Correct metal for linkage

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neilbardsley
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Correct metal for linkage

Post by neilbardsley »

I'm still completely failing to cut a thread on the rod I bought to create a linkage rod for my 914. I've filled the end in hope it will take. I've applied heat. I've even bought another die set as the rod eat the first one. It just will not cut. I can only conclude I have too hard a metal, like, stainless steel. I need a 5mm to rod in metal I can cut. Anybody know where I can get this?



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Last edited by neilbardsley on Sat Apr 22, 2023 11:02 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Gary71
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Re: Correct metal for linkage

Post by Gary71 »

Might sound a bit random but B&Q have a rack of steel rods, section, etc and you can guarantee that won't be anything other than the mildest of steels
Bruce M
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Re: Correct metal for linkage

Post by Bruce M »

What’s the outside diameter of the rod. Bit hard to tell from the photo but it looks like more than 5mm? If it is, a die will not be happy, it isn’t designed to reduce the OD & only cut threads into the surface.

What length & thread do you need?
A short length with left & right hand threads on each end? Or just normal thread on both ends?

You can buy lengths of thread, up to around a metre, on eBay.
neilbardsley
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Re: Correct metal for linkage

Post by neilbardsley »

I ordered 5mm but I haven't measured it. Do you have a link for the threads on eBay?

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Re: Correct metal for linkage

Post by Nine One One »

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Re: Correct metal for linkage

Post by jury »

From memory linkages are M5, easy enough to use M5 thread bar and cut to length. Put the nut on before cutting, once cut to length back the nut off and it will remove any loose bits of metal from the cut...finish of with the small file.

I made something similar and put some heat shrink on the "exposed" middle area, so not to foul on anything.
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Bruce M
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Re: Correct metal for linkage

Post by Bruce M »

If you want m5 right hand thread then you easily source from eBay (the advice above on cutting is spot on). However often a linkage will have a reverse thread on one end so the link changes length when you rotate it (without disconnecting the ends). That’s a bit trickier to source.
neilbardsley
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Re: Correct metal for linkage

Post by neilbardsley »

Yes I've bought a LHS thread die to cut the otherside

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Bruce M
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Re: Correct metal for linkage

Post by Bruce M »

How long does the rod need to be?
neilbardsley
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Re: Correct metal for linkage

Post by neilbardsley »

Sorry I'm not exactly sure. I was going to measure it properly after getting one side threaded. About 35-60cm

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Bruce M
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Correct metal for linkage

Post by Bruce M »

Error!
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Re: Correct metal for linkage

Post by Bruce M »

I found some rods with matching left / right threads but only up to 90mm. A bit short for you.

Another option is a turnbuckle like this (M5x80)

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/25454416451 ... media=COPY

Add to that a length of left hand threaded rod and a right hand threaded rod. Cut those to half the required length and fit the turnbuckle in the middle.

Just a different option.
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Re: Correct metal for linkage

Post by Lightweight_911 »

.

Probably not what you want to hear Neil but you can get various lengths of 5mm linkage rods (for not much money) from Eurocarb:

Image

https://www.dellorto.co.uk/product-cate ... age-parts/

.
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neilbardsley
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Re: Correct metal for linkage

Post by neilbardsley »

That might be the solution Andy.

This is on the back burner as I ready the 356.

However, I had to cut more LHS thread one of the 356 rods (to shorten it). It cut fine so at least I know I'm not being a complete Muppet.

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