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Threaded fork question

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Old 01-03-05 | 10:54 AM
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Threaded fork question

So I finally found a 1" threaded track fork. But the threads don't go down far enough. I need another inch of threads and it should fit fine. When I took it to the LBS they said they wouldn't do it because it would destroy their tool. Has anyone here ever had threads cut into their fork before. By the way, the fork is NOT chromed.

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Old 01-03-05 | 11:13 AM
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My LBS cut 1" of additional threads in my chromoly fork. It's was tedious but they did it for $10.
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Old 01-03-05 | 11:25 AM
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Originally Posted by Grunk
So I finally found a 1" threaded track fork. But the threads don't go down far enough. I need another inch of threads and it should fit fine. When I took it to the LBS they said they wouldn't do it because it would destroy their tool. Has anyone here ever had threads cut into their fork before. By the way, the fork is NOT chromed.

Thanks.
This is why I finally started buying my own tools and doing my own work. Try another shop.
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Old 01-03-05 | 11:34 AM
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Find the old shop with the retro grouch in the shop. They will have the good old tools and know how to use them.
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Old 01-03-05 | 12:18 PM
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Try another shop.... it's doable. I had mine done for $10.
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Old 01-03-05 | 12:26 PM
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Ditto the advice - I got a 220mm threaded fork cut down to 151 and threaded (die cut) for $15.
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Old 01-03-05 | 12:31 PM
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The shop did not want to do it because they had a "thread chasing die" which is designed to clean up damaged threads and not a "cutting die" which is designed to cut new threads (these are made of harder tool steel and are more expensive).
It is true that cutting threads with a chase die will eventually ruin the tool.
You can call other shops to see if they have the proper tool or buy a cutting die for about $80.
Enjoy
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Old 01-03-05 | 12:34 PM
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It is also possible to use a threadless race and spacers to take up the extra space.
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Old 01-03-05 | 12:34 PM
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Strange that the LBS only charged $10 to do that. Unless they have a large, bench mounted machining tool, cutting an inch of threads probably caused a lot of wear on their tool. A cutter such as the Park Fork Threading Set FTS-1 is typically used for chasing threads or adding a couple of mm, not extensive cutting. Maybe your shop replaces dies a lot or doesn't do this process often. Those tools are pretty expensive.

Last edited by Ira in Chi; 01-03-05 at 12:40 PM.
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Old 01-03-05 | 12:43 PM
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They're probably not cutting a ton of new threads all the time. Besides if they use cutting oil properly, I'd imagine they could cut new threads or chase threads for more than enough customers to make up the cost of the tool.
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Old 01-03-05 | 02:08 PM
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Originally Posted by BlastRadius
They're probably not cutting a ton of new threads all the time. Besides if they use cutting oil properly, I'd imagine they could cut new threads or chase threads for more than enough customers to make up the cost of the tool.
Yeah you're probably right. I understand why a mechanic wouldn't want to do it though, especially if they didn't have the right die. In some ways it makes them a more reputable shop, because they know enough to use the proper tools. If one of those dies gets really worn it will cut bad threads that will just mess up a steer tube.

What you should really do is use the right fork, and only resort to cutting new threads if it is impossible to find one that fits as-is.
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Old 01-03-05 | 02:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Ira in Chi
What you should really do is use the right fork, and only resort to cutting new threads if it is impossible to find one that fits as-is.
True that.

Plus the squealing sound the die makes while cutting is like fingernails on a chalkboard. I'm surprised they didn't charge extra for making all the wrenches in the place endure that
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Old 01-06-05 | 02:50 PM
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Thanks. I found a place to do it. They cut the threads, charged me a bunch, and my bike is rolling again. Too bad its -6 degrees outside.

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Old 01-06-05 | 02:53 PM
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that's a sweet looking fork, i like the orange crown.
where'd you find it?
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Old 01-06-05 | 03:12 PM
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Someone was selling it on the Old Skool Track message board. Its a Croll track fork. No brake hole and interesting lug. The fork was yellow when I got it, and said "Croll" down the sides. I colored the bottom black with a Sharpie. Hahaha. I'm painting it for real once it warms up a little.
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Old 01-06-05 | 05:22 PM
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oh, ****. that's my old fork. glad you like it.
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Old 01-09-05 | 10:41 AM
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You can even get threads cut into chrome if you have someone who knows what they're doing. I had a chromed recumbent fork I needed to add threads to . The guy (an independent who works out of his house and knows more about bike wrenching than all the LBSs put together) sanded the chrome off first then cut the threads. Wasn't cheap. But cheaper than a new fork.
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Old 01-09-05 | 06:07 PM
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I just have to say that that whole bike is pretty sweet looking.

I'm a sucker for a nice white bike.
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Old 01-09-05 | 06:20 PM
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i use 48 hole bmx voxomhubs at my fixie i fixed the gear with 8 4mm bolts at the
hub it works but it dosent look very fine
has anybody an idea?
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Old 01-09-05 | 06:34 PM
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Um, start a new thread, maybe?
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