rethreading broken mic stand?

[IvanMike]

so i have one of those ubiquitous mic stands with the threaded end and the cast iron round base. as usual, the threaded end of the stand snapped off inside the base. removing that peice is a snap but i'm wondering if there is a standard thread size and diameter that i can just buy a die (ithink that's the term) to cut new threads in the stand part.

seems silly to buy a whole new stand for what looks like you could fix it yerself.

[Getaway Driver]

Weld it!

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Just an educated guess, the thread was the same on both ends of the stand?

In that case 3/8 UNC.

If it wasn't, take the stub with You, and buy the matching die from a hardware store.

Originally Posted by Getaway Driver

Weld it!

Weld steel to cast iron???

While it can be done, and I have done so out of curiosity, that's one of the most misinformed answers in a long time.

Regards
Sam

[Jefenator]

Looks just shy of 7/8" on the stand that I got here. (Maybe 27/32" with shallow, fine-pitch threading.)

I'll be curious to hear if the correct die is readily available & costing less than a new stand. If the hardware store doesn't have it, maybe try a machinist?

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by Jefenator

Looks just shy of 7/8" on the stand that I got here. (Maybe 27/32" with shallow, fine-pitch threading.)

I'll be curious to hear if the correct die is readily available & costing less than a new stand. If the hardware store doesn't have it, maybe try a machinist?

i thought the same thing........i wonder if a cheaper fix could be to remove the thread area and fasten the mike clip to the stand by drilling thru the clip and stand and run a stove bolt thru both

[ggunn]

Originally Posted by Jim Campbell

i thought the same thing........i wonder if a cheaper fix could be to remove the thread area and fasten the mike clip to the stand by drilling thru the clip and stand and run a stove bolt thru both

His stand is broken off at the base end, not at the mic clip.

[IvanMike]

as an experiment, i'm also wondering if i can use a pipe wrench or something similar to turn the stand portion (which has a remaining thread or 2) into the base to use the base as a die. I think the stand part is aluminum and the base is cast iron. whatever the metals, the base is much harder than the tubular stand.

thoughts?

[T-Bird]

Hi.

So the thread is in the OD of the post, not in a separate insert then.

You can try using the base as a die, but make a slot or two in the thread to cut the thread, rather than rolling it.

Rolling the thread won't probably work, and You have to have some steel support on the inside of the tube if you're going to use pipe wrench anyway.

Regards
Sam

[Pilgrim]

Originally Posted by IvanMike

as an experiment, i'm also wondering if i can use a pipe wrench or something similar to turn the stand portion (which has a remaining thread or 2) into the base to use the base as a die. I think the stand part is aluminum and the base is cast iron. whatever the metals, the base is much harder than the tubular stand.

thoughts?

No, not going to work. I agree that the base is harder than the stand, but you will absolutely ruin the stand with tool marks by exerting the force required to thread it in - IF you can, which I sincerely doubt. Also, that iron isn't nearly as hard as you think. If you try to screw it on, my bet is that you will either destroy the threads in the base...or ruin the bottom of the stand.

Why not just buy a new stand? Your time has value.

[Beej]

I agree with Pilgrim, a die needs to be made of significantly harder material than the material its cutting ie tungsten, and it also has non-contiguous threads in order to do the cutting. You should be able to find a die that works, I highly doubt any manufacturer would go to the expense and trouble of having a custom sized diameter and/or thread pitch. Its likely a standard pipe die...

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Originally Posted by Beej

I agree with Pilgrim, a die needs to be made of significantly harder material than the material its cutting ie tungsten, and it also has non-contiguous threads in order to do the cutting. You should be able to find a die that works, I highly doubt any manufacturer would go to the expense and trouble of having a custom sized diameter and/or thread pitch. Its likely a standard pipe die...

The dies and taps are not made out of tungsten, that would be a bit expensive to say the least .
A small amount of tungsten in a steel alloy, yes.
A tungsten carbide, yes, but not tungsten as is.

The bold part hasn't been true for ages. Since the outside thread of this kind is easy and fast enough to do in a lathe with any tpi or lead imaginable, and special thread cutting CNC machines cut any thread with equal ease, the old standards are out of the window. You'd be surprized with the amount of special non-standard threads there is nowadays.

That doesn't obviously mean that the thread in question can't be a standard pipe thread, but even if it is, the die is going to cost more than a new stand.

If the tpi is close enough to a fine pipe thread, go to a plumbing shop. The dies are usually adjustable, so only the tpi needs to match.

Regards
Sam

[Beej]

Sam, you're far too literal.

Of course they aren't solid tungsten. Who on earth would assume that's what I meant? Anyone who has used this type of equipment knows what's what.

The "old standards" still account for much more manufactured product available nearly everywhere. And no, I wouldn't be surprised with the amount out there these days, but this is a mic stand, not a custom robotic arm. Why make a bolt that only takes a 10.34mm wrench when most people stock 10mm? That would be straight up poor engineering and design.

Why would he buy it when he could rent or borrow it for cheap? I said nothing about buying one.

Really man, you need to slow down and pick your battles. All of my statements continue to stand as logical, reasonable, rational and grounded in reality...

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Originally Posted by Beej

Anyone who has used this type of equipment knows what's what.

And that's, what, less than 1% of the TB'ers?

In case You haven't noticed, the parrots in the internet, whether young or old, like to cling to ideas and sayings of "veterans" of any trade. The sometimes incorrect terminology of non-native speakers aside, that can lead to much graver misunderstandings later on. That's why I try to be as literal as I can with subjects that are my field of expertise.

Originally Posted by Beej

Really man, you need to slow down and pick your battles. All of my statements continue to stand as logical, reasonable, rational and grounded in reality...

I ain't trying to pick up any battles, why on earth would I?

Regards
Sam

[ggunn]

Originally Posted by T-Bird

That doesn't obviously mean that the thread in question can't be a standard pipe thread, but even if it is, the die is going to cost more than a new stand.

Seeing as how most mic stand bases and masts are interchangeable, I'd hazard a guess that it's a standard thread.

[nortonrider]

Many lumber yards, hardware stores and plumbing supply shops have thread cutting machines and probably the right die. Cost you a couple of bucks to have new threads cut.

[IvanMike]

tungsten carbide drill bit? I raised you to be a writer, not some dirty coal miner!

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by ggunn

His stand is broken off at the base end, not at the mic clip.

oops.....but is the thread is the same at both ends....

[fdeck]

For grins I looked up 7/8-24 in the McMaster catalog (don't know if that's the correct thread) and a die was upwards of 80 bucks.

A machine shop might have one, but it would be considered an oddball thread.

Get a new stand.

[Pilgrim]

Or - if it's a pipe thread - you can buy a threaded length of pipe. Of course, it will weigh 10 pounds more, and require you to clean and paint it. Probably be top-heavy, too.

[Hoover]

I read this thread (ha! no pun intended) twice and I still can't tell which end of the stand the OP needs re-threaded.