A thread rolling attachment (50) is adapted to be mounted on a machine tool and to be selectively moved in an axially direction relative to a workpiece (W) having a cylindrical surface upon which a thread is to be rolled. The improvement broadly includes a center plate (62) having three circularly-spaced detents (82); a front plate (66) having a central portion (70) arranged in axially-spaced relation to the center plate and having three circularly-spaced lugs (71) extending toward the center plate such that their distal end faces are adapted to engage and bear against a center plate surface (81); a recess (73) extending into each lug from such distal surface, each recess adapted to receive a respective one of the detents for angularly orienting the center and front plates relative to one another; three eccentric roll pins (63) having their opposite marginal end portions journalled on the center and front plates, and spaced equally from one another about an imaginary circle; a thread roll (65) rotatably mounted on each eccentric roll pin; and a plurality of fasteners (68) operatively arranged to selectively hold the center and front plates together; whereby, when the thread rolling attachment is assembled, the front plate will have improved rigidity and will be less susceptible to deformation.