Re-tap vs. clean threads

[broncc]

Its best practice to chase any holes and bolts that don't snug up with fingers. Its so much nicer when you don't have to jam rusty bolts into gritty holes.

I use taps because I'm too cheap to buy the correct tools and accept the risk of increased thread clearance.

 

[Curious Hound]

I'm not sure I fully buy into the idea of a tap cutting new material away and making the threads sloppy. A tap is what cut those threads in the first place. So, I should just be cutting rust, dirt, grease and threadlocker out of the hole. I could be wrong and I'm not trying to argue. But it doesn't make sense to me unless you're careless and don't get the tap started right.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I'm not sure I fully buy into the idea of a tap cutting new material away and making the threads sloppy. A tap is what cut those threads in the first place. So, I should just be cutting rust, dirt, grease and threadlocker out of the hole. I could be wrong and I'm not trying to argue. But it doesn't make sense to me unless you're careless and don't get the tap started right.

This is my thought too. But I do know that there is different clearances specced for different jobs. I have some die that can be squeezed shut or opened up to make a bolt tight or loose in a hole. I'm sure there are taps that are made to do the same. The run of the mill tap and die set is probably going to be in the middle of some spec, so could potentially remove metal. I take that chance....