These are made in Racine, WI by Kastar (a division of A & E Tools) They re-brand the item for sears,snap-on etc. so save the tool truck price and buy the sears one, it's the same kit just re-branded
I agree. The reason that auto techs buy the sets from the tool trucks is that Snap-on, Matco, etc., WILL replace any broken rethreading taps or dies in the set for the foreseeable future. The rest of us slobs have to find a local shop or online merchant that can sell us the needed replacement. Techs need quick turnaround, so it may be worth it to them. However, so much is available online now that it no longer makes sense to pay extra for the set on the truck.
Rather than use the thread file to clean out dirt and loose matter (as you've shown in your video), I would suggest using a stainless steel wire brush to loosen and remove it first. If you were using a thread file, the caked-on gunk might cause the file to slip and damage the threads. After I felt I had gotten as much out as I could with the brush, I'd oil the threads and run the die or file over it. It's an extra step perhaps, but it prevents mishaps that the file might cause if it slips. I suspect most people will have more need for the thread restorer kit than they will for an actual tap and die set. I have both, but rarely need the tap and die set in a repair situation.Thanks for doing these reviews. I appreciate your manner of presentation in showing the variety of tools out there that can make repair jobs simpler.
A nice demo vid. For us old guys it's like Duh, but there are those out there watching that hasn't used these tools before and does not know all the tips. With this in mind you may have wanted to stress the point in Not using the old nut as a re-threader instead of the correct chaser, the nuts are not hard enough to properly re-chase the threads and while they may feel tight and secure they could be damaged and prone to failure. Also for those out there trying to rebuild an engine for the first time, NEVER reuse Head and Connecting rod bolts no mater how good they may look (although many a mechanic has done so). New bolts are made to stretch a certain amount when torquing down, old bolts are already stretched and may not torque correctly, the cost of new head bolts is not equal to the cost of new heads.
I have had this same kit for over twenty years only with the "SnapOn" name on the box. One of the best tools I have purchased, it has saved my but on countless occations.
I bought the Mac version and my Mac guy said he will warranty the pieces for me. Makes it worth the tool truck price for me on this set. Great reviews.
i bought the kit from matco while it was on sale for like $110 and i got lifetime warranty on all the pieces and that actually worked out cus in the 2 years ive had it ive damaged and worn out quite a few of these pieces and they were replaced for free. i guess price worked out for lifetime use
Here in the rust belt, I use the crap out of this kit on suspensions wherever a threaded component is being re-used. Mostly just to get the rust bunnys off an otherwise non-damaged thread. Internal and external. Clean threads are extremely important when torquing everything down to spec.
I work for a Sears store in Sandusky Ohio and we had 10+ of these 48 pc exact set in stock over christmas. Just so you guys know some stores do have them in stock, so its worth a quick look or even just a phone call
Ive also just used a nut with a slot cut through one side in a wrench or vice grips to restore threads on studs. Or file a flute into a bolt to clean up internal threads.
RTR--While you can use the thread files w/o cleaning the threads first, you might consider using a wire brush instead to loosen/remove any dirt or corrosion in the threads. I find that the work goes faster, and then I can easily run the repair die over any areas of the fastener that are damaged.
Damn now that looks like a real nice set, are the ones off the internet made in the u.s.a. or not, last weekend my 23 year old came and got me to help him change the oil in his Tahoe and GMC Sierra he used to take them to one of those oil change places (not any more) they had the drain plug in so tight a 6 point wrench and 6 point socket just rounded the drain plug out, went to O'Reilly,s and got a set Irwin bolt grip socket,s tapped the right one on and it came out with no problems first turn of the Ratchet got to be the best tool ever for rounded out nuts and bolts. sorry for the long comment.
The other day I saw a RU-vid video made by a younger machinist (approx. 40 y.o.). He indicated that dies used to CUT new threads were hex-shaped, and that dies used for RESTORATION were supposed to be round. That was a practical measure to insure that someone didn't accidentally try to cut new threads with a restoration die, which would be damaged if used that way. That obviously isn't the case any longer. I believe they expect the person to use the same die wrench for both sets, as they have NOT provided die wrenches with this kit; they did not provide a tap wrench, either. You can use a deep socket with the dies, but I'd prefer my die wrenches for bolts that were severely corroded or had a lot of damage to the threads to insure the best result. I've had the 48-piece Craftsman set for four years now, and it's been a lifesaver for me.
As he says in this video always use some sort of lubrication when using a tap and die or thread chaser/restorer. Preferably machinists oil or cutting oil. I personally like to spray my taps and thread chasers out with brake clean to remove the gunk and shavings when I'm done.
Matco warranties their rethreading taps and dies.I broken one in my Matco set and my dealer replaced it with no problem.The Matco set is a 51 piece set.The rethreading taps and dies also clean out paint in threads,bolts are a pain to install with paint in a threaded hole such as in a cylinder head.
wafrederick I figured some would, since they have to justify the price jump. I guess if someone wears these out quickly it would make sense, but I have used them over a year & never had any issues.
Just FYI this is cheaper on tooltopia by about $10-15. I almost bought it on amazon but found it cheaper. Love buying stuff that is made for all the bigger manufactures but doesn't have 300% the markup!
CTA makes a 53 piece version that is made in USA for around $115. Everybody should have a version of this set in their toolbox. They are probably made by the same person.
+Eduardo Florian For cleaning threads that would be ok.....however the thread restore kit actually will "fix" damaged threads because it can push them back into the correct orientation VS only cleaning debris out like a wire brush.
I just got this set today in the mail. I had one question regarding the yellow tap metric things. Notice how their are (3) 12 and (3) 10 seems to be different thread sizes
I have an electric motor with a damaged axle thread as you showed on your No.2 bolt. Is it possible to go down a size & re-thread the valleys so you have good threads for the full length? Would the current threads have to be removed with a lathe first? Thank you.
Snap On's taps and dies are made by Irwin.Matco warranties their taps and dies including the rethreading taps and dies.Irwin also makes Matco's taps and dies.Mac,has to be badly damaged to warranty their taps and dies.I sent in a couple taps to Mac to get warrantied that were badly damaged receiving new ones.
Steve Rob Sears = $50.....quite a bit lower than the others.....the main difference is the warranty (tool trucks often will warranty these even though they are consumables).
BrenticusMaximus1 I am trying to get the Gearwrench ones, but have not had any luck as of yet. I will definitely be doing a review if I can get a set though. Thanks!
the only problem with the video is mangled threads dont occur where the video depicts. they always seem to happen on the very end, where the nut refuses to start. If you look close at the close up, the thread chaser also cuts out the mashed over threads that are in the valley of the threads with the tops removed. Cleaning the treads on a wire wheel is what most mechanics do if the intent is to clean threads. The best thread restorer for male ends that I saw online, looks like a split socket thats held together by a ring I think. It 's slipped over the stud in a clear section of good thread and a socket is placed over the tool and its backed off. if money is no object, get a complete set or maybe the ones you mostly use like wheel lugs. I've used a Craaftsman T&D set and two thread files metric and standard for over 40 years and haven't found the need for much else besides an additional small T&D set for small nuts and bolts. Still use them all the time. My set also came with a thread gauge that looks like a feeler gauge to identify thread sizes.
+Bryce Weber Well, you can sometimes clean up threads & remove debris with a standard nut or bolt ---- but the reason that these work so well is the fact that they have grooves cut into the threads that allow the debris to eject & not become wedged tighter into the threads. I use these all the time, not only to remove dirt/crud/corrosion, but also to push threads back into place that have been damaged (smashed, bent, etc). They do not cut away material like a tap & die set will, these push materials back to where they need to be.
yep, the Craftsman set is made by Kastar/Lang right here in USA. This set is rebranded and sold by numerous companies (including truck brands MAC, Matco, etc.) but the original manufacturer is Kastar/Lang.
The thread file with this kit seems to have very blunt tips and doesn't dig deep into the root of the thread, the nicholson thread repair files appear to have a much sharper and pointier pattern that should get deeper to remove dirt and mangled metal more effectively That's the primary reason I bought the nicholson over the lang/craftsman tool
I seen matco has a 51 pc set but twice the cost life time warranty but I'm still on the fence ha ha I find tool trucks hard to buy from even tho my matco dealer is awesome
Weird I never knew Craftsman had this. Ironically I went around to several stores looking for a weird size screw I damaged taking it off a Craftsman table saw.
+dingthefries These dont just clean out dirt from external threads.....they will "push" the damaged threads back into the working condition (wire wheels will not) & also will clean out and restore internal threads (wire wheels will not).
+dingthefries These dont just clean out dirt from external threads.....they will "push" the damaged threads back into the working condition (wire wheels will not) & also will clean out and restore internal threads (wire wheels will not).
As soon as I saw those studs I already knew they were off a Subaru 😂. Those cars are a pile of junk. I'm assuming it needed head gaskets or a short block like all of the other ones out there.
