I was trying to turn a new crossfeed leadscrew for my 9x20 lathe. I was trying to use 9/16 drill rod. Everything went fine until I started to thread the 7/16x20 LH threads. I just succeeded in making a mess. It was like it was tearing the metal rather than cutting it. I have threaded other metal in the past, sometimes with good result and sometimes with similar results.
Questions:
Is drill rod a suitable metal for threading? If not what should I use?
If yes, what are the most likely things I am doing wrong?
Would 12L14 be a good choice for a leadscrew?
Would 4140 be a good choice for a leadscrew?
Thanks in advance,
Alan