What size thread rod for bandsaw carriage

[muddstopper]

Been planing on a bandsaw mill for a pretty good while. Just wondering what size rod does everybody use to raise and lower the saw carriage on their mills. I plan on using a Acme threaded rod, but wondering what size/pitch is just right and what would be considered overkill. I am thinking a minimum of 1"x4, but 1 1/4"x5 would be much stronger and would only add about $50 to the overall cost. My concerns are, and I may be overthinking it, is that the carriage weight would be held up by the acme rod and I am just wondering about the wear factor on the threads over time.

 

[Mike Van]

I used the 1 1/4 on mine - Keep it well greased too -

 

[muddstopper]

I just picked up a 1 1/4-5 acme tap off ebay, so I guess it will be a 1 1/4 acme rod/ I will use the tap to make the mounting blocks for the lead screws. Not looking forward to taping out that size acme threads, but making the mounting blocks will save the price of the tap a few times over.

 

[Mike Van]

You can almost see the nut on mine, built into the square - I used brass, bought them from Mcmaster-Carr. My first attempt 25 years ago was regular V thread, 1 X 8 if I remember right. Lasted about a day before the rod & nut just galled each other to death.

 

[muddstopper]

I found plenty of nuts, in different materials. I thought about just buying the regular steel nuts and welding them on, but sort of figured the width of the nut wouldnt supply enough support for the weight riding on the threads. I am thinking if I make a long block and drill and tap it for the rod. something like this one I havent found these blocks in 1 1/4 size