But Not… 1 2
  Started by: Nigel Graham 2 in: General Questions
- 15
- 47
- 28 July 2026 at 14:41
  Grindstone Cowboy
- Basic(?) Milling question
  Started by: paulmichael1084 in: Beginners questions
- 10
- 13
- 28 July 2026 at 14:16
  Bazyle
- Boiler explosion on Guadeloupe.
  Started by: howardb in: The Tea Room
- 6
- 10
- 28 July 2026 at 13:17
  JasonB
- blackgates eng 1 2
  Started by: Peter Daw in: Beginners questions
- 21
- 37
- 28 July 2026 at 12:03
  JasonB
- REXON SS16A scroll saw
  Started by: Michael Gilligan in: Workshop Tools and Tooling
- 4
- 8
- 28 July 2026 at 11:41
  Dennis R
- Is anyone interested in developping a new series of model engines? 1 2 3 4
  Started by: paulmichael1084 in: General Questions
- 20
- 94
- 28 July 2026 at 10:31
  paulmichael1084
- Garden water pump
  Started by: John MC in: The Tea Room
- 12
- 22
- 28 July 2026 at 09:42
  noel shelley
- Latest new addon for FreeCAD!!
  Started by: Russell Eberhardt in: CAD – Technical drawing & design
- 2
- 5
- 28 July 2026 at 08:51
  Russell Eberhardt
- All things Beaver Mill 1 2 … 9 10
  Started by: Robert James 3 in: Manual machine tools
- 43
- 234
- 28 July 2026 at 07:51
  Lex Davis
- Silver Soldering
  Started by: Jss in: General Questions
- 11
- 18
- 27 July 2026 at 23:36
  duncan webster 1
- Bengs kits
  Started by: paul1956 in: Beginners questions
- 5
- 8
- 27 July 2026 at 17:37
  duncan webster 1
- New motor for a Myford super 7
  Started by: Hollowpoint in: Electronics in the Workshop
- 12
- 16
- 27 July 2026 at 17:29
  john fletcher 1
- chester conquest pcb board connections
  Started by: In Wilson in: Introduce Yourself – New members start here!
- 6
- 15
- 27 July 2026 at 13:35
  Hugh Stewart-Smith 1
- Peat-Shaped [ ref. Verdict DTI ]
  Started by: Michael Gilligan in: Workshop Tools and Tooling
- 1
- 1
- 27 July 2026 at 12:40
  Michael Gilligan
- Plug in Solar 1 2 3 4
  Started by: Vic in: The Tea Room
- 28
- 94
- 27 July 2026 at 09:27
  not done it yet
- Super Simplex Build
  Started by: Peter Hoerlein in: Work In Progress and completed items
- 7
- 19
- 27 July 2026 at 06:29
  Peter Hoerlein
- Hobbing a Brass or Aluminium Drive Pulley to Stop Belt Slippage
  Started by: Blue Heeler in: Hints And Tips for model engineers
- 7
- 15
- 27 July 2026 at 00:45
  Blue Heeler
- Long awaited FreeCAD version 1.1 released
  Started by: Russell Eberhardt in: CAD – Technical drawing & design
- 3
- 9
- 26 July 2026 at 15:36
  Russell Eberhardt
- Looking for detailed build logs to help decide next project
  Started by: GrahamS in: Stationary engines
- 4
- 8
- 26 July 2026 at 10:57
  GrahamS
- Deep drilling
  Started by: Speedy Builder5 in: Workshop Techniques
- 12
- 25
- 26 July 2026 at 07:58
  Dalboy
- Buzz Ballz packaging “unrecyclable” in U.K.
  Started by: Michael Gilligan in: The Tea Room
- 6
- 6
- 25 July 2026 at 23:16
  Bazyle
- My week this week! My workshop videos 1 2 … 12 13
  Started by: Phil Whitley in: The Tea Room
- 16
- 325
- 25 July 2026 at 19:23
  Phil Whitley
- Mysterious Morse Tapers
  Started by: Pippin in: Workshop Tools and Tooling
- 10
- 18
- 25 July 2026 at 17:12
  Pippin

Viewing 25 topics - 1 through 25 (of 25 total)

View full reply list.

Latest Issue

August 2026

Buy Latest/Back Issues

Newsletter Sign-up

Latest Replies