Originally Posted by
furballi
That's irrelevant as long as there are at least 3-4 good turns for engagement. Feel free to experiment using a tensile testing machine.
Well, you got part of it right, but it doesn't apply to spokes and nipples. Typically it is understood that for maximum strength of a fastener you only need thread engagement equal to the diameter or the screw. Not so when talking about spokes and nipples. You need to have engagement equal to the (spoke) diameter beyond the seat of the nut (nipple.) This will put you close to the screwdriver slot. Below the seat of the nut (nipple) and you have a weak fastener. Anyone know the difference between an engineer and a wheelbuilder? Wheelbuilders don't think they are engineers.