M6 Helicoil Kit - any good ?

[Paul90]

I'm currently repairing a little Honda engine and a few of the M6 threads have been stripped by previous owners.

I'm looking at one of these kits:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/M6-x-1-0-Metric-Thread-Repair-Kit-Armstrong-HeliCoil_W0QQitemZ150074837134QQihZ005QQcategoryZ121893QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

I've got about 5 threads to do and they are all into soft alloy.
What do you think - is the kit up to the job or not ?

I've tapped a good few threads in the past so I'm confident I can do this if the kit is decent quality.

Also, does anyone know the thread size that the helicoil insert screws into ?
I don't suppose I can tap a standard M8 thread and just buy some of the inserts rather than the whole kit (yes, I am a tight git).

Paul

 

[Deleted account 220427002]

IIRC helicoils tap the other way... i think.. had it done to a header once and it worked fine

 

[Flipfly]

Helicoils rock!!! eally good quality and highly recommended. If I had time I'd helicoil the bike all over, that way I'd never strip a thread!!!!

 

[dazco]

Standard "m" size Helicoils are threaded the same way as a conventional thread, and no its not just a case of using a bigger tap for the insert.
As far as im aware its a funny thread angle as opposed to the 60' used on a metric thread.
If youve got a good few holes to re tap it would be well worth buying a kit.
The inserts can be bought cheap enough.
Its the tap and and insertion tool that costs the money

 

[Boxadog]

We use wire thread insert by the hundred.

That looks a bit pricey.

Try your nearest Cromwell Tools.

Should be about 20 quid for the kit
Tap drill insertion tool and about 10 inserts.

Bob

 

[Greg Masters]

A Heli-Coil stainless steel insert into aluminium will be stronger than the original thread.

The drill size is usually the size of the original thread ie an M6 Heli-Coil will require a 6mm drill - but you should use the drill-bit supplied with the kit or as specified.

The thread must be cut with the supplied tap - it isn't a standard size. The tpi will be the same as an M6 but the size will be unusual.

Greg

 

[Voyager]

I have quite a few 'helecoil' sets going up to 16mm (tractor restoration !).

The kits come with the drill bit - which is not a standard size, the tap for the insert - which is not a standard size or profile, the insertion tool and around a dozen coils.

The coils are longer when inserted than they are in the box - I wouldn't advise trying to put two into one hole if you have a long bolt/setscrew ('coz I've done that too).

Well worth the trouble and always useful to have in the workshop.

Bob.

 

[trotsky]

I had to insert a thread repair after ham fisted tightening of one of the rocker cover bolts.

The kit I bought from Namrick came with ten inserts, the required tap (and a good quality one too), the insertion tool and a break off tool. The only thing it didn't have was the drill bit which, for M6, was a 6.3mm (1/4 inch). Guess whose drills were all metric and went 5mm, 5.5mm, 6mm, 6.5mm? I work near a good supplier though and a good 1/4 inch drill bit only cost £4.

Worked really well. As said previously, stronger than the original thread.

 

[GEOFFREY DEACON]

The E Bay kit is not a Heli coil kit, but a copy of it, Helicoil is a trade name for a inclusive kit and is top quality,at a price.
I have used all sorts of coil kits and I would only use a "Helicoil" kit on specific engine work.
Other kits are fine and cheaper.