Craftsman 48 pc. SAE & Metric Thread Restorer Kit

Weak metal April 25, 2011

This set and the 40 piece set are made of weak metal and the taps are not sharp. The taps will bind and possibly break when you try to clean out rusty threads. This set might be ok for light work but I would recommend one of the other more expensive sets. See my review for the 40 piece set.

Thread Restorer saves! September 01, 2010

I've had this set for probly over 5years and it has saved me many times. I would much rather save a nut or bolt or even a wheel stud than have to replace the part. I have used it mainly to save damaged wheel studs.  The files are very handy also for that last helpful fix.

Craftsman 48 pc SAE amd Metric Thread Restorer Kit, good quality June 03, 2010

First let me state that I have a large collection of tools.  Mostly Craftsman, but also a respectable number of Snap-On, Mac Tools, and Matco Tools.  I buy Craftsman as I feel they are a very good value for the home mechanic, DIYer, or tinkerer.

I ordered this set as I was replacing a water pump on my brothers diesel truck.  The replacement pump was a rebuild and expensive, and we had to wait for delivery.  We didn't want to return it for another rebuild.  Most all of the bolt holes were damaged when we received it but not destroyed.  They were also metric.  I have a large Craftsman tap and die set but it is SAE only.  Here was my excuse to buy a thread restore kit.

My local Sears did not have it on the shelf, nor did the larger Sears 'in town'.  My local store was able to order it for me (shipped to my house, not in-store pickup).  Upside is that I did not have to pay shipping.  Down side is I had to pay state tax.  I went this route as it did save me a couple of bucks and actually arrived at my house sooner then if I ordered on line.  Thanks local Sears store owner.

This set is the first thread restorer kit I've owned, so I have no other to compare it to.  With that said it is a good quality tool.  I had to repair a lot of 8mm bolt holes and a few bolts.  After completing the job, the tools show some marks from use, but no wear.  I like that the kit contains multiple pieces of the same size for common sizes.  What I don't like is that it does not have an equal balance between SAE and metric, containing more metric pieces.  Most of what I work on is older U.S. cars/trucks/tractors.  So, for my use a balance between the two standards would had been appreciated.  This is NOT why the tool set lost a star as I do understand most machines have gone the way of the metric system.  Political view withheld.

The case is where this set lost the 5th star.  The case over all is ok for a foriegn made cheap tool, but does not stack up well against other Craftsman tool cases I own.  Most of the pieces fit well into the case.  The problem comes from the smaller bolt thread chasers.  The case molds are just not deep enough to hold the pieces in place at all.  There is the standard piece of foam included with the set that is designed to hold pieces in place with the lid shut, but it is undersized for the task.  I imagine this is done to save a penny along the way.  Shame too as this is, from initial impression and first-time use, a good quality set of tools.  It is a wast to cut corners  on the case and loose a 5-star rating.  Come on Craftsman, the economy is slow, we're all feeling it.  But really, a less then impressive injection molding case?  You were so close.  I hope Craftsman reads these reviews.

Over all a great tool.  As I use it more I'll be able to gauge it better in terms of fair-wear-and-tear.  Just wish I had a quality case to go with it.  One that will hold all the tools in place when the case gets turned this way and that when passing into and from the tool box.

A very high quality product and made in the USA November 24, 2009

I purchased my set about a year ago and I have used it extensively to repair damaged bolt threads and to clean up tapped holes when you do not want any of the original material removed.  I do a lot of car restoration work and if a customer wants the original fasteners to be reused in certain areas for judging criteria.  I will run the them through the thread restorer to remove years of rust to put the fastener back to as manufactured size.  And I will run the chasers through the any tapped hole that has had paint or rust find its way into it which interferes with the bolt fit.  I always just use a little Tap-Magic when using them and I have had nothing but success.  Made in the USA.  Great Product.