RyanPerrella

I am looking for a cheap metric thread chaser set. I have taps and ties but I want to get some thread chasers to chase all the threads in the block. I did a search on yahoo shopping and see sets fror $150. I am looking to spend $20 or so as the only ones i really care about are the 20 threads for the head bolts.

Any suggestions?

RyanPerrella

Found a set on the sears website for metric and standard threads for $45, seems pretty complete. I hate buying sae/metric sets, I never use any standard tools, I never work on older american cars.

the flyin' scotsman

Whats the diff...........thread chaser vs tap or die?

I bought a Snap-On set 20 yrs ago, T&D's, still working well.

GUMBALL

A tap or die is made to cut new threads, where a thread chaser is made to clean/repair/straighten existing threads. A thread chaser will not cut new threads, therefore, it will not "over-cut" and damage the part. Using a tap or die on existing threads can cause damage.

the flyin' scotsman

Hmmmmmmm..........20 yrs with the same T&D set and never had to use a 'chaser'.

Never caused any damage but then again Snap-On do make excellent tools.

Bill Ball

I'll admit to using tap and die as chasers/thread cleaners/restorers - carefully, with no problems yet.

GUMBALL

The key word there is "carefully"..... Threads on good hardware are rolled in and not cut. Rolled threads do not change the grain structure of the part, and as such do not leave miniscule burrs or stress risers.

Taps and dies can be used to clean threads, but when doing that, care should be so as not to increase the depth or width of the thread cut.

Hardware used in most applications are sufficiently over-engineered so that catastrophic failure is usually not an issue.

ROG100

Ryan,
Harbor Freight or Northern Tool.
Roger

RyanPerrella

Rog

I was on Harbor freights website but no "chasers", I may have better luck in the store.

Sterling,

I have taps and dies, but I wanted to get some chasers as I tried to chase one thread and is bound up and i was reluctant to give it anymore pressure and "cut" through whatever was holding it up. I am much easier about going through whatever is binding the chaser as it , by design is not supposed to cut the threads at all.

blown 87

I always use a thread chaser.

Snap-On makes a very good set of chasers, internal and external + thread files in the kit I have.

Taps, even with a good set of Snap-on's will still weaken the threaded hole, IMHO. They cut instead of rolling out the threads.

The big thing I have found out with chasers is to make sure the hole is clean, very clean.
After cleaning, I run a chaser down the hole dry and if it seems to bind, I will give it a shot of oil. if that does not work, I can still fall back on the tap.

Yea, I know that the threads were originally cut with a tap (or three), but anything I can do to keep as much metal in the threaded hole, I am all for that.

You can almost always see some metal come out of a bolt hole you run a tap down through, not so with thread chasers.

Try a good set of chasers and you will find dust growing on the tap and die set, unless you are fabricating parts, you will seldom use your Tap and Die set.

Even during fabrication, I find few things to use them on with things like Nutserts and Timeserts available.

Not trying to stir crap up here, I just like my thread chasers.
If you buy a good set of them, you will too.

I hope every one has a great Christmas.

RyanPerrella

Yeah not to rain on anyones tap and die parade but i agree, thats why i want some LOL

Santa.....WHERE ARE THEY?

Bill Ball

Not a problem. Appreciate the prespective.

SharkSkin

I'd avoid getting taps from HF. I think that you will find that precision issues aside, they will dull quickly and snap easily -- but be just as hard to remove once snapped as any other tap. Just buy the common 6-8mm sizes if you're on a budget, but get good ones.

the flyin' scotsman

Freedom of choice. Each to their own and all that.

Never to late to learn though perhaps 'chasers' may make to a list of boxing day sale stuff

69gaugeman

Actually rolled thread do change the structure of the material. Cold forming makes the structure stronger. They do push a small burr over as it displaces metal that will be removed if you use a cutting tap to chase.