John2005 wrote:
Hi everyone,

Thanks for your replies.

Based on all of the feedback I have gotten from this and other forums,
it seems the size of the lip where the rod necks down is fairly
unimportant, and I should keep the OD of the threads as large as
possible.

Correct.

It also seems a course pitch thread is better than a fine or
extra fine thread, even though there may be less threads over the .183"
length.

Wrong. Finer is better. It has a larger root diameter.