I have an old star, it was completely shot when I got it. I welded up all the linkage holes and drilled new holes. New pins. New brass bushings to tighten things up. Thing functions like new. So.... I ordered die and a top punch from lathesmith. Got them in the mail and Ran out to the shop! AAAhhhh! Top punch threads are stripped out! I can push the punch up threw the threads. Forgive me for not knowing exact but I think the punch measures about .479 ish. And measured.499 up in my star. Threads were smeared.
I have looked online at helicoil and rivet inserts. Thread in self tapping inserts. Threaded bushings. I think I only get one shot at fixing this thing. I know I won’t be able to get back to 1/2-27. But maybe 1/2-20. Or 3/8-24.
Anybody ever fixed one?