Looks may be deceiving, yet the true mystery is always hidden. On my list of things which I wanted to make was an Impossible nut, if you do woodworking, this is the impossible nail’s cousin. I was watching an youtube video from This Only Tony and saw this idea and thought it would be a fun thing to tackle.

Construction of this is simple, just a steel shaft with some cuts and a relief for a 5/8 x 11 UNC threads (or any threads of your choice) and a…nut? But how does it get there and that is the question which this will answer, and before you ask, no I did not weld it or super glue it into place so I can take a photo.

With all jokes asside, this was an easy project, it took around 2-3 hrs to complete, I started by getting a piece of steel which I felt was thick enough then I cut a section off that. With the 2 parts, I faced and cleaned them up, on the longer end I cut a small section to accept a 1/4 x 20 UNC threads while on the other half, I bored and tapped the same threads (female, not male, internal hole). After counter boring the threads so I can screw it together all the way, I put it back onto the lathe, as 1 assembly and cut the relief for the threads.

Once it was to size, I used a die to cut the threads, then while the die was on it, I screwed the other half back on then cut the threads in the other direction. When that was done, the hard part was completed, for the nut I just used a piece of steel, cleaned it up, knurled the OD and drill and tap the hole. Then at the end, all I had to do was unscrew the rod, screw the nut on and reattach the other part and it was completed. the threads help hide the cut line to make it look seamless.

If you are looking for a fun project to do during the weekend, this can be it.

• 

•