High tensile and torque strength threads are provided on a thermoplastic composite rod by first cutting a thread at a relatively short pitch into an end of the rod. Thermoplastic composite tape is then wound in tight conformance to the cut thread so that the fibers of the tape align with the desired helix angle of the thread to be created. The rod and the tape are heated at their junction to above melt temperatures during the winding process to increase adhesion between the rod and the tape. While the end of the rod and the wound tape are at above melt temperatures, the end of the rod and the tape are compressed in a die conforming to the desired ultimate configuration of the thread. The tape and rod are then permitted to cool until sufficiently hardened to permit release of the compressing die without deformation of the threaded end of the tape. The result is a thermoplastic composite rod having high tensile and torque strength at its threaded end.