Looking for thread chaser/restorer set

Kenwc · Jan 9, 2011

Invariably I'm in my shop working on the machines I restore most of the day on Saturdays. During that time I seem to always come up with a new tool to need that would have made something easier. Then I spend part of Sunday researching sources and prices for the tool. Then I come here to ask opinions.

I want to clean up threads on bolts, nuts and other internal / external threads on the machines before assembly...

So...is there a difference between thread chasers and thread restorers?

I've seen nice looking sets from Snap-On, Matco and Craftsman. These are normally the 48 to 53 piece sets.

I'm not looking for taps and dies...have enough of those.

Any opinions?

shanker · Jan 9, 2011

i've been looking for a set as well....but Oreilly's is only about 4 blocks away and its free to rent them when I need them so I havnt bought my own yet

reptilezs · Jan 9, 2011

most are made by kastar

vssjim · Jan 9, 2011

reptilezs said:
most are made by kastar

So, Craftsman, Mac and Kastar etc. are all the same set made by Kastar so shop on price.

Kenwc · Jan 9, 2011

Thanks for the quick info. I noticed they looked basically identical and Craftsman has the best price so I'll give them a look. I see you can also buy direct from Kastar online.

Thanks again...

Ken

SketchyBikes · Jan 9, 2011

I just picked up the craftsman set last weekend for $49.99 in store. The exact same set was $69.99 online... I had to buy it!!! It wasn't on sale or anything either. I told the kid working there, and he was even shocked. I have a friend with the snapon set and it appears to be identical.

BJ42LX · Jan 9, 2011

I got my Kastar 48pc set from Tooltopia on sale for $55 plus shipping. It's up to 75 or so now. There's someone selling them on eBay for $59 plus shipping...

rt dak · Jan 9, 2011

SketchyBikes said:
I just picked up the craftsman set last weekend for $49.99 in store. The exact same set was $69.99 online... I had to buy it!!! It wasn't on sale or anything either. I told the kid working there, and he was even shocked. I have a friend with the snapon set and it appears to be identical.

You sure it wasn't the 40 piece set that you bought? The 40 piece set is $49.99 and the 48 piece set is $69.99.

Kenwc · Jan 9, 2011

I don't need the metric components at this time so I just ordered the Kastar 26 piece SAE set in fine and coarse for $25 + Shipping.

JeremyManning · Jan 9, 2011

I got one of these I like for internal cleaning up from lee valley tools

Monte · Jan 9, 2011

www.nes.co.il

oldtools · Jan 9, 2011

Monte said:
www.nes.co.il

Anybody use this and does it work well?

Elroy · Jan 9, 2011

Have you considered "thread files"

These little jewels have saved the day more than once. They are relatively inexpensive and very handy. They are available in metric, pipe and English pitches.

Monte · Jan 10, 2011

oldtools said:
Anybody use this and does it work well?

mikeceli · Jan 11, 2011

I got this set from costco.com

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Produc...ang=en-US&Sp=C&ec=BC-EC22577-Cat21277&topnav=

Quality seem top notch. Made in USA. Havent used it yet.

Hiball · Jan 11, 2011

I was gonna buy a Set of those Thread Restorers but after consideration i didnt see the Need. I have full sets of Tap and Dies and as far as im concerned they will do everything those "Restorer" sets will. I also own the Thread files that Elroy pictured up, They are a must for cleaning up threads that are bad on the End so you can correctly get a Die on. I deal with bad threads on a Regular basis working on Hydraulic Jacks. Its a full time job with the New China Jacks, The Metal is so Poor that threads Pull very easily and then of course i get the Cross threaded stuff when the Owner tries to fix there own stuff.

oldtools · Jan 11, 2011

Hiball said:
I was gonna buy a Set of those Thread Restorers but after consideration i didnt see the Need. I have full sets of Tap and Dies and as far as im concerned they will do everything those "Restorer" sets will. I also own the Thread files that Elroy pictured up, They are a must for cleaning up threads that are bad on the End so you can correctly get a Die on. I deal with bad threads on a Regular basis working on Hydraulic Jacks. Its a full time job with the New China Jacks, The Metal is so Poor that threads Pull very easily and then of course i get the Cross threaded stuff when the Owner tries to fix there own stuff.

The thing with tap and die is that they can potentially cut more material off from the thread, thus making it weaker and looser. The thread chaser only clean up thread, not cut them.

Hiball · Jan 11, 2011

oldtools said:
The thing with tap and die is that they can potentially cut more material off from the thread, thus making it weaker and looser. The thread chaser only clean up thread, not cut them.

Ill agree if you have a cross threaded Hole a Tap is gonna do some cutting, Its inevitable but has to be done. I guess im confused about the Kastar Chaser/Restorer sets, How do they Restore threads without cutting? If im working on a Jack and say 1 of the Holes are jacked i normally use the Tap to clean/create and then run it thru all the same holes. Ive never noticed any cutting at all by running them in the Holes unless there are other issues.

williaty · Jan 11, 2011

Hiball said:
Ill agree if you have a cross threaded Hole a Tap is gonna do some cutting, Its inevitable but has to be done. I guess im confused about the Kastar Chaser/Restorer sets, How do they Restore threads without cutting? If im working on a Jack and say 1 of the Holes are jacked i normally use the Tap to clean/create and then run it thru all the same holes. Ive never noticed any cutting at all by running them in the Holes unless there are other issues.

The idea with a rethreading tap/die (chaser) is that the very edge of the cutting surface is blunted. It can scrap foreign **** like rust or loctite out of the threads, it can take smashed-over threads and push them back up where they belong, but it can't cut metal away. So it's closer to a thread re-former than a thread re-cutter. In reality, it does like 80% reforming and about 20% cutting.

Hiball · Jan 11, 2011

williaty said:
The idea with a rethreading tap/die (chaser) is that the very edge of the cutting surface is blunted. It can scrap foreign **** like rust or loctite out of the threads, it can take smashed-over threads and push them back up where they belong, but it can't cut metal away. So it's closer to a thread re-former than a thread re-cutter. In reality, it does like 80% reforming and about 20% cutting.

I dont think they would work for me, Im not dealing with Loctite etc... Most of the time i deal with Cross threading and Pulled threads as of Late. I normally replace bolts where needed and while i know it removing some metal when you run the tap in these sitsuations its something that has to be done.

williaty · Jan 11, 2011

Yeah, if there's basically no undamaged threads left in their original location, a thread chaser/rethreader can't help. They're for when you have clogged threads, smashed threads, or a foreign object was drug through the threads by the fastener and ripped the hell out of everything, etc. Things were the root of the thread is intact.

Then again, given that everything I do is automotive, for safety's sake, if a thread chaser/rethreader can't restore the thread to the point it'll hold the torque spec, it's time to start from scratch. I don't ever try to retap at the same size even if there's a fair amount of undamaged threads.

Hiball · Jan 11, 2011

williaty said:
Then again, given that everything I do is automotive, for safety's sake, if a thread chaser/rethreader can't restore the thread to the point it'll hold the torque spec, it's time to start from scratch. I don't ever try to retap at the same size even if there's a fair amount of undamaged threads.

I can fully understand that, My Applications are not nearly as Particular and the Real issues are only with the Newer China Jacks.

Sick Puppy · Jan 11, 2011

I recall in other threads (see what I did there? :lol_hitti

) about taking an opposing nut or bolt of similar size and thread to the damaged piece, and using a die grinder/ rotary tool/ hacksaw to cut grooves into the thread, and it apparently does a good job?

Danglerb · Jan 11, 2011

Each time you use a tap the fit gets looser, they always cut. I use my 48 pc Craftsman set everytime I take something apart and put it back together. After a bit I started noticing the rest of the shop was doing the same thing, at least on important stuff.

BTW the kit includes the files.

OTOH I don't own a set of taps and dies yet, but they are on my list.

Danglerb · Jan 11, 2011

Sick Puppy said:
I recall in other threads (see what I did there? ) about taking an opposing nut or bolt of similar size and thread to the damaged piece, and using a die grinder/ rotary tool/ hacksaw to cut grooves into the thread, and it apparently does a good job?

As far as I can tell thats exactly what a thread chaser is, and how its made. (not using a dremel, but some machine cuts a few slots)

SILVERPLATE · Jan 11, 2011

I bought this set from Costco online. Quality product made in the USA.

Looking for thread chaser/restorer set

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