I cut my tee nut blank in the lathe using a 6 jaw scroll chuck and at that time I had like 2 insert tools and about 3 hours of experience cumulative on a lathe ever.
It’s really easy honestly and if you have a 4 jaw it’s even easier.
If you can handle interrupted cuts you can chuck the blank on its side and cut the edges down to size and then mount the nut flat and turn the face down, I left a round raised lip in the middle to keep all the threads present.
That sounds pretty cool......I've got at present 0 hours.....lol...but probably 30+ hours on YouTube..
However my 'T-Nut' is actually a machined item on my cross slide.
It's about 2.5 inchs long, and has an actual T machined into the entire length.
Only way to make another one is to mill it.
Now I did get a 3/4 bottom mill/collet, and was gonna mount the blank in the existing tool holder...it fits.....however, it's too low...and even with shims, not gonna be able to mill it. I can't raise it high enough to mill it from the bottom, OR low enough to mill it from the top.....
SO, the current plan is to mount my existing T Nut in the 4 Jaw...center it with the bolt that holds the tool holder, and drill it out 27/64 and tap it for 1/2 inch.......
I have a 9/16 Grade 8 Bolt that's long enough...however it has 12 pitch threads...I think it's thick enough to cut 13 pitch 1/2" threads over the existing threads......then I have to thread the other end 14mm x 2mm......and part off the head of the bolt........cause this thing actually needs to be a stud....
Fun times....lol....
At least I'm gonna bust my cherry with a 4 way and funky threading...lol.....I'll keep you posted on how it goes....need to take some pics.
z
