Forces generated when threading a Ni-Cr-Mo (817M40T) steel with two grades (P20 - P30 and K05 -K20 types) of PVD coated carbide insects under various cuffing conditions were recorded and analysed Other data obtained during the threading operation include tool life at specified cutting conditions, tool wear rate, the extent of damage on threaded surfaces and hardness variation at various locations of the threaded surfaces, The test results show that lower cutting forces were generated when machining with the single layer Al2O3 coated inserts consisting of a K05-K20 substrate and incorporating a honed edge. The edge geometry as well as the composition of the substrate tend to ensure lower tool wear rate, hence longer tool life in addition to minimum damage of the threaded surface with only slight deviation from the apparent hardness of the workpiece after machining.