Best Helical Threaded Inserts of 2026
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Helical threaded inserts are small, cylindrical metal components that are used to strengthen and repair threaded holes. They are commonly used in industries such as automotive, aerospace, and electronics, where the integrity of threaded connections is critical. These inserts provide a durable and reliable solution for reinforcing weakened or damaged threads, allowing for a stronger and longer-lasting connection. With their helical design, they are easy to install and provide excellent resistance to vibration and torque. Helical threaded inserts come in a variety of sizes and materials to suit different applications, making them a versatile choice for any threaded hole repair or reinforcement needs.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Helical Threaded Inserts
HARFINGTON M10 x 1.5 304 Stainless Steel Thread Inserts
The HARFINGTON Threaded Inserts come in a size of M10 x 1.5 with a 30mm effective length, making them ideal for securing threads in various materials. Made from durable 304 stainless steel, these inserts resist rust and corrosion, ensuring long-lasting performance. Their elastic design evenly distributes pressure, giving you reliable strength and preventing deformation. Plus, they tap into base materials without needing pre-tapped holes, saving you time and effort during installation. These inserts work well with metals like aluminum and magnesium, as well as non-metals such as plastic and wood, enhancing thread durability and preventing loosening.
E-Z LOK EK30820 Stainless Steel Thread Repair Kit
The E-Z LOK Thread Repair Kit is designed to help you quickly fix damaged threads or strengthen holes in soft metals like aluminum and cast iron. It includes stainless steel inserts made from durable 18-8 steel, which resist rust and handle high temperatures up to 800°F, so you get long-lasting repairs. This kit is perfect if you work with soft metals and need reliable thread repairs. Plus, it comes with everything you need: coil inserts, a special tap, and an installation tool, making the repair process straightforward and convenient for you.
E-Z LOK SK20715 Stainless Steel Thread Repair Kit
The E-Z LOK Thread Repair Kit is a handy solution for fixing damaged threads or strengthening soft metal holes. If you work with materials like aluminum or cast iron, this kit helps restore threads quickly and easily. The stainless steel inserts resist rust and can handle high temperatures up to 800°F, making them durable for tough conditions. Plus, the kit comes with everything you need: coil inserts, a drill, a tap, an installation tool, and tang break tools, so you have all the parts to complete your repair without extra trips to the store.
E-Z Lok SK21010 Helical Threaded Insert Kit
The E-Z Lok Threaded Insert Kit is a convenient solution for quickly repairing damaged threads or reinforcing tapped holes in soft metals. It includes stainless steel threaded inserts that are resistant to corrosion and can withstand high temperatures. This kit is specifically designed for use with soft metals such as aluminum, cast iron, and magnesium. With the included drill, STI tap, threaded insert installation tool, and tang break tools, you have everything you need to easily complete the repair or reinforcement. Whether you need to repair threads or reinforce tapped holes, this kit provides a reliable and durable solution that can withstand even high temperatures.
E-Z Lok EK31120 Stainless Steel Threaded Insert Kit
The E-Z Lok Threaded Insert Kit is a handy solution for fixing damaged threads or strengthening holes in soft metals like aluminum or magnesium. You can quickly restore worn threads, saving time and avoiding costly replacements. Made from durable 18-8 stainless steel, the inserts resist rust and handle high temperatures up to 800°F, ensuring long-lasting repairs. The kit includes everything you need: coil inserts, a tap, and an installation tool, making the process straightforward and convenient for both professionals and DIY users. This kit is perfect for anyone looking to maintain or improve metal parts efficiently.
E-Z Lok SK20610 Thread Repair Kit
The E-Z Lok Thread Repair Kit is your go-to solution for quickly fixing damaged threads or reinforcing tapped holes in soft metals. This kit features stainless steel inserts that resist corrosion and can handle high temperatures up to 800°F, making it ideal for various applications. Whether you’re working with aluminum, cast iron, or magnesium, this kit ensures durability and reliability. With everything you need included—coiled inserts, a drill, STI tap, installation tool, and tang break tools—you can easily complete your repairs and get back to your projects with confidence.
E-Z Lok SK40210 Metric Helical Threaded Insert Kit
E-Z Lok Threaded Insert Kit is a convenient and effective solution for quickly repairing damaged threads or reinforcing tapped holes in soft metals. Made with stainless steel wire, these threaded inserts are resistant to corrosion and can withstand high temperatures up to 800°F. The kit is specifically designed for use with soft metals such as aluminum, cast iron, and magnesium. It includes coil threaded inserts for metal, a drill, an STI tap, a threaded insert installation tool, and tang break tools. With this kit, you can easily repair damaged threads without having to replace the entire part, saving you time and money. The stainless steel construction ensures durability and longevity, making it a reliable choice for various applications.
E-Z LOK SK30920 Stainless Steel Thread Repair Kit
The E-Z LOK Thread Repair Kit is a handy solution for fixing damaged threads or strengthening holes in soft metals like aluminum and cast iron. With this kit, you can quickly restore worn threads, saving time and effort. It includes stainless steel inserts that resist rust and handle high heat up to 800°F, making them durable for tough conditions. The kit is designed especially for soft metals, ensuring a secure fit and long-lasting repair. Plus, it comes with all the necessary tools, so you have everything you need for an easy and complete thread repair job.
E-Z Lok EK30610 Thread Repair Kit
The E-Z Lok Thread Repair Kit is designed to help you quickly fix damaged threads or strengthen tapped holes in soft metals. With 18-8 stainless steel inserts, this kit ensures durability and resistance to corrosion, making it suitable for high-temperature applications up to 800°F. The inserts work well with soft metals like aluminum and magnesium, so you can tackle a variety of repair jobs. Additionally, the kit comes complete with coil inserts, an STI tap, and an installation tool, giving you everything you need for a smooth repair process.
E-Z LOK EZ-650-10 M10-1.5 Threaded Inserts Kit
The E-Z LOK Threaded Inserts are designed to quickly fix stripped or damaged tapped holes in metal parts, saving you time and effort during repairs. They work especially well with softer metals like aluminum, cast iron, and magnesium, ensuring a reliable hold where you need it most. These inserts feature a self-locking design with a special adhesive on the threads that activates as you install them, preventing loosening over time. Made from solid steel with a black oxide finish, they provide strong, durable support for your threaded connections, giving you confidence in your repairs and installations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the difference between helical insert and threaded insert?
The main difference between a helical insert and a threaded insert is in their construction. Helical inserts, such as Heli-Coil inserts, are made of wound wire and have less pull-out and torque-out strength compared to solid metal threaded inserts like Helisolid®. Helical inserts may be more prone to cross-threading, while accidental cross-threading is nearly impossible with Helisolid® threaded inserts.
2. What are helical inserts used for?
Helical inserts, also known as screw thread inserts (STI) or helicoil inserts, are coiled wire inserts used to repair stripped threading and reinforce bolted connections. These inserts are wider than the tapped hole and provide increased strength and durability to the threaded assembly.
3. What is the difference between an insert and a Heli-Coil?
The main difference between an insert and a Heli-Coil is their size and installation process. Inserts are larger and require a large external thread for installation, while Heli-Coil inserts have a slim profile. Additionally, the removal process for inserts involves drilling out material, bending the key insert, and using a screw extractor, while Heli-Coil inserts have a simpler removal process.
4. Should I use Loctite in a Heli-Coil?
Yes, it is recommended to use Loctite in a Heli-Coil installation. Specifically, LOCTITE® 262™ is a high-strength threadlocker that can be used with Heli-Coil inserts. It provides added security and helps prevent loosening or thread failure.
5. What is the strongest thread insert?
The helically coiled wire thread insert is considered the strongest and most durable threaded assembly available. It provides excellent strength and durability for various applications, making it a preferred choice for engineers.
6. What are the disadvantages of threaded inserts?
There are a few downsides to using threaded inserts. First, they tend to have a higher cost compared to standard drilling and tapping methods. The price of threaded inserts, combined with additional installation charges, can add up quickly. Additionally, threaded inserts may not be suitable for all applications and may require specialized tools or expertise for installation.
7. What is the advantage of using a Heli-Coil?
Using a Heli-Coil, such as HELICOIL® thread inserts, offers several advantages. They are particularly beneficial when working with low shear strength materials like aluminum or aluminum-magnesium alloys. Heli-Coil inserts provide heat-resistant, wear-resistant, and high-strength threads of the highest precision. They also minimize internal thread wear, even with frequent use.
8. How deep should a HeliCoil go?
For proper installation, a HeliCoil insert should be inserted to a depth of 1/4 to 1/2 turn below the top of the original hole. This ensures secure and effective thread reinforcement. It's recommended to consult with experts or refer to specific guidelines for accurate installation depth.
During our helical threaded insert research, we found 24 helical threaded insert products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 13,056 customer reviews through our big data system to write the helical threaded inserts list. We found that most customers choose helical threaded inserts with an average price of $28.00.
The helical threaded inserts are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of helical threaded inserts, including HARFINGTON, E-Z LOK. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 2,388 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.
Brian Howie is a content writer and senior industrial designer. After graduation from Westminster College, he has been engaged in product design and manufacturing for 18 years. Brian Howie has always found great pleasure in designing industrial products and sharing his ideas and experience online.