heli coil too long- how to proceed?

[steveo3002]

got a helicoil in a alloy housing , access both sides , the coil is too long

before i dive in , whats the best way to lop it off

was thinking wind in until flush with the underside then knick the top off with a dremel?

 

[Shox Dr]

Cut it down before fitting, pliers will do it

 

[hotponyshoes]

You can get them in various lengths...

 

[Maker]

You can get them in various lengths...

Böllhoff kits come with 1x, 1.5x and 2x diameter helicoils, very nice but not cheap kits (Still cheaper than Timeserts).

 

[roofman]

they are brittle, snip it off with a pair of snips of all things

 

[Keithmac]

Böllhoff kits come with 1x, 1.5x and 2x diameter helicoils, very nice but not cheap kits (Still cheaper than Timeserts).

I'd use a Timesert any day over a helicoil personally..

 

[Alan Reynolds]

Definitely cut it before inserting. Gently with a Dremel leaves a nice cut end.
Cutting once it’s in can get messy.

 

[hotponyshoes]

If there is access to both sides I'd install it before cutting. Set the front to the correct depth. Then stick a sacrificial bolt in to just proud of the back side to hold it in place. Grind both the excess coil and bolt down together until flush. Wind the bolt through a bit more, debur and remove.
That will leave the good end on the side where you want to pick the thread up.

 

[tom2207]

I'd use a Timesert any day over a helicoil personally..

both have their uses .

 

[Shox Dr]

I'd use a Timesert any day over a helicoil personally..

Not so easy to cut a Timesert down though

 

[PhillipM]

And I'd use a Helicoil over a timesert any day. There's a reason Helicoils are well proven in aviation.

 

[steveo3002]

its already been tapped for a helicoil , its in a gearbox bellhousing id previously done it in situ , now ive got the box out i realise its too long and would like to make a better repair

assume timeserts use a different tap to helicoil? not really prepared to buy all the kit at the moment

 

[PhillipM]

As the rest said a set of good sidecutters to nick the coil, twist and it'll snap where the nick is, or the same with a grinding wheel, they're pretty easy to shorten.

 

[brightspark]

they are brittle, snip it off with a pair of snips of all things

if your not fussy about taking the edge of them

 

[Maker]

if your not fussy about taking the edge of them

Use a shagged old pair from the autojumble, don't go cutting up helicoils with shiny new Lindstrøms.

 

[roofman]

if your not fussy about taking the edge of them

You are right...i have a pair of blunt snips to prove it