Helicoil

would a Heli-coil make a aluminum thread stronger?? just a thought

A heli-coil is generally used for quick repairs. As far as strength goes, A "timesert" thread repair is top notch for aluminum. They are a thin wall design,with a shoulder on top for a good positive stop to ensure the thread repair will lock in and not follow on through the repaired hole into something it shouldn't. Keensert repairs are good too,but the 4 little tangs you drive in often damage the threads should you ever have to replace the insert. Just my .02 ---RED

Done properly , yes a helicoil is very strong in Aluminum but depends on what you need to repair as mentioned there are other options

Heli Coils the biggest problem is when you go to take the bolt out sometimes it backs the coil out and makes a bigger problem than you had in the first place, I have seen them come out with the bolt and then lock you in a place where you can't get the part off because it is at a certain angle, or the parts are connected to another.... I threw all the heli coils at work in the trash the left us in a bigger bind than we had to begin with....

Rabbit wrote:would a Heli-coil make a aluminum thread stronger??  just a thought

IF ... the aluminum is thick enough behind it; YES.

Anyone ever use these ?
http://fulltorque.com/index.htm

Lock and stitch is pretty cool. Their web site has a bunch of repair examples, I thought this was a pretty extreme repair that most people would think the block was junk http://www.locknstitch.com/Repair%20pdf%20files/Custom%20truck%20with%20cracked%205.9%20block.pdf

You'd be surprise how many helicoils go into NEW parts on airplanes...Just Sayin'...

timesert thread repair looks real promising

not to mention there EXPENSIVE