Thread Chasers

The thread chaser is an invaluable tool carried by professionals throughout all kinds of industries. These handy little tools keep threads in tip-top condition, saving users a huge amount of money and time.

Cromwell stocks a large range of high-quality thread chasers, available in a variety of sizes, styles, and materials to suit any kind of thread maintenance.

What are thread chasers?

Thread chasers are an incredibly useful tool, designed to restore and refresh damaged threads without harming the base material.

Unlike threading taps, thread chasers aren't designed to create new threads. Instead, thread chasers are specifically designed to clean and repair threads that already exist.

Why a thread chaser?

Damaged or rusty threads can pose a serious safety hazard to workers and cause untold amounts of damage to equipment and machinery each year. This makes thread chasers an incredibly important tool for performing general maintenance.

Thread chasers stand apart thanks to their ability to clean and re-form existing threads, rather than cut new ones like a threading tap would. This ensures no excess thread material is removed, which is vital when working with critical torque load threaded holes (such as cylinder heads). Thread chasers also prevent cross-threading or crooked threads, making them a highly reliable method of re-invigorating old, damaged, or rusty threads.

When are thread chasers used?

Thread chasers are used throughout manufacturing and engineering industries for all kinds of applications. Their ability to restore threads without removing any metal is highly valued in the automotive and aerospace industries, as well as throughout factories and workshops across a whole range of industries.

Types of thread chaser

There are a few different types of thread chaser; each with their own benefits and use cases. Here are the main types of thread chasing tools available:

• Die nuts - The most common type of thread chaser, die nuts are shaped like a traditional hex or square nut. They are twisted through the damaged thread and can be operated easily with a standard set or box spanner.
• Hand chasers - Hand chasers are used manually on lathe-turned threads to clean and reinstate threads.
• Thread files - Similar to hand chasers but can be used without a lathe. Thread files are used similarly to traditional files, as users run them along the threads to overlap the good threads and re-file damaged ones.

If you're looking for personalised recommendations on the right type of thread chaser for your usage, ask our experts for specialised advice.

Considerations when buying a thread chaser

The main consideration when purchasing thread chasing tools of any kind is the material of the thread chaser. There are two common choices here:
• HSS (High speed steel) - The most common and readily available thread chaser material, HSS chasers are affordable and effective.
• Carbon Steel - Carbon steel thread chasers offer superb durability, reliability, and strength at a premium over regular HSS thread chasers.

FAQs

How does a thread chaser work?

Thread chasers work by tracing over existing threads, removing rust, debris, and warping. They are not made for cutting new threads.

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