How To Restore Bolt Threads

Often, when working on a project, it’s easier to replace a bolt or stud rather than restore it. However, sometimes you come across a hard-to-find bolt, or you don’t have time to run out and find a replacement, so restoring threads is easier.

Whether your bolt is cross-threaded or has threads that are flat, there’s a fix. The first tool you could use is a thread file, or thread restoring file. This tool actually has 8 different sizes of thread pitch on it, everything from 11 up to 24. Taking the flat threads and running them over the file will get rid of them.

If you have a cross-threaded bolt a die from a tap and die set installed in a t-handle will do the trick. Simply tighten the die in the tool and run your bolt through it…