So far in the discussion of dies for threading player piano rods and
wires, it has not been mentioned that threading dies of the usual types
might be unsuitable in many cases.

Often the threads were rolled instead of being cut.  When a leather nut
must be passed over a portion of the rod or wire and secured at a point
further along the wire, it is necessary that the threaded portion be
larger in diameter than the rest of the wire so as to not distort the nut
by forcing it over the larger diameter wire.  Most dies cut a threaded
section whose diameter is the same as the rod.

To restore threads, an adjustable die or thread restoring tool can be
used, but to form new threads, a displacement method must be used.
Thread rolling equipment is, unfortunately, quite expensive.  It would
be interesting to know what alternatives exist for forming these raised
threads.

Spencer Chase