Counting and fixing external threads

For quick shop work, the thread files are the best tool when it comes to counting 
or repairing external threads

by KEITH BERGLIND

Thread files are a handy dual-purpose tool around any repair job. They come in imperial and metric thread and are not very expensive. I keep one of each in each of my workshops. The most common tool source is the K-D tool display you see in many hardware and auto parts stores.