thinktubes 

I have a pair of 600 cranks and i need o have the threads cleaned up. No major damage, but I can't thread the pedal more than a few turns before hitting a snag. What do you guys usually pay to have this done?

Pars 

I think the one LBS that I will use charged me $10 for a single crank arm for that, but I think they are kinda high. Needed it done, so paid them. I'm sure there are guys on here that have good relationships with their LBS that would not even be charged for this.

thinktubes 

I can get the Park ones shipped for $40. Thinking about just getting the set. Seems like it would be handy to have. LBS told me they're backed up and short- handed and it would be a week before the could get to it. Once again I'm reminded why I learned to wrench...

kinkicycle.com

If the threads just need a light clean up you can run the pedal through from the other side of the crank arm. Often works fine for mildly damaged threads. If that does not work, I think we used to charge around 10GBP for such a job. Your LBS sounds a little bit, erm, well, lazy if you ask me, a five minute job that would be cash in the till.

thinktubes 

Yeah, i tried running the pedals through from the other direction- no dice. Usually underwhelmed by the local shops. I was definitely getting the vibe that they didn't want to bother.

auchencrow

If they are like some modern LBS's, their reluctance may stem from not knowing how to do it, and/or not having the tools.

rando_couche

If you're on a first-name basis with your LBS wrench staff, a six-pack of their favorite micro ought to cover it.

SP
OC, OR

1987

Park Tool Item # TAP-6 - Pedal Tap- 9/16" x 20 tpi:
https://www.parktool.com/product/peda...x-20-tpi-tap-6

~ 45 USD on eBay
https://www.ebay.com/bhp/9-16-pedal-tap

thinktubes 

Just bought the tap set - worthwhile investment.

wrk101

Good reminder, I need to buy one of those sets myself.

Grand Bois

They're nice to have, but I think the T handle cost me almost as much as the taps.

wrk101

Hopefully, my regular tap and die t handle will work

kaliayev

Sounds a lot like the closest LBS to me, especially in the summer. That is why I stopped going there and now only go to a LBS that is in a small village I used to live in that is about a 15 minute drive. I recently had a similar problem with a bottom bracket. Walked in with the frame and coffee for the guys and was on my way in a half hour with no charge. I do most of my own wrenching, but for stuff that I rarely see and can't justify the expense of tools these guys are invaluable. Of course over the years I have steered a bunch of business to my fav LBS.

oddjob2

Handle is about $17

https://www.niagaracycle.com/categori...h-2-tap-handle

1987

But if you need a French pedal tap (14 mm x 1.25 mm). Then it gets a lot trickier, especially the left side.

thinktubes 

According to park, they're compatible with conventional tap handles:

ColonelJLloyd 

Highly doubtful; modern or not the mechanic(s) surely have the taps and know how to use them. It's the end of July so, yeah, I would hope the LBS would be swamped. This is peak season.

Grand Bois

That's not a T handle, but it will work. So will a Crescent wrench if you're careful to get the tap started straight.

Lascauxcaveman 

I almost bought the pedal tap set ($45) myself, but decided to take the bike to my LBS instead. I caught them at a good time, the job took 5 minutes and no charge. I buy tubes and tire levers and little stuff from them, but never anything substantial.

Bikedued

Some guy at an LBS wanted to charge me $15 for a clean up on some powdercoated RD mount threads. I took my business elsewhere. The threads were not damaged, just had a little powder in them. I feel they might have been damaged had I let him do it, just from his whole "no give a s**t" attitude about the whole thing. You can replace crank arms, but it's a little more difficult to replace a dropout on a steel frame with a fresh $125 powdercoat.,,,,BD

wrk101

Have you noticed Park Tool is now selling a model "6C", and the guy on ebay is selling a "6". Wonder what changes if any were made? Edit: the 6C may just mean the product is on a hang card...

Myself, Jensen sells at the same price, I'd probably just fill up an order with Jensen to meet the $50 free shipping criteria, and get it there. Jensen also price matches with about everybody: Nashbar on sale, Niagara, or whatever. When I need less than $100 worth of stuff (Niagara's free shipping), that's usually my approach.

DoninIN

https://www.mscdirect.com/FlyerView?p...alogs/big-book

MSC has those size taps for $5, it's just a 9/16-20 thread, one right, one left hand. (For normal applications you want what's called "Plug type, GH3" especially for thread repairs. A set of thread files would be worth your while as well, and should run you about $20. Ideally you should work in a machine shop, and have access to the full kit of machinists tools and machines. That can be really handy sometimes.

thinktubes 

Got the Park taps and they worked like a charm!!!! Both pedals now thread in like butter. Ended up being a 10 minute job.

sykerocker 

Still, that's a five minute or less while-you-wait job - I'm going to assume that the owner or department manager (depending on the size of the shop) wasn't in earshot when the mechanic gave that answer. There's ALWAYS time to squeeze one of those jobs in if you're talking a well-run profitable business. Yeah, the mechanic won't be happy (actually, this is the kind of situation to quickly find out a bit about the quality and dedication of your employees), but profit is profit and a happy customer is a happy customer.

rootboy 

I've got a couple of those big, adjustable tap handles, you know, the good old ones...if anyone needs one. Cheap.