Thread Restorer Snap-on TFTFM932A

[Sunrise]

Snap-On Item number TFTFM932A it's blue point but possibly made in USA? Does anyone know?

[Merkava_4]

http://www.aeincorporated.com/Kastar/?category=7&page=show_item_detail&id=107&qs=cGFnZT1zdG9yZSZjYXRlZ29yeT03

[Sunrise]

oh cool, and they are USA made? noob here.:lol_hitti

[Merkava_4]

Yes, KASTAR is USA made. ;)

[eschoendorff]

oh cool, and they are USA made? noob here.:lol_hitti

Yup, they are made here, but save yourself some money, go down to Sears and buy this Craftsman version comes witht two of the threed thread files:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00942275000P

Essentially the same thing (same vendor). VERY highly recommended. I use these WAY more than I use my taps and dies... and buy some cutting oil while you're at it. Life is a LOT easier with lube "lol:

[Uncle Buck]

Yup, they are made here, but save yourself some money, go down to Sears and buy this Craftsman version comes witht two of the threed thread files:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00942275000P

Essentially the same thing (same vendor). VERY highly recommended. I use these WAY more than I use my taps and dies... and buy some cutting oil while you're at it. Life is a LOT easier with lube "lol:

I guess I have never understood why one would need these if you already have complete sets of taps and dies? Aside from the thread files reaching something I may not be able to get at with a tap or die what improvement could these offer? I am all ears. :headscrat

[Sunrise]

they dont cut/shave metal. just repair what it's there. it saved few wheel stud and bolts.

[eschoendorff]

I guess I have never understood why one would need these if you already have complete sets of taps and dies? Aside from the thread files reaching something I may not be able to get at with a tap or die what improvement could these offer? I am all ears. :headscrat

The thread restore tools are not as aggressive, much quicker an easier to use; less chance of cross threading and cutting new threads! :shocking:

I'll snap some pics for ya....

Okay I'm back. You can see the included thread files, as well as the obvious similarities and differences (I used a 3/8 16 for comparison purposes). The other advantages to the thread restore kit is that you have NF, NC and metric all in one package. If you are more comfortable with taps and dies, then by all means use those. But I have found the thread restore kit more "idiot proof," especially for people like me who are impatient. These are tools that I generally use right after fighting with a bolt or nut and seem to get the worst of my frustration. Idiot proof is a good thing in this case :lol:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/eschoendorff/IMG_0936.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/eschoendorff/IMG_0937.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/eschoendorff/IMG_0938.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/eschoendorff/IMG_0939.jpg

[russlaferrera]

You can use them on very large threaded things. Large pipe, hydraulic cylinders (cap ends), large bolts 1 1/2 and larger. Like any tool it's good to have when you need it.

[64merc]

It looks like you can use a standard wrench or socket to turn the thread restore "taps", correct?

[Underdog]

It looks like you can use a standard wrench or socket to turn the thread restore "taps", correct?

Yes a socket or wrench works great. Only problem is they are the same size usually as the nut. Come up missing a die one, were did it go? Went back and found I had installed it instead of the nut, did hold very well.

[64merc]

You guys suck. I had all but forgotten that I've been wanting a thread restorer set, until you all brought it up again. Now I might have to pick up that C-man set next time I'm at Sears. This board has really done me in financially.

[eschoendorff]

You guys suck. I had all but forgotten that I've been wanting a thread restorer set, until you all brought it up again. Now I might have to pick up that C-man set next time I'm at Sears. This board has really done me in financially.

Here, I'll make you feel better. I bought mine from Sears when it was still $49.99. A few weeks later, they were selling them for $59.99.


There. Oh wait.... I meant to say make me feel better, :lol:

[billymade]

Interestingly enough, it looks like kastar makes the 40 piece craftsman kit too!


http://www.aeincorporated.com/Kastar/images/store/972-lg.gif

http://www.aeincorporated.com/Kastar/?category=7&page=show_item_detail&id=61&qs=cGFnZT1zdG9yZSZjYXRlZ29yeT03JnBhZ2VfbnVtPTImbnV tX2l0ZW1zX3RvX2Rpc3BsYXk9MTA=
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00952105000P?mv=rr

[JeepsAreBuilt]

I bought my set from Cornwell.. they have the biggest set I could find. And a pretty good price too..

[PowderKeg]

Once you have a set of thread files, you'll wonder how you ever got along without them. Use mine more often than dies/chasers. Have a bolt/machine screw thats hard to start or just buggered a little on the end or one side, or tightens up/snags when partly threaded in? Few licks with the file and you're good to go. Really great for spindle threads and the like, as well as dressing up the end after cutting/filing down a bolt for clearance.

[OldSchoolSS]

Here, I'll make you feel better. I bought mine from Sears when it was still $49.99. A few weeks later, they were selling them for $59.99.


There. Oh wait.... I meant to say make me feel better, :lol:

Now they are $69.99!!! I'm tempted to buy the snap on set now. Or at least find it used.


Although looking at the pictures eschoendorff posted. Why couldn't one just take a file to a standard bolt and put some channels to make their own rethreading equipment?

When I cut down a stud or a bolt i always thread a nut on first, make my cut. Dress the cut and then unthread the nut.

[rsanter]

I just used my thread restorer set this last weekend
got it for christmas
thing works great

bob

[Frank Elson]

I've never seen a thread restorer set before.
Always used dies and, like others have said, cocked the job up now and again.
I wondered if they were available in the UK as I had never seen one...

damn, they are, I'm picking one up tomorrow.

I LOVE this site.

[eddyyy302]

I literally JUST got done using my KD thread restorer set today on an aluminum head with a marred hole. Paid $1 for the complete set in case at a flea market some time ago, they are VERY handy when you need them and I have an extensive set of taps and dies, but different situations call for different tools.

[Danglerb]

I took my 48 pc set into a shop where my car lives, and got the usual "I just use a die" line, and then next thing you know they get borrowed frequently. The work great at cleaning out old threads and unlike a tap and die they don't make the threads looser. Its a bit amazing how much crud they can clean out of a thread too.

[Vinko]

Now they are $69.99!!! I'm tempted to buy the snap on set now. Or at least find it used.

How much is the equivalent S-O set now? It's been on my wishlist (The Craftsman model) for a while now, but I'm waiting for a C-Club sale:drool:

[OldSchoolSS]

How much is the equivalent S-O set now? It's been on my wishlist (The Craftsman model) for a while now, but I'm waiting for a C-Club sale:drool:

The snap on set is 100.00 retail but i would try to pick it up used if I were going to do so. I think I'm going to make my own pieces. I emailed my uncle who is a machinist and is as frugal as I am if not more so. Here is what I got back.

"dude, before I looked at what you were thinking of buying, I said to myself, why not cut a flute on the bolt? I think its a great idea, the only thing to keep in mind. Use grade eight bolts. the other thing to do that the kit does already, is undercut the top part of the bolt so the crap has a place to go. If you know what i mean. If you would like one last suggestion, use a set screw and weld a rod to it. 1/2 -13 set screw half inch long, then weld a 1/4" rod in the center of it, Instant undercut.Brazing or silver soldering might be best welding type if you don't have access to a tig welder.

otherwise, the biggest problem with using a tap, people don't use there heads, if it feels like its cutting material then it is. A lot of machine shops purposely save old dull taps just for the purpose of casing old threads. or cleaning out carburization. I like to use socket head cap screws for this type of work, that way im using a allen wrench and cant get to much leverage on the bolt. "

[Jbullfrog]

take a week and watch E-bay for a deal. Search thread repair, tread restoration, rethreader, rethreading ( search each individually and exclude heli, helicoil). They individual dies and taps are $2-$3 each, so if you find a set missing a few bid accordingly. All of the sets are made by K-star and the pieces are only marked USA, so don't let brand bother you, as any of the trucks will replace a broken one or sell you a replacement for a lost one.

I bought my Mac 48pc set on E-bay for $46.00 and my Craftsman 48pc at the pawn shop for $30.

Sears seems to be trying to price themselves closer to the trucks to drive away business for some odd reason.

[beelsr]

use this for an all-in-one search:

(thread-repair,thread-restoration,rethread*) -(heli,helicoil)

comma-separated items in a parenthesis are ORed, the minus sign excludes results with whatever follows. the search terms can be about 80-100 characters in length now....


take a week and watch E-bay for a deal. Search thread repair, tread restoration, rethreader, rethreading ( search each individually and exclude heli, helicoil).

[sputnikv8]

Was desperate and needed a thread fixed so I could get out on my boat today. I went to sears and picked this kit up -- the price was 49.99. No sales or anything. I must say, I've been wanting this set for awhile and it saved me having to order a $100 part. The threads I fixed were horribly munged up. This thing cleaned them up wonderfully and didn't cut much material away.

Two thumbs up!

[volvo420coupe]

my set from matco will be here next Friday, I just finished paying off my tap & die set, but I wanted this set also. It is a fact that this set is meant for cleaning/repairing threads, and taps & dies are meant for cutting new threads.

[bmxr4life87]

i bought a snap on set from an ex coworker for $50 BNIB he didnt really have a use for em but ive run em through their paces and i love em. They are so much more forgiving than tap and die. plus they are designed to use a socket or wrench on em and a smaller wrench than a die of similair thread size so you can get into tighter places easier

[ps junkslinger]

Last month I picked up an unused snap on set with extra files from a craigslister for 50.00. I am the guy that usually misses all the deals on things I actually need. Not that time. Score for me (for a change)