Essential Tool For Any Mechanic! Save Time & Money!

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I have been a mechanic for 30+ years and I was fortunate to begin my career working along side mechanics with decades of experience. As such, I have always used vacuum or fuel hose to start plugs and have never came close to cross-threading a plug.

The ONLY rule of thumb when installing a spark plug is to turn it in by hand first or at least just use the socket with your extension, if it doesn't go in with just your fingers, you're doing it wrong. However, this tool is awesome to see.

One thing the USAF taught me in a year of technical school working on expensive aircraft parts was put the bolt into position, turn counterclockwise until you feel the item 'snap' into place when the threads are aligned, start threading by hand and then tighten. Too many people just try to thread something into place and easily crossthreading. I have never seen this tool. There's a rule I like to follow - Design your repairs and projects around the tools you want to buy. I need one of these! Real bad.

Sixty years of working on small engines and I’ve never seen this ingenious tool. Thanks so much for sharing!

I’ve been an Aviation Technician for over 30 years, service my own cars regularly, and never have I once ever cross threaded anything. I don’t understand how people do this. Start the fastener by hand and if it feels like is binding, then back it off, check the thread and start again. Don’t just grab a ratchet and “make” it fit!

To avoid stripping try this trick. Push down on the plug bolt or nut and turn it backwards. You should feel a click as the start of the threads pass each other. Now you're aligned to start going forward. If it's too greasy to feel the click clean it with WD or carb cleaner. Of course always start things by hand as wrenches and pneumatic tools will not give you any feel and the damage will be done.

These work perfectly. About 20 years ago, I cross threaded one of the plug entries on my TVR, in the worst possible location, where it was really hard to access. Was really looking at removing the head with all that entails. On one of the TVR sites, I explained the situation, and an extremely kind chap from around Bristol way, if memory serves, offered to send me one of these FOC. This he did, and with much trepidation I put it to work. BINGO!!!! Perfect result first time. On return of the tool I gave him the price of a few beers, as the time and effort it saved were immense. Because normally the damaged thread is near or at the top, this device goes beyond that and out the other side. When you expand the tap it is normally coming up to a clean thread and basically taps the hole backwards, encountering the damaged thread well into the tap's travel. Excellent tool, which i never knew existed until that kind person offered me it.

A few years ago I bought a used Jeep. Changed the plugs and found a stripped thread. Bought this tool. Worked great! A little hard to find, but well worth it

Just another reason why a rubber hose as a spark plug starter work! Great video Tom. That older green engine you had running looks like a great restoration

I'll probably never need it but I want it, just in case. Remember. He who dies with the most tools wins.

it's very rare do you see a video title like this that isn't just scamming you into clicking the video. thanks for the info

Yes, this is a must have tool. I got careless changing plugs on a six cylinder outboard marine engine cross threading the new plug and damaging the threaded hole quite badly. This tool saved me. Great little invention.

I bought one a few years ago to use on my Colorado. Worked like a charm.

Great idea! I learned long ago not to get myself in those situations, but there will always be repairs on other people's stuff. I have standard & metric taps/dies & many thread files, thread pitch gauges, rethreaders for clean-up & a lathe & mill. I've even made a few taps myself. And have many threaded inserts, heli-coils etc. Being proficient at properly installing a heli-coil could be entire video as theres only one correct way , and when done properly it will last firever.This expandable design never occurred to me as I always got the job done. But I like knowing it exists. Thank you

Good job showing how that thread chaser works.

I can see that being useful for MULTIPLE applications. I will be looking into it.

Nice too! Thank you Tom for teaching us about it. Necessity is a Mother.

I've always used a straight, short piece of hose for starting spark plugs. You need a diameter which will fit over the porcelain just snuggly enough to hold it. The hose won't allow the amount of torque required to damage the threads, so if you're threads aren't aligned properly, it will slip. Once you get a few turns, you can safely switch to a spark plug socket.

WOW! I'm not doing alot of work for people these days being almost retired. I have never broken off a sparkplug nor have I crossthreaded one but I WANT ONE OF THESE TOOLS. WHAT A FANTASTIC MIND THAT THOUGHT THIS OUT! Thank you VER.