nut or groove problem

 From:  Frenchy Pilou (PILOU)
4992.2 
If I good undestand your problem (not sure) :)
Sweep one rail (circle as profile) = a tube
Boolean Diff = separated forms
Sweep 2 rails (any curve as profile) = fill with any surface profile
20 seconds on my computer 10 years old, so 1 second with yours! ;)

EDITED: 8 Mar 2012 by PILOU