Q.Can TIME-SERTs be installed in blind holes?

A.Yes TIME-SERTs can be installed in blind holes.

A basic dimension we give is .200 deeper hole, than the insert itself. This gives enough room for the insert driver to pass though and expand the last few threads of the insert into the base material.

Example. The blind hole depth for a 5/16-18x.450 should be a minimum of .650 deep. Insert length .450+.200=.650

Another thing to keep in mind when repairing a blind hole application is that you "do not" want to bottom out the driver tool on installation. If the driver tool bottoms out there is a possibility it can break. There is a simple method to safeguard against breaking the tool in a bottom hole application as follows.

Before installing the insert, place the driver tool into the hole and mark the tool at the point it can't enter any further. Use a ink marker or even use a small strip of electrical tape around the driver. This way we know exactly how deep the hole is and there is no danger of bottoming the tool out.

Q.What materials are TIME-SERTs made of?

A.TIME-SERT inserts are made from 12L14 carbon steel and 303 stainless steel.

Q.When should stainless steel inserts be used?

A.We recommend the standard carbon steel inserts for most applications. Stainless steel is recommended for the medical or food industry, and water applications. Stainless steel may cause galling in heated applications.

Q.Can TIME-SERTs be removed easily?

A.TIME-SERTs can be removed with a spiral point screw extractor, or drilled out with the drill that came in the repair kit.

Q.Can TIME-SERTs be reinstalled?

A.Yes, if the threads in the base material are not damaged a new TIME-SERT can be re-inserted into that hole. This is a common practice on CNC pallet changers. When an insert starts to show wear over time, the insert can be removed with a screw extractor then replaced with a new one.

Q.What types of plating are used on TIME-SERT inserts?

A.The standard TIME-SERTs carbon steel inserts are plated with zinc phosphate. Sparkplug washer seat inserts are plated with copper plating and sparkplug taper seat are silver plated.

Q. What are the torque and pull out specifications for the TIME-SERT?

A.TIME-SERT makes no claims on torque specs or pullout. The reason being there are many factors that can determine the end result of the insert thread strength. One being the installation process.

1)Was the insert actually installed correctly and square to the hole? This would have a huge effect on the outcome of the torque specification. Along with what type of material being inserted, plastics will not have the same torque values as aluminum's, steels, or cast irons. Another thing to keep in mind is the length of the insert. Inserts must match the length of the bolt threading into the hole. Too short of an insert length could result in thread failure.

TIME-SERT will state that if the thread repair is done correctly and with the proper length of insert used for the application, the result should be a hole that will match the original torque specification of the hole.

Customers have found in their own testing data that TIME-SERT's have exceeded their expectations. Many of our larger customers will test TIME-SERT's before placing them in critical applications and find excellent results.

Q.Can Spark plug repair be done without removing the head from the motor?

A.Yes Spark plug repair can be done without removing the head by placing a heavy grease on the step tap flutes to catch the chips. TIP: mechanics have mentioned that using a shop vac with a plastic tube taped to the nozzle end works well for removing any stray chips left over.

Q.What is the correct insert for my SPARKPLUG application?

A.What type of spark plug do you have? Washer seat or Taper seat. Washer seat sparkplug's will have a washer to seal the spark plug against the head. Taper seat spark plugs will have a taper to seal against the head.

Measure from either the spark plug (Washer) or (taper) to the last thread. (Not to the end of the electrode). This will give you the correct length on insert. TIME-SERT inserts cannot be shortened for length. Please refer to our catalog or web site for length of inserts.

Q.Can TIME-SERT inserts be shortened for length?

A. No! you cannot cut off the bottom or top of the inserts for these reasons. The top has a flange which give the insert a place to sit for positive placement. The bottom of the insert is the locking portion.

Q.Do TIME-SERT inserts use special taps?

A.Yes, TIME-SERT inserts use S.T.I taps which are considered special.S.T.I stands for "Screw Thread Insert" an example would be a TIME-SERT M8x1.25 repair kit would require a M8x1.25 S.T.I tap, this is "larger" than a standard M8x1.25.

S.T.I Basic P.D. = Nominal Thread O.D (Basic Major Dia.) - Basic P.D. + Basic Major Dia.

Example for a "1/2-20" S.T.I tap:

S.T.I "1/2-20" P.D =.500 Dia. - .4675 P.D + .500 = .5325 S.T.I Basic P.D

We use all S.T.I to an H3 limit.

Our taps are made from M2 high speed tool steel.

Q.The hole being repaired is shorter, than the length of your shortest insert?

A.One possible solution. The hole being repaired has a depth shorter than the length of our shortest insert. There are a few cases where we do not have a short enough insert for a particular application. For example: trying to repair a hole 5/16-18 our shortest length insert is .450 inches and the hole depth is .350 inches deep. You can install a TIME-SERT without using a counterbore. Leaving the shoulder sticking up to remove later on by milling or filing.

One possible suggestion on this type of installation.

1) Drill hole 2) Tap hole 3) let insert set up with locktite.4) install insert.5) file insert flush.

Drill the hole out, "DO NOT" use counterbore tool, tap the hole.

On installation: Screw the insert in the hole with loctite to the desired location. Let the insert set up with the loctite before running the insert driver tool through the insert. The loctite will prevent the insert from going to deep into the prepared hole.

Use the driver tool to expand the last few threads of the inserts.

The insert will now be protruding or sticking up higher in the hole, you will have to "file down" or mill the top of the insert to get the insert flush with the surface. It's recommended to run the insert driver back through the insert to clean any burs at the top of the insert. The repair is complete.