ckinzer@att.net said:
  
  > On a mini-lathe it would be way better to do it using a hand crank
  > in the spindle (there are plans for these around).  The mini-lathe
  > isn't really good for doing slow speeds.
  
  > Your typical 12 x 36 lathe such as from Grizzly will go down to 70 rpm.
  
  All true but just for another perspective: I'm pretty new at this and
  I've cut a metric thread with a lead (advance per revolution) of 2.8
  mm which isn't far from 8 TPI under power. It required care but wasn't
  really 'exciting.' Like so much else with machine tools it requires
  thinking ahead and preparation, that's all.
  
  TRY a feed of 8 TPI (gears as suggested earlier on this thread) with
  the carriage well away from everything and the RPM as low as it will
  go and be stable on your machine. Could you control that for the job
  you're planning? For 8 TPI a mini-lathe may require a dozen or more
  passes; can you stop the cut so many times with the accuracy needed
  for the part you're making?
  
  Cutting up to a shoulder with a minimal run out groove is a lot more
  challenging than if you have an inch of clearance in which to get
  stopped!
  
  There are mods to the mini-lathe that will reduce the RPM by up to
  1/2: something to keep in mind if much threading is to be done.
  
  Walt Hutchens
  7x14 MicroLux 2-7x10 HF/CM