Cleaning and Chasing Threads

We’ve all been there, you’re assembling a project when suddenly you discover the thread inside the hole you are trying to insert the bolt into is either clogged with paint and debris or worse yet has been damaged. Naturally the best solution is to chase the threads with a tap, but sometimes you just don’t have a tap the right size and thread pitch to get the job done. But all is not lost and if you only need to chase one hole it’s seldom cost effective to run to the store searching for that one tap.
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We join Mark Simpson in the shop to give us a quick solution on how to quickly modify a bolt to efficiently clean and restore threads. Simpson demonstrates how to use a hand held cut-off tool to modify a hardened bolt with slots to effectively clean threads. This process is often necessary when threads become worn, corroded, dirty or otherwise damaged, making it difficult to thread fasteners into them. He further adds, “this is not a replacement for quality tap and dies but rather a low cost quick way to keep your project moving forward”.