Anybody got a huge tap and die set?

[davesax36]

I need to tun a tap through my swingarm mount points and probably put the bolts through as well. Apparently the first thread on the left side is smashed down and won't let the bolt go through freely. I really don't feel like I should ruin a perfectly good set of swingarm mounting bolts just so I can get everything finished up today.

Let me know if you've got a set I could borrow for a couple days or could somebody post the size and pitch of the threads so I can go search. None of the harware stores are gonna have something that size.

:bang head::bang head::bang head:

 

[one2dmax]

I don't think I have anything that large?

 

[davesax36]

I think it's an M22x1.5. I found a tap and a die on amazon for like $30 each. I'll see if any of the tool rental places around here have anything that big. My set only goes to M12 or 14 and it's crappy anyway. It's just the first and last threads that took a hit when I was trying to hold the U-joint still and crank on it. I'm an idiot.

 

[wildweasel_pt]

Get a swingarm bolt and cut some grooves with an angle grinder and you got yourself a tap. if its difficult to get it in (so to speak) make a conical shape on the tip of the bolt.

 

[davesax36]

I don't think the bolt is hard enough to reshape the mushed threads. I might try it, though.

 

[wildweasel_pt]

Don't think so but you can cut the grooves and then torch it till its red and then quench it in oil and then try again.

 

[PATMAX]

I like cutting an old swing arm bolt but I don't cut like pictured. I cut thre or four notches lengthwise at a 45 to the bolt. I may chamfer the tip a tiny bit.
My biggest trick is to just thread in from the backside. If the threads are mashed so bad front to back, I may be leary of re tapping.
You'll have to be the judge of that.

 

[davesax36]

The first thread on both ends is what's messed up. I only turned my bolt on far enough to mess up the first thread as well. I'll probably just get a good used bolt and run the tap all the way through the frame.

 

[Miles Long]

You could probably buy a 1.5 pitch thread file much cheaper than a tap, but I would try this first, especially since it's only the first thread that's mushed up-
use the largest commonly-available 1.5 pitch tap that you have or can borrow, (such as a 10mmx1.5), put it in a tap holder, and rotate it around the mushed thread area, holding it at a slight outward angle.
Prior to doing this, if it's really mushed up, go around the first thread with a round file, to take off the excess metal.
Cheers!

 

[davesax36]

You could probably buy a 1.5 pitch thread file much cheaper than a tap, but I would try this first, especially since it's only the first thread that's mushed up-
use the largest commonly-available 1.5 pitch tap that you have or can borrow, (such as a 10mmx1.5), put it in a tap holder, and rotate it around the mushed thread area, holding it at a slight outward angle.
Prior to doing this, if it's really mushed up, go around the first thread with a round file, to take off the excess metal.
Cheers!

I'm gonna head to the store right now. I wonder if I can fix the bolt the same way.

 

[[email protected]]

Get a thread file as Miles noted. It takes a little time but they do work. I picked up a set at sears. I've used them multiple times. Tha definitely come in handy. Last use was on a go kart axle.

http://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...5373d1358976805-axle-thread-repair-files2-jpg

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[davesax36]

I fixed the bolt with a tap I already had. I'll look for thread files later, but I'm gonna try the same technique on the frame. I only have to fix about 1 inch of thread. That's the worst part. I got the bolt working enough to put it through the other side of the frame by hand, so It's at least close. No major sticking. I'll see what we end up with. Thanks guys.