Durafix

[Dan Smithers]

Hi,

I want to repair a thread in an aluminium lid. I think that it is 3/16 BSF.

I have been looking on the net for ways of doing this and thinking that approx £20 for a helicoil kit was a bit much for a one off job,

I came across Durafix and a demonstration on youtube showing how to restore threads with it.

Has anybody used it?

Is it any good?

thanks

[Dave Plowman (News)]

I've often thought hiring out such kits against a deposit could be quite useful. But I don't know anyone who does this.

Dunno.

You could get it argon arc welded if you have a local place which does such things - if you left it for them to fit in with other work.

[Andy Dingley]

BSF? Try uk.rec.engines.stationary

If it were metric, I'd have suggested a back-street garage or engineering machine shop. Most people who have a Helicoil set are happy to do one-offs for a few quid.

I'm not familiar with Durafix, but assuming it's a steel-loaded epoxy like JB Weld, it ought to do OK.

For most purposes, any filled epoxy will do this. UK.D-I-Yers ought to keep some decent low-viscosity epoxy around (West System do a handy pack) and mix it up with suitable fillers as needed. On-demand filled epoxies are _much_ more use (and cheaper) than raw resins, or pre- thickened tubes. Almost any powdery filler will do for rebuilding threads for attachment purposes, it's a bit harder if you care about release afterwards, high temperatures or working life in a moving part.

[Dave]

Could you not use a mould release agent on the fastener's threads, so as to get the fastener out after curing? Or does the adhesive expand when it cures?

Dave