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Thread: Source for thread chasers?

  1. #1
    Boolit Grand Master In Remembrance
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    Source for thread chasers?

    Hi all.

    I need a set of SAE thread chasers, cheap is preferred; 1/4-20" and smaller. (I have a storage rack and am bolting "J-hooks" onto it, but need to shorten the bolts and clean up the threads so the bolts aren't over length.) In setting up to move I cannot get at the tap and die set - Oops.

    Thanks!

  2. #2
    Boolit Master
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    This may be to shade tree for you , but I just run a nut on them before cutting then clean up the cut with a file , cut off wheel or belt sander then back the nut off works fine for me 99.9% of the time.

  3. #3
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by onelight View Post
    This may be to shade tree for you , but I just run a nut on them before cutting then clean up the cut with a file , cut off wheel or belt sander then back the nut off works fine for me 99.9% of the time.
    This is what I usually do too. Over the years I've accumulated many taps & dies though. If you want a cheap set of SAE taps & dies check out Harbor Freight. I don't like their stuff but many people use them, I'd trust the dies over the taps. https://www.harborfreight.com/Carbon...-Pc-62831.html

  4. #4
    Boolit Master
    DHDeal's Avatar
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    You can try McMaster Carr for all stuff nuts, bolts, taps, and dies. They ship super fast too.

  5. #5
    Boolit Master


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    Small Tools Inc. located in Euclid, OH. I've found taps and dies from 0-80 to over an inch, they have metric as well some Whitworth and BSF. New and used. Call them and tell them what your looking for. The owner is Bill, he or his wife will answer the phone
    “Let us endeavor so to live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry.”
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  7. #7
    Boolit Grand Master

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    Many of the lesser expensive electrical crimping tools have thread chasers on them. Most I have seen are machine screw sizes like #'s 6,8,10 and 12. You screw the screw into it, cut it off and back it out.

  8. #8
    Boolit Grand Master In Remembrance
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    A nut would do it for me for this probably, the plan is to cut the bolts shorter then thread lock the acorn nuts on (otherwise my hands get cut up a lot when reaching past these; I'd been using nylon wire ties but the J hooks are heavily loaded at times so they were stretching / breaking too often.)

    So a nut would clean the threads up "well enough" to get the acorn nuts on.

    I'll look at the other places too, thanks all!

  9. #9
    Boolit Grand Master

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    I ussually cut and chamfer with a gile. running a nut down first. Use a fine blde in the hacksaw like 32 tpi

  10. #10
    Boolit Grand Master In Remembrance
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    file instead of gile? (Typos happen!) I probably will use a cutoff wheel in the rotary tool.

  11. #11
    Boolit Grand Master

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    Sorry my keyboard is getting old ( like the user). The cut off wheel will work then a mounted point and chamfer end. If the studs arent to long chuck inn drill motor and spin to cut chamfer. I have done it all with the cut off wheel. Chuck in lathe cut chamfer first to dept the square wheel and cut off. this gives a solid surface for the wheel and keeps threads from pulling the cut. Makes a very professional job

  12. #12
    Boolit Buddy gumbo333's Avatar
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    Run 2 nuts on, then tighten against each other to lock where you want to cut. Much easier. Then clean up, taper with the file.
    Never trade luck for skill.

  13. #13
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    DonMountain's Avatar
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    Everybody needs a set of those square thread files. I reach for them before I get out the die set. They are really good at restoring threads that have been damaged or bumped or rusted. When you live on a farm with some old equipment the files are a must.

  14. #14
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by DonMountain View Post
    Everybody needs a set of those square thread files. I reach for them before I get out the die set. They are really good at restoring threads that have been damaged or bumped or rusted. When you live on a farm with some old equipment the files are a must.
    Yep and they pack lighter than a full set of dies. I've got 2 that cover 16 pitches.
    Mal

    Mal Paso means Bad Pass, just so you know.

  15. #15
    Boolit Grand Master



    M-Tecs's Avatar
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    The term thread chasers general refers to solid hex dies that look like normally threading dies. These are not designed for cutting new threads. There primary purpose is for thread repair. https://www.mcmaster.com/thread-chasers
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  16. #16
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mal Paso View Post
    Yep and they pack lighter than a full set of dies. I've got 2 that cover 16 pitches.
    It must be the same set of thread files I have also. And they work very well as thread gauges too to figure out how many threads per inch an unknown bolt has. That and a bolt diameter gauge determine all you need to go purchase a new bolt when needed.

  17. #17
    Boolit Master 44magLeo's Avatar
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    Why not just buy shorter bolts?
    Most hardware stores carry bolts of various lengths in most diameters.
    Leo

  18. #18
    Boolit Grand Master In Remembrance
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    Did you try the Internet for vendors? https://www.google.com/search?q=thre...=firefox-b-1-m
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  19. #19
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    See if you can borrow a die from a friend. You still might need to touch up where it was cut off.

  20. #20
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    Might give Fastenal a try also.
    Good luck.Have fun.Be safe.
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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check