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Advice on thread chasers

chicane

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May 24, 2007
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Central Virginia
Are thread chasers different from tap and die sets? As I understand it thread chasers can be used to REPAIR a few damaged threads in a bolt thread hole.

Can you explain how thread chasers are used and recommend a good thread chaser set?
 
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Smokeshow69

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A thread chaser simply follows the threads that where already cut in or around an item. A tap and die will cut the metal to the shape of threads. If you are doing work on an item and 1 or 2 threads is damaged you might be ok with just chasing the threads. Depending on how many threads total are on an item you might want to use a heli-coil and repair the item by putting an insert in the item. Basically to insert the helical you drill the threaded hole out with the specified size drill bit, use the supplied tap and then thread in the insert. It sounds sketchy but is actually better than the original cast threads. I don't know what your use is for the thread chaser kit but I bought one from Summit racing for domestic automotive work. It covers the common sizes but only has about 5 bits total. If you look at a tap and die set by them selves versus a thread chaser set it becomes very obvious that the tap and die's are made of much denser and stronger metal. Hope this helps??
 

LB-1911

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Some basic questions on how to use a tap/die set.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=226191

Tap and die vs retread kits.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=137702

Thread Restorer or Tap and Die Set
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=138020

Looking for thread chaser/restorer set
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=87237


Snap On vs. Craftsman Thread Restoring Kit
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=115546


The OEM is Kaster/Lang.
Craftsman 48 pc. SAE & Metric Thread Restorer Kit
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-48-pc-sae-metric-thread-restorer-kit/p-00942275000P
 

Fretters

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South Yorkshire, England
Thread forming tools literally just force mangled threads back into shape. Taps & dies cut threads, and chasers are a cutting or final finishing tool for threads. Personally, I think that once a thread is deformed, reforming it is fairly pointless as you've already lost the strength; better to recut. Only time I've heard a use suggested where reforming is a feasible option is on captive nuts which can't be replaced and have only a few thread depth, where you want to retain as much metal as possible. Won't be as strong as original, but I can see the point of using them there.

That's only my personal opinion though. I know how you lot tend to love reforming over there, over using the proper method and running the tap or die over something, so I ain't getting into that argument. :D
 

Mopar-Scooby-Doo

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Dec 3, 2012
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224
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Sonora Ca
Thread chasers are different from dies. Dies are used to make a new thread, where a thread chaser is used to clean/repair some threads.
MACHINE SHOP TIPS #4 Dies/Threading Check this video out on youtube. He has more and they are pretty interesting. Sorry don't know how to post a link to it.
 

n8n

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Curtis Bay, MD
+1 on the Craftsman/Kastar/Lang/Snappy/Matco etc. set.

The nice thing about that set is you can get the Craftsman branded version for only a little more money than a set of four Nicholson thread files alone off Amazon. I personally find the thread files better in a lot of ways than the thread repair dies.
 
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Scout Driver

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South Dakota
Another vote for Kastar.

Using a tap or die to straighten or repair threads can potentially remove material from the fastener or the threaded hole, leading to a loose fitting fastener.

Scott
 
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chicane

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May 24, 2007
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553
Location
Central Virginia
How do I match up thread pitch for one of these sets. The bolt that I want to rethread is an M10 I thing the pitch is 1.5 but I am not sure.
 

n8n

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Curtis Bay, MD
Use the thread gauge from your tap and die set, or else match up a marked tap to the threads on the bolt. If the pitch is not right on the gauge or tap will not sit nicely in the threads but will only engage one or two teeth.

 
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chicane

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May 24, 2007
Messages
553
Location
Central Virginia
Hey guys I bought a thread chaser kit from Sears, I put a little tap and dye oil on ran it through and through about three times and then the bolt went in with no problems. Thanks for all of your help.
 

gatewaysysop

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Nov 11, 2008
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Location
Arizona
+1 on the Craftsman/Kastar/Lang/Snappy/Matco etc. set.

The nice thing about that set is you can get the Craftsman branded version for only a little more money than a set of four Nicholson thread files alone off Amazon. I personally find the thread files better in a lot of ways than the thread repair dies.

:+1:

Awesome value for the money.
 

Zedexseven

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Nov 2, 2013
Messages
236
Thread chaser kits are very handy, I like using them to clean out dried up loc tite from both threaded holes and screws
 

southalabama

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Jan 10, 2011
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Location
Brewton AL
I went to change the spark plug in my Husqvarna zero turn Saturday, it has a Briggs 19hp motor. I had never taken the spark plug out. It was cross threaded. I went to two different auto parts stores, but settled on an Lisle Thread Chaser for spark plugs from Oreillys. It was USA made. It did the trick and cleaned up the first couple threads.
 
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