FETTE F0 thread roller

[RainbowsParticipant @rainbows]

Today for £20 I got a Fette F0-3509 thread roller.

While I have a vague idea that it works a bit like a die head I dont really have a clue how it actually works in practice.

Anyone know where I can find information on using one of these?

Seeing as I cant find a seller or F0 rolling dies (and the dies are so expensive anyway) would it be possible to try and thread toolsteel blanks and make home made rollers?

Finally does anyone know how to identify the thread made by the rollers on the machine at the moment. I checked the serial numbers against Fettis website but found nothing. In the unlikely case anyone knows the serial numbers off by heart this is on the rollers.

78472-1K 54 H5 Nr,28A

or maybe

78472-1K S4 HS Nr,2BA

Not sure tbh, feel like 2BA is correct and might be the thread size but the pitch on the rolls looks like 0.4-0.5mm by eye with a caliper.

[RainbowsParticipant @rainbows]

[Tim StevensParticipant @timstevens64731]

You could get a better idea of the thread pitch by trying screws of known details against the roller as it shows on the outside. When you get a proper fit the thread will tilt around one end until it lies flat, then it will tilt at the other end. if the threads don't match exactly, there will be a gradual rolling action as you tilt the screw, with no obvious central position.

I don't hold out much hope of making your own rollers – There is a good reason why these things are rare and expensive.

Cheers, Tim

Edited By Tim Stevens on 12/03/2017 18:11:54

[RainbowsParticipant @rainbows]

Thanks for the screw idea, will try it out tomorrow. Hope it isn't an odd ball size.

Have a feeling any home made roller would be a long shot. I guess if I can make something that works half or a quarter as good as a commercial one then I will be happy.

[vintagengineerParticipant @vintagengineer]

Thread rollers produce the strongest threads and the smoothest. They are very good for very high volume work as you can use less material due to smaller size bar needed and no swarf.

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

I should think you could make your own rollers from silver steel and then hardened. They are still a commonly used tool for making motorbike and pushbike spokes so I don't think it's rocket science. I'm sure if you dig around in some of those old toolmaking books online or the index to ME you will find some kind of info on any particular quirks you need to know.

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