Thread files

[badabec]

Hello, please move if in wrong section.
Thread files, are they meant to remove metal or just cajole the threads back into shape?
Who makes a decent one?

 

[Memmeddu]

Hello, please move if in wrong section.
Thread files, are they meant to remove metal or just cajole the threads back into shape?
Who makes a decent one?

They are somehow sharpened, they don't really cut a thread but they remove burrs from the pitches, kind reshape roll over pitches and remove sharp edges .
If I'd have to deal with a ruined thread I'd either use a tap, a die or a thread chaser.
If the thread is bigger enough you can use a regular file .
I've once had to restore an internal thread but I didn't have an M8x1mm tap, I've used an M6x1mm as a thread file instead.
It worked pretty well.

 

[8ob]

Hello, please move if in wrong section.
Thread files, are they meant to remove metal or just cajole the threads back into shape?
Who makes a decent one?

Even the cheap ones are good, they will remove material albeit slowly. Cant have enough thread rescuing gear.

Bob

 

[carbon]

I have some sykes pickavant ones, not sure I’d want to pay full price for them but managed to find some on Facebook marketplace locally. Very handy things to have

 

[brightspark]

i bought 2 sets / 1 metric and one imperial made by bluepoint 18 quid the pair i think . was over 50 years ago worth every penny got me out of the doodahh a few times

 

[MetalMonkey]

Mine are all Sykes. They are more of a "cajole" than a "cut", but will still remove small amounts of metal, especially from brass fittings. One of those seldom used, but when you need it, you need it type tools.

 

[zzr1200]

I have 3 thread files purchased years ago, they appear to be metric, unf/unc (both 60 deg thread pitch angle) and another one that is 55 deg thread pitch angle (manufactured by Noah probably) it's old enough.... .

They will cut metal easily but do need a base thread as a guide...

 

[Barking Mat]

I have a Snap On one, good for emergencies, only Snap On thing I own, don't know where I got it.

 

[winchman]

I have Sykes ones never let me down, saved me a few times

 

[Farside]

A Sykes metric one, forty years plus in the bottom of the toolbox, saved my bacon a few times.

 

[Munkul]

Sykes pickavant, they're a very useful tool to have they're really good for when one or two threads have been mashed or picked up.

 

[mcostello]

They shine when the first thread is messed up and a die has trouble starting.