</font><font color="blue" class="small">( </font><font color="blueclass=small">( Hi all,
I am in the process of replacing the toplink brackets that attach to the back of my 1602D. I removed the bolts, but they were SAE (3/8), I suspect they must have been M10-1.5 or something. Does anybody know what they are supposed to be? I would like to fix the thread (as they are in rough shape, drill out and retap, or use a helicoil. Suggestions?
Cheers,
Rob
)</font>
<font color="red">Helicoils were designed as a temporary fix, until a machine could be brought into a workshop and the hole either, oversized and retapped the next size, or welded and redrilled the origonal size.
Helicoils are only as good as the thread you screw them into.
Many years back during my apprenticeship in coal mines, we used then as a temp repair on machinery. They were forbidden to be used in bolts retaining covers on flameproof/explosionproof switchgear.
I personally haven't used them in years. I'd much prefer drilling and tapping to the next bolt size up, much better job and stronger too! </font> )</font>
Overall, I agree.... You should check these out.. They would actually make a stronger thread in most instances..
I am in the process of replacing the toplink brackets that attach to the back of my 1602D. I removed the bolts, but they were SAE (3/8), I suspect they must have been M10-1.5 or something. Does anybody know what they are supposed to be? I would like to fix the thread (as they are in rough shape, drill out and retap, or use a helicoil. Suggestions?
Cheers,
Rob
)</font>
<font color="red">Helicoils were designed as a temporary fix, until a machine could be brought into a workshop and the hole either, oversized and retapped the next size, or welded and redrilled the origonal size.
Helicoils are only as good as the thread you screw them into.
Many years back during my apprenticeship in coal mines, we used then as a temp repair on machinery. They were forbidden to be used in bolts retaining covers on flameproof/explosionproof switchgear.
I personally haven't used them in years. I'd much prefer drilling and tapping to the next bolt size up, much better job and stronger too! </font> )</font>
Overall, I agree.... You should check these out.. They would actually make a stronger thread in most instances..