Thread Restore Kit

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

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. 

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.

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:)