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Help choosing a Thread Restorer Kit.

JOE.G

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1982fxr

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Kastar renamed itself Lang a few years ago.

One set has more pieces. Same company, same tools.
 
OP
J

JOE.G

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The cheaper set I believe has more pieces, Wasn't sure if I was missing something. Are these decent sets? Should I look into something different?
 

lardy1

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I have Jawco. I'm very happy with them. Made In The U.S. of A, too.

EDIT: As I remember, when I was searching, it seems like the Jawco is rebranded by many.
 

rlitman

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The cheaper set I believe has more pieces, Wasn't sure if I was missing something. Are these decent sets? Should I look into something different?

Yes, the cheaper set has 8 more tools. Yes, they're decent. These are the OEM for Snap On thread restoring tools, among others.
 

decableguy2000

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I second Jawco, made in USA. Used it just the other day working on an old engine to clean up exhaust bolt holes
 

lis2323

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Yes, the cheaper set has 8 more tools. Yes, they're decent. These are the OEM for Snap On thread restoring tools, among others.


I have the Snap-on branded ones. [emoji106]

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gatlibs

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I think that they are all made by Lang. Pick whichever color of case strikes you the best or whichever price.
 

rlitman

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I think that they are all made by Lang. Pick whichever color of case strikes you the best or whichever price.

They are the biggest name in this market. If you're going with the Lang/Kastar product, I suggest considering price vs warranty. If you're visited by a Snap On truck, and expect to use them regularly and break them (the taps are breakable, but the dies, not so much), then maybe that's the way to go. For my part, I own the NC and NF Snap On die restoring sets, plus their full range of files (all flea market purchases, so I bought what was available not specifically seeking out a brand), but no restoring taps.

Then again, I can't say I've ever needed thread restoring taps. Thread restoring is about pushing rolled over damaged peaks back into place. That's something that easily happens to male threads (which a die an fix), but not really a problem with female threads. I've had corrosion and crud ****** up female threads, but in that case, a standard tap has always sufficed for me (though that use requires particular care).

After all this, if I just need to fix the mushroomed tip of a bolt (my most common need for fixing a thread), I'll reach for a fine triangle file before anything else. I use these as tools of last resort (along with rounded nut sockets, etc.).
 

lardy1

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I'm happy when I don't have to use them. But I'm very happy to have them at times. Taps and dies will cut whatever is in their way, including deformed threads. I work on Harleys quite a bit and I use them to remove the old threadlocker and grime. I like knowing I'm not removing metal and weakening the connection.
 

InjectorService

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I have the Snap-On branded one. They are great. I've used them as taps in a pinch with an impact gun. Held up great.
 

rlitman

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I'm happy when I don't have to use them. But I'm very happy to have them at times. Taps and dies will cut whatever is in their way, including deformed threads. I work on Harleys quite a bit and I use them to remove the old threadlocker and grime. I like knowing I'm not removing metal and weakening the connection.

Yeah, using a regular tap to remove threadlocker is a dangerous task.
 
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brollona

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I'm happy when I don't have to use them. But I'm very happy to have them at times. Taps and dies will cut whatever is in their way, including deformed threads. I work on Harleys quite a bit and I use them to remove the old threadlocker and grime. I like knowing I'm not removing metal and weakening the connection.

Not so simple when you try to repair stainless steel bolts or bores, or smaller shaft threads.
 

chipjumper

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Wow thank you guys for the back-tap info! I didn’t know they existed. I’ll be searching for a Powerbuilt 641133 18MM Back-Tap when they come back I stock.
 

toddmorr

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got the second one on OP's list, the Lang. Got it a year+ ago. Surprised how often I use it, almost every other day actually, albeit with only the smaller sizes it seems.
 

gnpenning

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I have more questions than answers.
Make your own of the sizes you need. Basically a bolt and nut with grooves cut for removing metal/rust etc. Die grinder and cutting wheel, add a little angle while keeping the leading edge the sharp side.
 

DFB

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I have had the Craftsman branded Lang/Kastar set for years and the larger axle rethreader set too. Both came from Sears many years ago.

Worth owning for many restoration/repair projects just for clean up or work over damage threads
 

Milton Shaw

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The kits shown have just two external thread restore files. There are two for SAE threads, one for metric, one for pipe and one for Acme threads. It takes all four to fit all the external threads I have ever run into. Amazon has most of them if you look for them. I have had one over 50 years and it pays for itself just about every time I have used it. The others standard thread ones I have acquired over the years. Still need to find the Acme but really don't run into them often.
 

HenryAZ

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For external thread repair, I really like the Nes tools (made in Israel). One size works on all threads, metric and SAE, within its size range. I have the Nes1A, which covers the range I mostly encounter.
 
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