Thread Restore Kit

Originally posted by mcarter Furpod, There is a difference between helicoils and thread restoration. One applies new threads the other restores the original thread. I have both and have used both, especially (helicoils) with aluminum parts like auto heads and outboard motors. I don't want to confuse thread restoration and helicoils, my friend. The right answer for aluminum is normally helicoils. Or like a stripped spark plug:)

Absolutely. A tap and die set has attaching tools that secure the tap or the die in a vice like holding tool. The thread restore kit uses taps and dies that secure in sockets. Much more secure and manageable, plus you get the thread tools. Try looking at a Craftsman 520105 kit you will see the difference, much more manageable and doe the job more efficiently. Check it out. Price is relatively the same.

Is there something special about a "thread restorer kit" that a simple tap and die set won't do? It seems that when you Google thread restorer kits bingo it shows tap and die sets. Hmmm? Now I do know you can buy "thread chasers" to clean up booger up threads, could you mean something like that? As for rivnuts they seem like a nifty little piece of hardware I'll have to think about using in the future. 

I am also a big fan of rivnuts, but it's a pretty advanced skill set to use/place them..