Handling Stripped Threads

There is nothing more annoying than stripped threads. When a thread is stripped or just somehow mangled, it slows down the work you are doing. In one fell swoop, a steady work flow becomes interrupted.

You can use threaded inserts in helping you repair a stripped screw. Threaded inserts are used to either repair a stripped threaded hole or to provide a more durable threaded hole in softer materials that can withstand repeated assembly and disassemble or other types of hash activity. They come in two varieties, solid and wire.

Solid inserts are tubes with a thread on the inside and outside. Some inserts also have methods of being locked down that will prevent the insert from coming out when unscrewing the fastener that is inserted. The solid insert repairs the thread by providing a new thread within the original hole. As the tube also has threads on the outside and has a snug fit within the hole, the threads on the outside of the solid insert push into the surface of the hole, digging in so the new threading remains secure.

In this fashion, the new thread grips the hole and gives the fastener a new thread to grip to.

Wire inserts, on the other hand, are wires of a specific diameter and shape that are coiled up, almost like a spring. Generally these are of larger diameter than the hole they are inserted into so that they hold themselves in tightly but they have a smaller thickness than the tube. They provide the same thread repair capabilities as solid inserts but might be useful in places where the hole needs a threaded insert that is not as thick as a solid insert.

When repairing a thread with an insert, drill out all the damaged thread with the appropriately sized bit. Then, tap a thread into the hole and thread the insert into the hole. If there is a tang or some type of locking key, make sure those are dealt with as well.

When repairing a stripped thread with an insert, make sure to take care of the problem with the right method. Removing and attaching fasteners over and over again will cause wear and tear on the threads. Repair them correctly and the time you spend will be worthwhile.