I have acquired a box of mostly rusty 5c collets for the cost of postage. There are a couple of good ones, but several look ugly and have damaged threads. I've dumped a handful in an electrolysis tank but I also need to clean up the threads and I'm thinking a thread file may be the way to go. Would a cheap thread file be a waste of time and money? I believe it's 20tpi and I'd welcome your recommendations.
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I vaguely remember that the thread is a saw tooth shape so be carful what you use. Probably a fine rotary brush would bring them back to fettle.
Google says that I remember incorrectly ! but I still think that a fine rotary wire brush will work wonders.
Google says that I remember incorrectly ! but I still think that a fine rotary wire brush will work wonders.
Agroshield
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Given that 5C collets are hardened, a thread file might not touch them.
The thread is UN (60 degree) form, so a triangular diamond needle file might assist.
The thread is UN (60 degree) form, so a triangular diamond needle file might assist.
brightspark
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not be making turbine parts then 
You're right there. Some look knackered but a few may be worth keeping. I was offered them sight unseen.not be making turbine parts then
A lot of the cheap thread files are advertised as suitable for restoring SAE threads, an American standard? So long as the tpi is correct, it won't matter if it's sold as SAE or imperial, will it? Never owned a thread file before.
Example here...
Example here...
An engineers file does, so I'm guessing a thread file should work?
Already done that. Cleaned up fine but revealed damaged threads on some of the collets.
brightspark
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just try a try an angular file on the damaged thread . if it cuts and doesnt just rub buy a decent thread file and give it a go i have a couple of decent bluepoint files one metric and one imperial , got me out of the s.hit a couple of times
