MTFCA Forum

Not my ad. On TBay now.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/295602792773

I'm predicting it will sell. Somewhere between the 600.00 to 850.00 range

I have an antique tool that does everything that tool does and can do it to more than 10 thread sizes and diameters. I wouldn’t sell it either but I feel it is a better tool overall for a nice handheld old tool.

I saw a post about that on another site, might have been Fordbarn (don't recall right now) late yesterday. I looked for it going to my saved list on eBay using "Ford Model T -fits" and did not find it. I had to change from Parts & Accessories to just eBay Motors to find it when I looked just now.

I remember now what tool was being talked about. (The other type)

It missing the rear clamp screw and nut. DISCOUNT!!!

My 2 cents, it doesn’t get any bids and maybe a private offer around $400 after the auction ends.

Mark, you are right. That thread chaser does chase the hub threads, not the axle threads. The tool I mentioned does the hubcap threads just like the Stevens tool but it can do much more than that in terms of diameters and thread counts/pitches. Very versatile old tool.

I did not notice the missing clamp screw. I'll adjust my price estimate to just 600.00.

I need one for my work, not ego. If anyone would sell me one for $400, I would be grateful. I still have to pay X 1.4 exchange on top.
Regards,
Ken

If you bought Glen Chaffing tool and this one, you could make a totally original one. Just rat the clamping screw off Glen's for this one, and onsell the bits left

Allan from down under.

Price lowered to $500 on eBay, I’m not affiliated with the item, simply updated this thread

https://www.ebay.com/itm/295602792773

Item ended with ZERO bids, if you’re interested in this item, you might make a private offer to the seller. There answer is always no if you don’t ask, good luck if you make an offer

I’m not the seller, and do not know who the seller is.

I made an offer of $400. He said he would lower the asking price. Then he said eBay would not allow a change so close to bid ending. I waited for an email to buy privately after closing. Then it was relisted immediately after closing. I still need one, but not for a price that is based simply on availability. I want one so that I can make many wheels available for the hobby, not for hanging next to the Moose horn rack in the beer club.

Ken,

Sorry it didn’t work out, at least you tried and understand the true value is in using it. I used Snap-on thread files to clean up threads on three cars prior to finding and buying the die I now own. Thread files work pretty good, not a fast as the fancy tools, but saves lots of $$$$.

Disclaimer: I have not personally handled or examined the Stevens T-181 tool listed on eBay.

Having said that, I have handled, examined and used a number of T-181 tools over the years. The condition of the thread chasers on these tools is critical to the usefulness of these tools. The chasers are subject to wear and if not in good condition, the tools are little more than wall hangers. The thread chasers can also get bunged up by mis use of the tool. I would be hesitant to bid on or outright purchase a T-181 if I could not clearly see the condition of the thread chasers on the tool.

By the way, did anyone else see the auction for the KR Wilson brake drum bushing reamer for use with the Wilson transmission bushing tool on eBay Sunday night? All the action took place in the last 10 seconds of the auction.

Respectfully Submitted,

Trent Boggess

TrentB wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 10, 2023 7:16 am

Disclaimer: I have not personally handled or examined the Stevens T-181 tool listed on eBay.

Having said that, I have handled, examined and used a number of T-181 tools over the years. The condition of the thread chasers on these tools is critical to the usefulness of these tools. The chasers are subject to wear and if not in good condition, the tools are little more than wall hangers. The thread chasers can also get bunged up by mis use of the tool. I would be hesitant to bid on or outright purchase a T-181 if I could not clearly see the condition of the thread chasers on the tool.

By the way, did anyone else see the auction for the KR Wilson brake drum bushing reamer for use with the Wilson transmission bushing tool on eBay Sunday night? All the action took place in the last 10 seconds of the auction.

Respectfully Submitted,

Trent Boggess

Trent,

Do these tools actually cut away the deformed portions of any threads, or do they re-shape a burred or rolled-over thread?

Thanks.

Jerry VanOoteghem wrote:

“Trent,

Do these tools actually cut away the deformed portions of any threads, or do they re-shape a burred or rolled-over thread?

Thanks.”

Jerry,

That’s an excellent question. Here is a close up of the inside of a Stevens T-181.
It appears from the design that the tool actually can recut an existing, not just reswage. If the threaded portion of a hub is badly mangled, this tool will not help you much. If you are just trying to get a hub cap to go on easier and straight, it works great.

It also works on NRS hubs, but you have probably figured that out already.

Respectfully Submitted,

Trent Boggess

According to my tread gauge a T hub is 24 TPI a OTC 7402 thread chasing tool will do 24 TPI and is about $110 on AMAZON and a cheap copy
can be had for under $60 and will do 16 thread sizes. It by no means will look as good hanging on the wall in the garage.
Craig.

A single most important point about this tool is it is clamped around the back of the hubcap thread and winds OFF the hub in use. It starts on good thread and winds off onto the damaged thread, cleaning/reforming as it goes. I know of no other tool which does the same.

I do not lend my tool. I do volunteer to use it on any hubs brought to me for work.

Allan from down under.

Allan the OTC7402 mentioned above works the same way. It has a single removable and replaceable die style cutter. Opposite of the cutter is a V shaped guide that is the body of the tool. It is made of aluminumn. In use the adjustable cutter is adjusted large enough to place on the threads behind the damaged threads then the cutter is tightened in place and is guided by the v shaped aluminumn guide. You can tighten the die as tight as needed. Then unwind the tool off the threads restoring the damaged threads. The only real drawback to the OTC tool is the aluminumn v guide is rubbing/sliding on the threads opposite the cutter die. So the aluminumn v guide is wearing out as you use the tool. It is designed so the soft aluminumn does not damage the threads as you restore them. But it takes a lot of use to finally wear out the tool to be unusable. I have both the OTC tool and the Stevens tool. While the Stevens tool works a little better I used the OTC tool for years with good results. It also comes with several dies of different thread pitches that can be used on other things.

I have one that looks and works like new, I will have to check my thing on the back.

I am gratefully the new owner of this tool. I waited until it was in my hand before speaking. Thank you Mark for noticing it and letting us know about it.
I spoke with the seller and he told me he was cleaning out the attic of a deceased elder relative. The man had worked on cars only when he was young. This one looks like it was either not used, or very little.
Thank you Joe for your kind thoughts and, as always Trent, for your insight and willingness to help.
Jerry, this tool like all thread chasers, should not be used to cut through rust. Bead blast clean before using.
If anyone has a latch to sell or, can help me with closeup photos of the latch screw and threaded swivel, I will make one. Or I can forward it it to the seller so he can look further in the attic.
Ken

Ken, congratulations!

Glad it worked out for you, thanks for the update.

Well done Ken! Here are photos for you. The adjustable knurled nut at the end of the handles is there to maintain the same adjustment while the tool is in use. It does not need to be an exact copy to work, just as the adjustable stop bolt on Glen Chaffin's tool works just as well with a common bolt.
Hope this helps.
Allan from down under.

Thank you Allan. You are always very helpful. This sale/purchase attests to the fact that affordable prices can be established when it is for a need and not the last dollar. Four hundred is better than no hundred.
I have a knurling attachment so, off to the lathe. And to answer your salutation, this helps.
Ken

Mine is a bit different, thread is 8-32, 2.050 long.

Thank you Kim,
The nut looks like spark plug or coil box nuts. In which case, I may be well under way.
Ken

The back side of the nut on mine is radiused so that it sits nicely in the base of the curve in the handle. Kim's does look like a spark plug nut, a good substitute if needed.

Allan from down under.

This is the finished product. Thank you all for your encouragement and input.

Nicely don Ken.

Allan from down under.