Why would you need a HeliCoil?

Why would you need a HeliCoil?

HELICOIL® is the preferred choice of many leading engineers worldwide who need to strengthen, reinforce or repair screw threads in soft alloy components. HELICOIL® inserts ensure high-strength threads, transferring forces from flank to flank into the holding thread.

Can I use a regular tap for a HeliCoil?

Can a standard tap be used instead? Once installed, the internal threads of the HeliCoil insert are designed for use with standard sizes of fasteners. To work correctly, the spacing of the coils of the HeliCoil wire is installed with the same pitch (spacing between threads) as the fastener for which it is intended.

What is the difference between HeliCoil tap and regular tap?

A screw thread insert tap, or STI tap, operates in the same manner as a “standard” tap. However, the difference is that STI taps produce an oversized thread specifically for E-Z Coil™ inserts. STI taps are ideal for softer metals that require a strong threaded insert.

What is the purpose of a tap hole?

A tapped hole is a hole drilled prior to a machine screw being inserted. A tapped hole is similar to a pilot hole, except that it is usually larger, and has threads cut into the inside surface of the hole. Tapped holes are used in metals where a nut and bolt cannot be used.

Can you install a HeliCoil without tool?

Yes, the helicoil insert requires a special tap. The insert can be installed without the tool with some jockying. Invariably, if you do not purchase the entire helicoil set, something else will break that’s the same size bolt.

What’s better than a helicoil?

Time Sert inserts for head bolt applications are much thicker than the Helicoil brand. They are more like a solid metal bushing which is threaded on the inside and out. The Time Sert brand insert is installed with a special driver.

Can you tap on a lathe?

Tapping is the process of cutting a thread inside a hole so that a cap screw or bolt can be threaded into the hole. Also, it is used to make thread on nuts. Tapping can be done on the lathe by power feed or by hand.

Should I use Loctite on helicoils?

Helicoils designed to be put into dry holes do not use any form of loctite or thread seal. A helicoil when inserted properly will have movement inside hole they are inserted into. This is to alow for expansion and contraction of the metal.

What’s the difference between tap and helicoil insert?

Unlike a standard tap, the threads are the same, but the diameter is slightly larger, yielding more grip for the insert. Once the hole is cleaned out, the supplied tap was used to cut the new threads for the insert. Here is where the process alters depending on the thread pitch of your fastener, coarse or fine.

What kind of thread to use for helicoil insert?

Thread the new hole with the correct tap for the size of insert you have. These taps are not standard 60 degree thread taps, they are specific STI (Screw Thread Insert) tools. Unlike a standard tap, the threads are the same, but the diameter is slightly larger, yielding more grip for the insert.

What are the tolerances for a heli coil tap?

Heli-Coil taps in various types and styles produce holes for Tolerance Classes 4H5H or 3B and 5H or 2B for use in the general range of aluminums, magnesiums, mild steels, free machining stainless steels and other free machining materials.

What do you need to use a helicoil kit?

Helicoils are also typically stronger than the metal you are putting them into, so chances of stripping out the thread again are just about zilch. Basically a helicoil kit usually consists of a number of helicoils, thread tapper and a couple of tools to put the kit in.