Helicoil? thread repair help please.

[Pneumagger]

I stripped out a screw on a gun today while playing. The thread was a 8-32 i think and stripped out of an anodized aluminum body.

How should I repair this? Should I use helicoil? How do they work and what do I need to replace a 8-32 thread using them? Difficulty rating?


Is there a better option than helicoils? I might have enough room to just drill/retap for 10-32 - although I'd like to stick with the same size 8-32 shc screw.

[Loguzzzzzz]

I don't think they make an 8-32 helicoil kit.

I have a 10-32 helicoil kit and that was the smallest one I could find. If you do find one, the are just like tapping a regular thread, then they have an installtion tool you use to screw in the new thread. It is almost looks like a spring. It was really easy to do.

I bought some ULE Emag lowers and when they came one of the 10-32 threads on the bottom of the grip was stripped. This is why I bought the helicoil kit.

Try a google search.

Good luck finding one that small though.

[Loguzzzzzz]

I stand corrected.

Look HERE

[Pneumagger]

http://www.newmantools.com/recinch.htm

also, will the fixed steel helicoil thread be as strong as the original threading in aluminum. Especially since the helicoil is now engaging raw aluminum?

[Loguzzzzzz]

That is similar to mine, I got it from W.W.Grainger catalog.

[Pneumagger]

for reference, the part that broke was was on my phantom, the stock class feed was ripped off the body and the screw that held the feed on stripped out the hole. The hole is only like in 1/8" of aluminum body... is it too thin to helicoil?

Is helicoil my best option? I'd rather have the best option - not the easiest/cheapest.

a A phantom SC feed is connected by one 8-32 screw towards the front.

[Loguzzzzzz]

I don't think 1/8" is enough material to helicoli. I would tap it 10-32 if it were me.

Just my $0.02

[ta2maki]

Brand new phantoms have an insert in the body where the feed(on top)and the frame(on bottom) screw into. Seems your problem happens quite often. The insert appears to be steel or stainless steel.

I would contact cci to see if you could purchase said inserts. Tap, glue, and screw and you'll be set.

[Pneumagger]

Brand new phantoms have an insert in the body where the feed(on top)and the frame(on bottom) screw into. Seems your problem happens quite often. The insert appears to be steel or stainless steel.

I would contact cci to see if you could purchase said inserts. Tap, glue, and screw and you'll be set.

My phantom is a Duckslide... the feed is tapped rigt into the aluminum slide.

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g45/jrm33/The%20Arsenal/IMG_1563.jpg

I mailed it off to get repaired today anyways. $10 to get it done is worth it.

[Spider-TW]

http://www.newmantools.com/recinch.htm

also, will the fixed steel helicoil thread be as strong as the original threading in aluminum. Especially since the helicoil is now engaging raw aluminum?

The heli-coil came out of the aircraft industry, to fix the problem of weak aluminum threads. Instead of fixing threads though, heli-coils were often used as original parts like inserts in wood. If you think about it, the steel insert engages a larger diameter than the original screw and gets more surface area after it gets a bite.

Uh, the heli-coil will be stronger than the original.

[craltal]

My phantom is a Duckslide... the feed is tapped rigt into the aluminum slide.

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g45/jrm33/The%20Arsenal/IMG_1563.jpg

I mailed it off to get repaired today anyways. $10 to get it done is worth it.

You broke your duck slide ALREADY!?!?!

j/k

[Pneumagger]

You broke your duck slide ALREADY!?!?!

j/k

It's just a strippe out screw.
My guess is that the screw could have engaged the threads a bit more. I take no responsibility for this

[craltal]

It's just a strippe out screw.
My guess is that the screw could have engaged the threads a bit more. I take no responsibility for this

probably. I know I hate little screws, small button head ones are the bane of my existence at work...

[ta2maki]

My phantom is a Duckslide... the feed is tapped rigt into the aluminum slide.

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g45/jrm33/The%20Arsenal/IMG_1563.jpg

I mailed it off to get repaired today anyways. $10 to get it done is worth it.

GAH

You stripped it already? Is that part that weak? I just got my duckslide yesterday and noticed the inserts in the body when I took it apart.

[Spider-TW]

I stand corrected.

Look HERE

Just fyi, these guys are selling the inserts only. I was looking to see if they had the 8-32 kit. The 10-32 kit has the insert tool and a special tap that you re-tap the old hole with to a larger diameter. The heli-coil is spring steel, takes up the extra space giving you your original thread size back and is plenty strong.

There must be an 8-32 tool somewhere, but 10-32 was the smallest I have seen. The kits are about $30 and I picked one up at the auto parts store.

Just in case someone decides to use one.