Examples of uses for thread chasers?

[Formerjeeper]

Was looking at the recent thread about thread chasers -

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=470693

When do people get this out and put it to use? Only if threads are damaged or as precautionary measure/regular maintenance? I’m strictly shadetree/DIY work but wondering what the regular users do with it.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Cleaning thread sealer from bolts/holes

Rusty/crusty hardware

Damaged threads - especially wheel studs

Exhaust fasteners

 

[jeepinerdeep]

I use one about 1 time a year, for doing as said, when I don't want to remove any original thread.

Specifically I put hours of use on my set when I was prepping a rusty old engine block to be sent out to the machine shop.

 

[Jersey Drew]

I believe they are also used after having chassis or parts powder coated to clean up the threads

 

[vjquan]

I only use them when the threads are buggered, either cross threaded or damaged and don't go on smoothly.

 

[lardy1]

I use thread locker on almost everything on our Harleys. I've got into the habit of cleaning the threads on them. Trailer lugs. Anything rusty or cruddy I'm reusing.

I bought the Jawco set thinking I wouldn't use it much but had decided taps and dies caused too much damage. Particularly on the Harleys. I really didn't think I'd use it as much as I do. It's almost habit now.

 

[Buckaroo5]

Most frequent use is cleaning up crusty threads. Also, great to have on hand to size threads on nuts and bolts when required. I picked up that 48 piece Lang/Kaster kit under Craftsman brand name about 5 years ago.

 

[alfazer]

I've never used one of these sets, except from the thread files. What makes them better than regular taps and dies? Is it speed and convenience, or are they technically better for some reason?

 

[lardy1]

They push the thread back into position rather than cutting.

 

[Skiff Builder]

I thought a "Thread Chaser" was someone on this forum with over 10,000 posts!

 

[M6erfan]

Basically anytime you need to clean up existing threads, for whatever reason. I also chase threads (even if I think they're 'good') when a tightening torque spec is called for, which is often on motorcycles.

 

[GerMec]

Are there anywhere chasers in M4,M5 avialable?

 

[M6erfan]

Are there anywhere chasers in M4,M5 avialable?

I've never found any. They would be handy though.

 

[lilredex]

Here are my thread chasers, a simple nut with some saw cuts across it. I use them to mainly clean out threads on gas tank hanger bolts, exhaust studs, and hand brake adjusters, etc. It keeps those nuts from climbing on top of the crud and jambing.

If you have a table saw with difficult controls (up/down, tilt), look at the nuts to see if you can add saw cuts there too.

 

[Home_brew_machinist]

I use these things very often for vintage auto restoration/repair. Really nice to clean up things like head studs so that I can get a more accurate torque. Not sure if I really get a more accurate torque but it seems to make sense that a bunch of dirt in the threads could affect torque

 

[Coach James]

In addition to the things already mentioned, I have used them to fix threads on hose bibs, classroom table legs, gym equipment, power tool. I use them on cars less then on other things.

Coach

 

[PassnThru]

Also use them when I'm shortening a bolt. Run it down and make the cut and run it off to clean up the cut threads.

 

[rlitman]

Also use them when I'm shortening a bolt. Run it down and make the cut and run it off to clean up the cut threads.

+1 They're much better than using a nut for this job.

 

[Don1357]

I use these things very often for vintage auto restoration/repair. Really nice to clean up things like head studs so that I can get a more accurate torque. Not sure if I really get a more accurate torque but it seems to make sense that a bunch of dirt in the threads could affect torque

Yup, lots of chewed up threads that need a touch up.

I'm surprised nobody had mentioned fabrication, tapping a thread on metal to bolt something together.

 

[purpurite]

I rebuild motorcycle engines, and I use mine all the time. Taps and dies cut too much material from castings and fasteners—thread chasers are perfect and leave the threads clean and fresh.

 

[GerMec]

I've never found any. They would be handy though.

I wonder if thread formers which are commonly available would work

 

[vjquan]

Here are my thread chasers, a simple nut with some saw cuts across it. I use them to mainly clean out threads on gas tank hanger bolts, exhaust studs, and hand brake adjusters, etc. It keeps those nuts from climbing on top of the crud and jambing.

If you have a table saw with difficult controls (up/down, tilt), look at the nuts to see if you can add saw cuts there too.

I don't see how this works. Thread chasers are slightly oversized to remove the slop built in on regular nuts/bolts. That's why you can't thread a chaser nut onto a chaser stud.

 

[richfinn]

Not the same kind of thread chasers, but I have a few for spark plug threads in cylinder heads, useful if somebody has used anti-seize/copper grease on the plugs and it bakes into threads

The other is a chopped down M8 x1.25 mm tap with a nut welded to it, because I live in the UK

 

[demarpaint]

I use them to clean up the spark plug holes in small engines used on OPE.

 

[M6erfan]

I wonder if thread formers which are commonly available would work

Possibly. I'm not smart enough to know for sure.

 

[M6erfan]

I use them to clean up the spark plug holes in small engines used on OPE.

For cleaning up spark plug threads with the head in place I use a Back-Tap style chaser.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

Used them quite a bit for installing bolt-on hitches to vehicles where the pre-drilled and tapped holes had gotten rusty or filled up with crud.

 

[unknownroad]

Generally, wrenching on my own cars that are 20-60 years old, they get used on a fastener or threaded assembly that is still mechanically sound, but fought me every inch of the way coming apart. They're not a one-and-only solution, but they're a valuable tool to have on hand.

 

[Craftfab]

I bought the US made Lang set about a year ago and didn't have any use for it until recently when I got an old fixture plate with about 40 1/4-20 threaded holes, all packed with decades of grime. In the past I would've scraped out threads with a pick after soaking and cleaning with simple green. This time I got out the thread chasers, and they were a huge time saver and did great to get out all the junk.

 

[619DioFan]

Also use them when I'm shortening a bolt. Run it down and make the cut and run it off to clean up the cut threads.

Same here. just did this yesturday when l needed to shorten some u-bolts.

 

[Qualitytools]

My first experience with thread chasers was when used to clean the threads on my oil pan on my BMW.

I purchased a small LANG metric set when I experience a little resistance while removing the oil drain plug. Worked like a charm!

This weekend I will be using it on some of the bolts and nuts of my Ford Ranger while freshening up the front suspension

 

[vanapplebomb]

I chase all threads in painted or sand blasted parts. Grit in the threads can cause a bolt to seize solid part way in the threads. Often, the only way to get it out is to drill it out...often needing a helicoil. Sometimes you get lucky and after a couple minutes of back and fourth, a good impact can work it out by stripping the threads off the bolt. Then you chase the threads from the bolt out of the female threads and all is well. Chasing the grit out of the threads before threading in a bolt keeps you from having seized bolts.

 

[metaleltr]

Just used one today, brand new grade 8 5/8" diameter bolt would not accept a new nut until I ran the bolt through the thread chaser.

 

[Jlarson]

I use mine a few times a week usually. Just used the kit in my service truck rebuilding a tie rod cylinder, cleaned up the rods, end cap threads a couple of the keeper threads.

 

[macgee]

I use mine all the time. Here's some examples of my old school Jawco's, the K-D version is also Jawco's.

I use my Kastar set way more often, it's all together, easy to identify. I removed the top for easy access and sits in a tool drawer waiting to being used.

 

[fsae0607]

I have the Lang set. They save the day and I use them all the time.