Improper adjustment of the dies on spoke rolling machines can result in extremely short die life (as little as 5 or 10 spokes), and when properly used and adjusted the dies can last for several hundred spokes. There are several factors that contribute to wear on the spoke rolling dies including die adjustment (the die's rolling diameter), lubrication, speed (how fast you thread the spoke), and whether or not you start from pre-existing threads or on a blank spoke. The die should be adjusted on the threads of a factory threaded spoke of the same gauge of the spoke to be threaded. If possible, start threading from existing threads, feed at a slow hand rate, and use a light oil as a lube.