Here is a easy way to make very precision 26 x .180 screws ... You need a drill press a file and a 26TPI die ... You start with 5/16 inch rod anything from brass to titanium Im using 5/16 C360 brass rod today .. Cut in 2 inch length put it in your drill press and turn it down with a file to make screw blanks ... Then you just need to run it through your die to thread it and cut it off to desired length ... most of my tap and die set I purchased on EBAY ....   

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I have had a lathe at home for the past 40 years, never thought of making a screw on a drill press. Nicely done.

Yes I wish I had a jewelers lathe It would be so easy to make screw blanks ... You have to to have special talent to thread screws and have them come out right I would still prefer a die to thread them my real secret is these nice butterfield dies you can thread anywhere from .100 to .315 thanks for your nice comment .... I think some of them might be a 100 years old ....

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I can see where that type die would be a little easier staring the threads straight. The normal die sold today it is difficult to get them started straight.
the 2 most important things with a lathe are #1 a rigid tool holder, and #2 a sharp tool with the correct angles. The first thing I did when I got my first lathe was ditch the lantern tool holders that came with it and build a solid tool holder.

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