topic Re: Thread Clearance checkbox - am I dreaming? in Fusion Design, Validate & Document Forum

Thread Clearance checkbox - am I dreaming?

jamyers63 — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 18:07:30 GMT

A couple days ago, I designed a part with threaded holes (modeled for the first time) for 3d printing.

I swear there was a checkbox that added Thread Clearance...

Printed the parts, and the thread clearance needs adjusting, so I went back in to edit that feature, and for the life of me I can't find any Clearance settings.

Did it go away with the update, or am I dreaming the whole thing?

Re: Thread Clearance checkbox - am I dreaming?

TheCADWhisperer — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 18:17:37 GMT

@jamyers63

You probably saw this - but it doesn't do what you think it does.

With a bolted connection you normally have a clearance hole through the first part, so the fastener drops through and then threaded hole in the second part.

There are Standards for the type of fastener and clearance that Fusion can automatically apply.

You will have to offset the faces of the thread for 3D printing manually as this is not a Standard.

Be sure that you have chamfer lead in too and that is done correctly (often not done correctly).

Can you File>Export your *.f3d file to your local drive and then Attach it here to a Reply?

Re: Thread Clearance checkbox - am I dreaming?

MRWakefield — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 18:41:46 GMT

Unfortunately you dreamt it! As @TheCADWhisperer mentioned, I think you may have mistaken the purpose of "Clearance" hole option in the Hole dialogue.

In addition to any (excellent and valuable) guidance that @TheCADWhisperer will give you, you'll also find a link in my signature below that explains the hows and whys of thread offsetting. Many people get this wrong and it is important to understand what the undesirable effects can be of getting it wrong.

Re: Thread Clearance checkbox - am I dreaming?

jamyers63 — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 19:09:32 GMT

Gotta love dreams! In mine, the thread clearance was an option in the Thread tool, not the Hole - I'm familiar with the Hole Clearance...

At any rate, thanks for confirming that I was only dreaming and not completely blind!

I tried to attach the .3mf files, but got this error message: "The attachment's wing bolt.3mf content type (application/octet-stream) does not match its file extension and has been removed." - but no worries, they printed fine, just a bit snug and I'll offset the faces appropriately.

Thanks again!

Re: Thread Clearance checkbox - am I dreaming?

jamyers63 — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 19:06:27 GMT

Hey, Thanks for the thread on Threads - great info there!

Re: Thread Clearance checkbox - am I dreaming?

MRWakefield — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 19:08:39 GMT

I expect @TheCADWhisperer wanted the F3D files rather than the exported mesh files.

Re: Thread Clearance checkbox - am I dreaming?

jamyers63 — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 19:14:17 GMT

DOH! I saw 3 and quit thinking... my bad.

Attached file:

Re: Thread Clearance checkbox - am I dreaming?

TheCADWhisperer — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 19:36:41 GMT

@jamyers63

I see multiple issues with your modeling techniques.

Would you like to see better techniques?

Re: Thread Clearance checkbox - am I dreaming?

jamyers63 — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 19:42:25 GMT

Sure, always looking to improve!

Re: Thread Clearance checkbox - am I dreaming?

TheCADWhisperer — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 21:20:52 GMT

@jamyers63

I am headed to the beach.

If I forget to get back to this discussion - bump it back to the top.

Stay tuned!

Re: Thread Clearance checkbox - am I dreaming?

jamyers63 — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 21:57:27 GMT

Bump.

Re: Thread Clearance checkbox - am I dreaming?

TheCADWhisperer — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 01:59:51 GMT

@jamyers63

See Attached video and file.

(view in My Videos)

Re: Thread Clearance checkbox - am I dreaming?

jamyers63 — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 20:50:39 GMT

That is AWESOME!!! Thanks for the pointers - lots of stuff I'll try and remember to use.