Workshop

Thread Repairs With Recoil Kit

I fought a major battle with the cylinder barrel of Mechanic's Flat-Tracker project. Some kind individual had broken off two 6mm bolts in the cam chain tensioner flange. I got the remains of the bolts out but he resulting threads in the casting were a little 'under par'. I wanted to restore the threads to good order so Mr Fast'ner were called in for one of their 'Recoil' kits.

Immediately you unpack it, the Recoil product shows itself as a quality item. Housed in a steel box, complete with instructions printed inside the lid, the kit looks 'the business'. Unlike other kits I have used, the Australian manufactured Recoil set-up comes complete with a useful printed instruction leaflet, with hints and information on the availability of spares and other kits.

My kit arrived with ten inserts which are formed using diamond section stainless steel wire coiled to the same pitch as the thread you are repairing. Each insert carries a driving tang which engages with the slotted insertion tool. The tang is notched, so that it can be broken away when the job is complete.

A special oversize tap is included to cut a new thread for the insert to run in. Because the insert is a continuous wire, the tap has the same thread pitch as the original bolt. If the original thread is stripped completely, then the tap can be used straight away. If the hole still carries some thread then you may need to drill out the remains.

Because the holes I needed to repair had little threads left, I simply used the supplied tap to cut a new oversize thread . The new thread must be kept square, so keep a close check as the tap cut the first few turns.

Always advance the tap a little at a time and back off to break the swarf into small chips. Running straight in provides a real chance of jamming the tap in the thread, especially in aluminium alloy.

The Recoil insertion tool is simpler than the traditional 'helicoil' tool but works just as well. Just slip the insert onto the tool and screw it into the oversize hole . Recoil supply a second tool for removing the drive tang from the insert once you have driven it half a turn below the surface . Pop it into the hole and push down firmly. The notched driving tang will break off allowing free passage to your bolt.

It's almost too simple. After the struggle I had getting the bolts out, using Mr. Fast'ner's Recoil kit was a breath of fresh air.

Supplier

Mr Fast'ner
Unit 6/12
Warwick House Industrial Park
Banbury Road
Southam
Warks CV33 0PS

I fought a major battle with the cylinder barrel of Mechanic's Flat-Tracker project. Some kind individual had broken off two 6mm bolts in the cam chain tensioner flange. I got the remains of the bolts out but he resulting threads in the casting were a little 'under par'. I wanted to restore the threads to good order so Mr Fast'ner were called in for one of their 'Recoil' kits.
	Immediately you unpack it, the Recoil product shows itself as a quality item. Housed in a steel box, complete with instructions printed inside the lid, the kit looks 'the business'. Unlike other kits I have used, the Australian manufactured Recoil set-up comes complete with a useful printed instruction leaflet, with hints and information on the availability of spares and other kits.
My kit arrived with ten inserts which are formed using diamond section stainless steel wire coiled to the same pitch as the thread you are repairing. Each insert carries a driving tang which engages with the slotted insertion tool. The tang is notched, so that it can be broken away when the job is complete. A special oversize tap is included to cut a new thread for the insert to run in. Because the insert is a continuous wire, the tap has the same thread pitch as the original bolt. If the original thread is stripped completely, then the tap can be used straight away. If the hole still carries some thread then you may need to drill out the remains.
	Because the holes I needed to repair had little threads left, I simply used the supplied tap to cut a new oversize thread . The new thread must be kept square, so keep a close check as the tap cut the first few turns. Always advance the tap a little at a time and back off to break the swarf into small chips. Running straight in provides a real chance of jamming the tap in the thread, especially in aluminium alloy.
The Recoil insertion tool is simpler than the traditional 'helicoil' tool but works just as well. Just slip the insert onto the tool and screw it into the oversize hole . Recoil supply a second tool for removing the drive tang from the insert once you have driven it half a turn below the surface . Pop it into the hole and push down firmly. The notched driving tang will break off allowing free passage to your bolt. It's almost too simple. After the struggle I had getting the bolts out, using Mr. Fast'ner's Recoil kit was a breath of fresh air.