Die Thread Size 6-40 For 1/8" Rod

[David Neslony]

For a 1/8" diameter rod use a

#6-40 UNC / UNF die/thread size

[Bobby D. Jones]

For pull rods used on steel guitars, I have found I/8" rod, 6-40 thread, I have an adjustable die I tighten to .125 outside dia. Mullen, MSA rods.
7/64" rod. 5-40 thread, Emmons E-clip rods.
3/32" rod. 4-40 thread, GFI
I made some Nylon tuning nuts for a forum member, He wanted them drilled for 2-56 thread, I think it was an old hand built guitar with bicycle spokes for pull rods.

And then there are some pull rods and pedal rods that are Roll Threaded, And they are an odd oversize diameter. 1/2 thread height shoved into rod, 1/2 thread height raises from pressure.

Grab the micrometer or dial caliper, And measure, When working on a pedal steel guitar rods.

[Donny Hinson]

Don't "cheap out" when threading 1/8" rod. Buy a 5-40 button die and be done with it. The finer thread (40tpi vs. 32tpi) makes for better fine tuning, and it matches wht most builders use on 1/8" rod. I have, in a pinch, used a 6-32 die on 1/8" rod, but that was only because I had some 3/16" steel locknuts that would work with it. I still advise others to go with the 5-40.

[Bobby D. Jones]

The MSA guitars I played and worked on had 6-40 threads. I bought the 6-40 adjustable die, So I could duplicate the MSA threads.
Now I am making new rods for a Mullen and it has the same threads.

[Mike DiAlesandro]

Different size dies for rod diameter, AND , what the builder originally used.

Basically though what Bobby Jones posted.

ZB - 6-40 left and right hand threads on pull rods and turnbuckles. 6-32 on changer rod tapped w/tuning screw on endplate is one example.

Most 7/64" rods are threaded at 5-40 for the nylon tuning nuts.

I've seen 3/32" rods threaded at 4-40 often.