Which thread repair kit

[PositronicRay]

Hi I have a couple of stripped M6 threads in an aluminium casting.

When I googled "Helicoil" a vast and confusing array of kits came up.

Would something like this be okay?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131-Piece-Helicoil-Type-...

[markw996]

That's the kit I bought to repair a stripped thread in an aluminium mounting for my motorcycle steering damper.
It worked perfectly, but be careful if using stainless steel fasteners due to galling, you may need special grease to prevent it.

[one eyed mick]

That is very comprehensive kit and should last a life time unless you are really cack handed it would service a prorepair set up and at the price is a steal , very tempted my self . Re Specialgrease a smear of coppa slip is all thats needed

[thebraketester]

If you want to go "balls out" then buy a time sert kit.

More expensive though.

[227bhp]

Unbranded Chinese parts, but if it does the job......

[PositronicRay]

Thanks chaps.

I'll order one.

[Pumaracing]

That's extraordinarily cheap. I've acquired most of the common metric helicoil sizes over the years as various threads in race engines needed repairing and the pukka Helicoil ones are about 20 quid per kit. I'm hence a little wary about the quality and also the wording where it says "helicoil type". However if someone above has used one and it's ok then it would seem to be a bargain.

[buzzer]

Thats really cheap. My only concern woulb be the quality of the taps... Are they HSS?

[E-bmw]

I haven't used that kit, but do have one of their single size kits (looks the same) I assumed they said "helicoil type" to remove any potential issues with pedants saying they aren't made by helicoil (they wouldn't be at that price) and found the gear to be of a quality good enough for occasional use.

I did buy a better quality tap to make sure of the quality, but didn't need to when I saw them.

[one eyed mick]

The best idea is not to b-----ks any threads! merry christmas!

[ouninpohja]

If you want to repair a thread in aluminium use a keensert they are far better than a heli-coil or timesert. You can get them from Clarendon engineering in the motorsport section.

[PositronicRay]

ouninpohja said:

If you want to repair a thread in aluminium use a keensert they are far better than a heli-coil or timesert. You can get them from Clarendon engineering in the motorsport section.

Looks useful, but a bit more than necessary. It's a non critical part, a cover that locates the coils over the plugs. 2 of 6 threads stripped, I've ordered the cheapie ebay kit.

[thebraketester]

I don't see how they are "far better than timesert" look identical bar the locking pins, you just use thread lock on the timesert.

[ouninpohja]

thebraketester said:

I don't see how they are "far better than timesert" look identical bar the locking pins, you just use thread lock on the timesert.

Have you tried using both then?

[thebraketester]

Not used keensert. If you have then can you elaborate on why the are so much better than time sert. ( genuine question. Not being wky here)

[ouninpohja]

thebraketester said:

Not used keensert. If you have then can you elaborate on why the are so much better than time sert. ( genuine question. Not being wky here)

They are not very good for blind holes as you need to pass the fitting tool fully through the insert for it to expand the insert also you can't use loctite on any bolt you screw into them as they can wind out again.

[thebraketester]

Ahh yes. I see you. :-)

[Mr2Mike]

thebraketester said:

Ahh yes. I see you. :-)

Note that the Keenserts have a disadvantage over both Helicoil and Timeserts; the drill size required is significantly larger. e.g. for an M10 insert, a Helicoil or Timesert requires a 10.3mm drill bit, but a Keensert requires a 12.8mm drill. If you have the material available around the hole then great, but quite often (IME) you don't.

[PositronicRay]

Used the ebay kit and all is good for this application.

[buzzer]

Mr2Mike said:

Note that the Keenserts have a disadvantage over both Helicoil and Timeserts; the drill size required is significantly larger. e.g. for an M10 insert, a Helicoil or Timesert requires a 10.3mm drill bit, but a Keensert requires a 12.8mm drill. If you have the material available around the hole then great, but quite often (IME) you don't.

Glad you are Sorted OP...

I agree with this about Keenserts... I cant think of any applications where I would chose one over a Helicoil type... I serviced a Laverda Jota once and when I removed the plugs, all three bought out the Keensert with them. I was not impressed!