{"title":"Thread Repair \u0026 Facing Tools","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"handle-for-pedal-taps","title":"Handle for Pedal Taps - 1695\/4BI","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Handle for Pedal Taps is the bar that turns a thread-chase or thread-cut operation from a hand-pressure job into a controlled leverage job. The crank arm is aluminum, the pedal thread is 9\/16\" × 20 TPI, and the alignment on the first turn determines whether the tap cuts cleanly or cross-threads. The right handle holds the tap square; a wrench-on-shank substitute holds it whatever-way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 1695\/4BI handle has a square-drive socket in its center hub that grips the square shank of the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pedal-taps-916-x-20-tpi\"\u003epedal tap set\u003c\/a\u003e, the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pedal-taps-58x24-left\"\u003eleft reaming tap\u003c\/a\u003e, or the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pedal-taps-58x24-right\"\u003eright reaming tap\u003c\/a\u003e. The positive square engagement keeps the tap seated in the handle without slipping. A handle that grips the shank poorly would let the tap drift; the drift compounds into off-axis thread cutting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat the handle actually changes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo things. First, leverage. The handle is long enough to apply controlled torque without lunging at it; important because the first turn of a thread cut requires fine torque control, and a short or slippery handle costs you that control. Second, alignment. The square-drive grip holds the tap in line with the handle, helping keep it perpendicular to the work face throughout the cut. A handle that lets the tap pivot in the grip cuts the thread at a slight angle, which a pedal will thread into but not bottom out against.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis handle is specific to the pedal-thread tools; Unior's \u003ca href=\"\/products\/frame-taps-1695\"\u003eM3 frame taps\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/frame-taps-m5\"\u003eM5 frame taps\u003c\/a\u003e, and the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/set-of-adapters-and-taps-bsa\"\u003eBSA bottom-bracket tap set\u003c\/a\u003e are separate tools outside its listed compatibility — if you're prepping bottom-bracket threads, the modular frame-prep system has its own handle, the 1695.1\/4BI.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it fits in the Crank Saver workflow\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 1695\/4BI handle ships separately, but it's one of the four components of the Crank Saver Kit (the others being the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pedal-taps-58x24-left\"\u003eleft reaming tap\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pedal-taps-58x24-right\"\u003eright reaming tap\u003c\/a\u003e, and pedal-thread inserts). For a shop that already has the taps and inserts, the handle is the part to add. For a shop starting from zero, the complete Crank Saver Kit is the single-purchase path into the full pedal-thread-rescue workflow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecs\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSquare-drive engagement for square-shank taps · weight 515 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOfficially listed for: pedal tap set 1695.1 · reamer\/tap set 1695.2 · pedal reaming taps 1695.1AL and 1695.1AR\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eArticle number: 1695\/4BI\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBuilt in Zreče, Slovenia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnior has been forging hand tools in Zreče since 1919, and sponsors professional road and mountain-bike race teams. The 1695\/4BI is part of Unior's broader machinist hand-tool catalog, which includes thread-tap handles across pitch ranges that go well beyond bicycle thread sizes. The bicycle subset is the same construction at the size that the workshop actually needs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePro tip from our mechanics\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe handle's positive square grip is what makes the alignment feel obvious as you start the cut. A loose handle on a small-pitch tap feels deceptively similar to a square one; you only learn the difference after the first cross-thread. Our \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/tech-tips\/workshop-hand-tools-every-bike-shop-needs\"\u003eworkshop hand tools guide\u003c\/a\u003e covers the pedal-thread-rescue workflow and the rest of the workshop tool layer: \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/tech-tips\/workshop-hand-tools-every-bike-shop-needs\"\u003eWorkshop hand tools every bike shop needs →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich Unior taps does the 1695\/4BI handle drive?\u003c\/strong\u003e Unior lists it for the pedal-thread tools: the 9\/16\" x 20 pedal tap set 1695.1, the left\/right reamer and tap set 1695.2, and the left and right pedal reaming taps 1695.1AL and 1695.1AR used in the Crank Saver workflow. The M3\/M5 frame taps and the BSA bottom-bracket tap set are not on its compatibility list.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this handle included in the Crank Saver Kit?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes. The Crank Saver Kit (1695MB1-US) packs this handle together with the left and right pedal reaming taps and both left- and right-side thread insert packs in a metal box, so if you own the kit you already have the 1695\/4BI. Buying it on its own suits shops that already own the taps.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does the handle hold a tap?\u003c\/strong\u003e The center hub has a square-drive socket that engages the square shank on the tap. The square fit stops the tap rotating loose in the handle and keeps it seated while you feed it into the thread, so the cut stays on axis.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow much does the 1695\/4BI weigh?\u003c\/strong\u003e 515 g on Unior's datasheet, which publishes no other dimensions for it. The double-ended design gives you a long lever on each side of the tap, and that symmetry is what lets you feed torque in evenly from both hands.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Unior","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":34378799546412,"sku":"624963","price":29.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0012\/5786\/5260\/products\/1695_4bi-us.jpg?v=1648784781"},{"product_id":"pedal-taps-916-x-20-tpi","title":"Pedal Tap Set - 1695.1","description":"\u003cp\u003eMost pedal-thread problems aren't strip damage. They're paint overspray after a crank refinish, a fine layer of corrosion after winter storage, or a thread that picked up a small burr from rough handling. The thread looks intact and mostly works, but the pedal threads in gritty or stops short of bottoming out. The Pedal Tap Set 1695.1 chases the thread and clears the obstruction without cutting new metal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 1695.1 is a thread-chase tap set, one for each side (left-hand and right-hand). The cutting edges follow the existing 9\/16\" × 20 TPI thread pitch and major diameter and remove paint, corrosion, or burred material; they don't cut new threads. If the existing thread is intact, the chase restores the clean feel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhen to chase, when to ream\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChase if:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe existing thread is intact (you can see the thread profile, the bolt threads in even if reluctantly)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe damage is paint, corrosion, light burrs, or accumulated dirt\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe pedal threaded in correctly on first install but now stops short or feels gritty\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReam (with the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pedal-taps-58x24-left\"\u003eleft\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pedal-taps-58x24-right\"\u003eright\u003c\/a\u003e reaming tap) if:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe thread is stripped (the bolt cuts new thread into the surrounding alloy)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe thread was cross-threaded at first install\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe thread is torn out at the entry, with the crack visible\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChasing a stripped thread won't fix it; there's no material left for the chase tap to clean. Reaming an intact thread cuts good metal away unnecessarily.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePair with the handle\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 1695.1 mates to our \u003ca href=\"\/products\/handle-for-pedal-taps\"\u003eHandle for Pedal Taps 1695\/4BI\u003c\/a\u003e via the standard square-shank interface. The handle's square-drive socket holds the tap perpendicular to the crank face during the chase, which keeps the cleaning action consistent across the full thread depth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat this is NOT\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Pedal Tap Set is a thread-chase tool. It is NOT a pedal install-aid (that's the Pedal Genie, a completely different product). It is NOT a thread-cutting tool for stripped threads (that's the reaming taps). Conflating these workflows is the most common shop error in pedal-thread service.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecs\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e9\/16\" × 20 TPI thread chase\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLeft-hand and right-hand versions in the set\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSquare-shank engagement, compatible with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/handle-for-pedal-taps\"\u003e1695\/4BI Handle for Pedal Taps\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eArticle number: 1695.1\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBuilt in Zreče, Slovenia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnior has been forging hand tools in Zreče since 1919, and sponsors professional road and mountain-bike race teams. The 1695 family is one of those workshop-tool sets that has its origin in Unior's machinist-tool catalog (general-purpose thread taps) and was specifically adapted to the cycling repair workflow. Pedal-thread service is the most common bicycle-thread rescue a working shop does, which is why the dedicated tap set earned its place in the catalog.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePro tip from our mechanics\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA pedal that goes in cleanly on the first turn rarely needs a chased thread. A pedal that resists or feels gritty does. Chasing the thread before forcing the pedal saves the crank arm; forcing the pedal through a partially obstructed thread is how a chase-able thread becomes a ream-able one. Our \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/tech-tips\/workshop-hand-tools-every-bike-shop-needs\"\u003eworkshop hand tools guide\u003c\/a\u003e walks through the full pedal-thread workflow: \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/tech-tips\/workshop-hand-tools-every-bike-shop-needs\"\u003eWorkshop hand tools every bike shop needs →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat do the 1695.1 pedal taps actually do?\u003c\/strong\u003e They chase — restore — the existing 9\/16\" × 20 TPI pedal threads in a crank arm. The hardened carbon-steel cutting edges follow the thread that is already there and clear paint overspray, corrosion, and small burrs; they do not cut a new thread.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill these taps fix a stripped pedal thread?\u003c\/strong\u003e No. A chase only works while the thread profile is still intact. If the thread is stripped or was cross-threaded at install, the repair is the oversize route: the 5\/8\" × 24 reaming taps (1695.1AL left, 1695.1AR right) cut a seat for a thread insert instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich tap goes in which crank arm?\u003c\/strong\u003e The shanks are stamped. 1695.1 R is the right-hand-thread tap for the drive-side crank; 1695.1 L is the left-hand (reverse) thread tap for the non-drive side. Both sides share the same 9\/16\" × 20 TPI size — only the thread direction differs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do I drive the taps — do I need the handle?\u003c\/strong\u003e Each tap ends in a square drive shank, and the official pairing is the Handle for Pedal Taps 1695\/4BI. Its square socket holds the tap perpendicular to the crank face during the chase, which keeps the cleaning action even across the full 60.5 mm tap.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Unior","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":34378799611948,"sku":"616080","price":69.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0012\/5786\/5260\/products\/1695.1.jpg?v=1642727382"},{"product_id":"pedal-taps-58x24-left","title":"Left Pedal Reaming Tap - 1695.1AL","description":"\u003cp\u003eWhen a left-hand pedal thread is past the point where chasing will recover it; stripped, partially cross-threaded, or torn out at the entry; the crank arm isn't done. The Left Pedal Reaming Tap 1695.1AL cuts the failed thread away, enlarges the hole, and cuts a new thread sized for the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pedal-thread-inserts-10-pieces-set-left-58x24\"\u003eLeft Pedal Thread Insert 1695.4A\u003c\/a\u003e. Insert installed, the crank takes any standard 9\/16\" pedal again.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \"left\" matters. Bicycle left-hand pedals use a reverse-threaded engagement (the left pedal threads counterclockwise to tighten). The reaming tap has to match that geometry, which is why the 1695.1AL is sized and threaded specifically for the left-hand pedal hole. The right-hand version is the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pedal-taps-58x24-right\"\u003e1695.1AR\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow the reaming process works\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reaming tap is two tools in one shank. The leading section is a reamer that cuts away the existing (damaged) thread profile and enlarges the hole to a precise oversize diameter. The trailing section is a thread tap that cuts a new thread pattern in the freshly enlarged hole, sized to accept the pedal thread insert.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMate the 1695.1AL to the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/handle-for-pedal-taps\"\u003eHandle for Pedal Taps 1695\/4BI\u003c\/a\u003e for the leverage to cut cleanly through aluminum. Hold the tap perpendicular to the crank face during the first turn; the rest of the cut follows the established line, but the first turn sets the geometry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter the new thread is cut, install the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pedal-thread-inserts-10-pieces-set-left-58x24\"\u003eLeft Pedal Thread Insert\u003c\/a\u003e with a strong thread locker. The insert's outer thread engages the freshly cut thread in the crank; the insert's inner thread is standard 9\/16\" × 20 TPI (left-handed) ready to accept any standard pedal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat this is NOT\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reaming tap is for stripped threads that need a new thread pattern cut. It is not the right tool for cleaning up existing threads; that's the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pedal-taps-916-x-20-tpi\"\u003ePedal Tap Set 1695.1\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecs\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLeft-hand reaming and thread-cutting tap\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCuts a left-hand 5\/8\" × 24 TPI oversize seat thread; the finished insert restores the standard 9\/16\" × 20 pedal thread\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSquare-shank engagement, compatible with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/handle-for-pedal-taps\"\u003e1695\/4BI Handle for Pedal Taps\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePair with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pedal-thread-inserts-10-pieces-set-left-58x24\"\u003eLeft Pedal Thread Insert 1695.4A\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eArticle number: 1695.1AL\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBuilt in Zreče, Slovenia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnior has been forging hand tools in Zreče since 1919, and sponsors professional road and mountain-bike race teams. The 1695 reaming-tap and thread-insert system was developed by Unior specifically for the cycling repair trade; most thread-rescue inserts on the market are general-machinery Heli-Coils that don't fit pedal-thread geometry. The 1695-series inserts are sized for the pedal thread, which makes the rescue cleaner and more durable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePro tip from our mechanics\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePedal-thread rescue is the kind of repair that wins customer loyalty. The customer expects to replace the crank; the shop that saves it instead is the one they remember. Our \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/tech-tips\/workshop-hand-tools-every-bike-shop-needs\"\u003eworkshop hand tools guide\u003c\/a\u003e walks through the complete pedal-thread workflow and the rest of the workshop tool layer: \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/tech-tips\/workshop-hand-tools-every-bike-shop-needs\"\u003eWorkshop hand tools every bike shop needs →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy is there a separate tap for the left crank arm?\u003c\/strong\u003e Left pedals sit on a reverse (left-hand) thread that tightens counterclockwise, so a tap's cutting geometry has to be handed. The 1695.1AL reams and cuts left-hand threads only; the drive-side arm takes the 1695.1AR. Neither tap can stand in for the other, and a shop rescuing both arms needs the pair.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich direction do I turn the 1695.1AL to cut?\u003c\/strong\u003e Counterclockwise, following the left-hand thread it cuts. Start with the reaming section square to the crank face; the angle of the first turn is the angle the finished thread follows. From there keep steady pressure, use cutting fluid on aluminum, and back the tap off a part-turn now and then to break chips.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat else do I need to complete a left pedal thread repair?\u003c\/strong\u003e Three things finish the job: the 1695\/4BI tap handle, which drives the tap's square shank; a 1695.4A left thread insert, which screws into the freshly cut 5\/8\" × 24 seat; and thread locker to fix that insert in the arm. Once the insert is set, the arm accepts any standard 9\/16\" × 20 left pedal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan the tap restore the original 9\/16\" thread without an insert?\u003c\/strong\u003e No. The stripped metal is gone, so the 1695.1AL deliberately cuts an oversize 5\/8\" × 24 seat rather than re-cutting the 9\/16\" × 20 standard. It is the 1695.4A insert threaded into that seat that carries the new pedal thread, which is why inserts belong in the same order as the tap.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Unior","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":34378799644716,"sku":"616554","price":35.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0012\/5786\/5260\/products\/1695.1al.jpg?v=1648784800"},{"product_id":"pedal-thread-inserts-10-pieces-set-left-58x24","title":"Left Pedal Thread Inserts, 10-Pack - 1695.4A","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Left Pedal Thread Insert 1695.4A is the part that turns a stripped left-hand pedal hole back into a working pedal thread. The insert is a sleeve with two thread profiles: an outer thread that engages the freshly cut hole left by the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pedal-taps-58x24-left\"\u003e1695.1AL Left Reaming Tap\u003c\/a\u003e, and an inner thread that matches the standard 9\/16\" × 20 TPI left-hand pedal thread.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnce the insert is installed and the thread locker has cured, the crank arm takes any standard left-hand bicycle pedal. The customer rides away on the same crank they came in with.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe complete rescue workflow\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA successful pedal-thread rescue is four steps:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReam the failed thread.\u003c\/strong\u003e Use the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pedal-taps-58x24-left\"\u003e1695.1AL Left Reaming Tap\u003c\/a\u003e on the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/handle-for-pedal-taps\"\u003eHandle for Pedal Taps 1695\/4BI\u003c\/a\u003e. The reaming portion cuts the failed thread away and enlarges the hole; the thread-cutting portion cuts a new thread sized for the insert.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eApply thread locker to the insert.\u003c\/strong\u003e A strong thread locker; typically a green or red; gives the insert the bonding it needs to stay put under repeated pedal removal-and-install cycles. Apply to the outer thread of the insert, not the inner thread.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInstall the insert into the crank arm.\u003c\/strong\u003e Thread it in by hand until it bottoms out. Don't over-torque; the insert should sit flush with the crank face.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLet the thread locker cure.\u003c\/strong\u003e Follow the locker manufacturer's cure time (typically 24 hours for a strong cure under no load). Then the pedal can be installed normally.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy a pedal-specific insert vs. a Heli-Coil\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA generic Heli-Coil-style spring insert engages the host thread on its outer profile and accepts a fastener on its inner profile, but the spring's coils flex slightly under load. For a pedal; which sees high cyclic load, vibration, and the regular install-and-remove cycle; a solid sleeve insert holds the thread profile more consistently than a spring insert. The 1695.4A is a solid sleeve, sized specifically for the 9\/16\" × 20 TPI left-hand pedal thread.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat's in the pack\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e10 inserts per pack. That's enough for several rescue jobs; the inserts don't go stale on a shelf, and the working-shop economics of pedal rescue favor stocking the consumable in volume.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecs\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLeft-hand thread, 9\/16\" × 20 TPI inner\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOuter thread sized for \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pedal-taps-58x24-left\"\u003e1695.1AL Left Reaming Tap\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e10 inserts per pack\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eArticle number: 1695.4A (left-hand variant)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBuilt in Zreče, Slovenia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnior has been forging hand tools in Zreče since 1919, and sponsors professional road and mountain-bike race teams. The 1695.4A insert is a Unior-specific design that matches the cut profile of the 1695.1AL reaming tap. Substituting a generic thread insert (Heli-Coil, Time-Sert) will not fit; the thread profile is different.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePro tip from our mechanics\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA shop that does pedal rescue gets known for it. Customers bring in their cranks expecting to hear about a replacement; they leave with the same crank and a $60 invoice instead of a $200 one. Our \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/tech-tips\/workshop-hand-tools-every-bike-shop-needs\"\u003eworkshop hand tools guide\u003c\/a\u003e covers the full pedal-rescue workflow and the rest of the workshop hand-tool layer: \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/tech-tips\/workshop-hand-tools-every-bike-shop-needs\"\u003eWorkshop hand tools every bike shop needs →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy are there 10 inserts in the pack — do I need all of them for one repair?\u003c\/strong\u003e One rescue uses one insert. The 1695.4A ships as a 10-piece set because it's a workshop consumable: the inserts don't age on the shelf, and a shop that does pedal-thread rescue goes through them. The price is for all ten inserts, not one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do I know I need the left insert and not the right one?\u003c\/strong\u003e The left crank arm uses a reverse (left-hand) pedal thread, so it needs this 1695.4A left insert with its 9\/16\" x 20 TPI left-hand inner thread. The right crank arm takes the 1695.3A right insert. Installing the wrong hand will not accept your pedal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need the 1695.1AL reaming tap to install these inserts?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes. The insert's outer 5\/8\" x 24 TPI left-hand thread is sized to the seat the 1695.1AL left reaming tap cuts into the crank arm. A generic thread insert or a hole that hasn't been tapped to this profile will not hold the insert.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich pedals fit after the insert is installed?\u003c\/strong\u003e Any standard left bicycle pedal with the 9\/16\" x 20 TPI left-hand thread — that covers virtually all modern two- and three-piece cranks. Let the thread locker cure per its manufacturer's instructions before installing the pedal at full torque.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Unior","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":34378799677484,"sku":"616552","price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0012\/5786\/5260\/products\/1695.4a.jpg?v=1642725793"},{"product_id":"pedal-taps-58x24-right","title":"Right Pedal Reaming Tap - 1695.1AR","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe right-hand pedal thread on a crank arm fails in two common ways. The customer cross-threads the pedal at first install, cutting new (wrong) angle threads through the existing pattern. Or years of road dirt and corrosion in the thread eventually destroy the engagement surface. Either way, chasing the existing thread won't recover it. The Right Pedal Reaming Tap 1695.1AR is the tool that does.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 1695.1AR cuts the failed right-hand thread away, enlarges the hole to a precise oversize diameter, and cuts a new thread pattern sized for the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pedal-thread-inserts-10-pieces-set-right-58x24\"\u003eRight Pedal Thread Insert 1695.3A\u003c\/a\u003e. \"Right\" matters; the right pedal threads in the standard clockwise direction, and the tap geometry is sized to match.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe reaming workflow\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePair the 1695.1AR with the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/handle-for-pedal-taps\"\u003eHandle for Pedal Taps 1695\/4BI\u003c\/a\u003e for leverage and alignment. The handle's square-drive socket holds the tap square to the crank face during the cut, which matters because the first turn establishes the new thread's angle relative to the pedal axis. An off-axis first turn means an off-axis thread, which means a pedal that threads in but doesn't seat square against the crank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reaming section of the tool removes the failed thread material. The trailing thread-cutting section cuts the new thread profile. The result is a precision-sized, freshly cut hole ready for the thread insert. Thread the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pedal-thread-inserts-10-pieces-set-right-58x24\"\u003eRight Pedal Thread Insert\u003c\/a\u003e in with strong thread locker, let it cure, and the crank takes a standard pedal again.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCrank Saver Kit context\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 1695.1AR is one of four components of the full pedal-thread rescue system. The others: the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pedal-taps-58x24-left\"\u003e1695.1AL left reaming tap\u003c\/a\u003e, the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/handle-for-pedal-taps\"\u003ehandle\u003c\/a\u003e, and the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pedal-thread-inserts-10-pieces-set-right-58x24\"\u003ethread inserts\u003c\/a\u003e. The complete kit (Crank Saver) ships as a single package; the individual parts are useful for a shop that's lost one component or stocks specific sizes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhen to choose a reaming tap vs. a chase tap\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChase the thread (with the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pedal-taps-916-x-20-tpi\"\u003ePedal Tap Set 1695.1\u003c\/a\u003e) when the existing thread is intact but dirty, slightly corroded, or paint-blocked. Ream the thread (with the 1695.1AR) when the existing thread is stripped, cross-cut, or torn out and won't hold a pedal under load. The distinction matters: use the chase tap on a thread that needs reaming, and the chase won't fix it. Use the reaming tap on a thread that just needs chasing, and you're cutting good metal away unnecessarily.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecs\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRight-hand reaming and thread-cutting tap\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCuts a 5\/8\" × 24 TPI oversize seat thread; the finished insert restores the standard 9\/16\" × 20 pedal thread\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSquare-shank engagement, compatible with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/handle-for-pedal-taps\"\u003e1695\/4BI Handle for Pedal Taps\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePair with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pedal-thread-inserts-10-pieces-set-right-58x24\"\u003eRight Pedal Thread Insert 1695.3A\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eArticle number: 1695.1AR. Length 85.5 mm, weight 80 g, premium flex plus carbon steel, hardened\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBuilt in Zreče, Slovenia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnior has been forging hand tools in Zreče since 1919, and sponsors professional road and mountain-bike race teams. The 1695 system is a Unior-specific design; the reaming-and-thread-insert pairing was developed for the cycling repair trade, not adapted from a general-machinery thread-repair kit. The threads on the insert match the cut profile of the reaming tap; substituting a Heli-Coil-style generic insert won't work because the thread profile doesn't fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePro tip from our mechanics\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe mechanic-economics on pedal-thread rescue are simple. A crank-arm replacement is $80–$300 depending on the build. The Crank Saver service is the cost of two tap turns plus an insert. The shop that does the rescue keeps the customer's bike running for a fraction of the replacement cost. Our \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/tech-tips\/workshop-hand-tools-every-bike-shop-needs\"\u003eworkshop hand tools guide\u003c\/a\u003e walks through the full pedal-thread workflow: \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/tech-tips\/workshop-hand-tools-every-bike-shop-needs\"\u003eWorkshop hand tools every bike shop needs →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need the right tap or the left one?\u003c\/strong\u003e The 1695.1AR is for the right (drive-side) crank arm, which uses a standard clockwise pedal thread. The left arm is reverse-threaded and takes the 1695.1AL instead. The taps are not interchangeable; the cutting geometry is handed. If you are rescuing both arms, or stocking a shop bench, you want both taps plus the matching left and right inserts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat thread does this tap actually cut?\u003c\/strong\u003e A 5\/8\" × 24 TPI oversize thread. That is deliberately larger than the 9\/16\" × 20 pedal standard: the tap clears out the failed thread and cuts a new seat sized for the 1695.3A thread insert, and it is the insert that returns the arm to a standard 9\/16\" × 20 pedal thread. The tap on its own does not restore the original thread, so plan on the insert as part of the job.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do I drive the tap, and does alignment matter?\u003c\/strong\u003e The shank ends in a square drive that pairs with the Handle for Pedal Taps 1695\/4BI. Alignment matters most on the first turn: the reaming section should sit square to the crank face before you load it, because the angle you start at is the angle the new thread follows. Cut slowly with cutting fluid and back off periodically to clear chips.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMy pedal threads are just dirty, not stripped. Is this the wrong tool?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes. A thread that is intact but fouled by dirt, corrosion or paint only needs chasing with the standard Pedal Tap Set 1695.1, which cleans the existing 9\/16\" × 20 thread without removing sound metal. Reach for the 1695.1AR only when the thread is stripped, cross-threaded or torn out and will no longer hold a pedal under load.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Unior","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":34378799710252,"sku":"616553","price":35.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0012\/5786\/5260\/products\/1695.1ar.jpg?v=1648784816"},{"product_id":"pedal-thread-inserts-10-pieces-set-right-58x24","title":"Right Pedal Thread Inserts, 10-Pack - 1695.3A","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Right Pedal Thread Insert 1695.3A is the rescue part for a stripped right-hand pedal thread. The insert installs into a freshly reamed crank arm hole and accepts a standard right-hand 9\/16\" × 20 TPI pedal. After the thread locker cures, the crank takes the original right-hand pedal at full working torque.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \"right\" designation matters: the right pedal threads in the standard clockwise direction, and the insert's inner thread is sized to match. The \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pedal-thread-inserts-10-pieces-set-left-58x24\"\u003eLeft Pedal Thread Insert\u003c\/a\u003e handles the left-hand pedal thread (which is reverse-threaded by bicycle convention to prevent loosening under pedaling).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow the insert sits in the rescue workflow\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe complete rescue:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReam the failed thread.\u003c\/strong\u003e The \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pedal-taps-58x24-right\"\u003e1695.1AR Right Reaming Tap\u003c\/a\u003e cuts the failed thread away and cuts a new thread pattern sized for this insert. Use the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/handle-for-pedal-taps\"\u003eHandle for Pedal Taps 1695\/4BI\u003c\/a\u003e for leverage and alignment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThread-lock the insert.\u003c\/strong\u003e Apply a strong thread locker (green or red typical) to the outer thread of the insert.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInstall the insert into the reamed hole.\u003c\/strong\u003e Hand-thread until flush with the crank face. Don't over-torque; the locker does the holding work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCure.\u003c\/strong\u003e 24 hours typical for a strong cure. The pedal can be installed normally after curing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMaterial and form\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe insert is a solid steel sleeve; not a spring-coil thread insert. The solid form holds the thread profile under cyclic load better than a spring insert; pedals see hundreds of millions of force-cycles over a working lifespan, and the insert's job is to stay rigid through all of them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe outer thread is sized to match the cut profile of the 1695.1AR reaming tap. The inner thread is the standard 9\/16\" × 20 TPI right-hand pedal thread, identical to a stock crank's pedal hole.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat's in the pack\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e10 inserts per pack. A working shop uses inserts on every Crank Saver service; stocking by the pack is the working-shop economics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecs\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRight-hand thread, 9\/16\" × 20 TPI inner\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOuter thread sized for \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pedal-taps-58x24-right\"\u003e1695.1AR Right Reaming Tap\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e10 inserts per pack\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSolid steel sleeve\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eArticle number: 1695.3A (right-hand variant)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBuilt in Zreče, Slovenia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnior has been forging hand tools in Zreče since 1919, and sponsors professional road and mountain-bike race teams. The 1695.3A is part of Unior's purpose-built pedal-thread-rescue system. The complete kit (taps, handle, inserts) is sold as the Crank Saver Kit for shops setting up the full workflow; individual components are stocked for shops re-supplying consumables.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePro tip from our mechanics\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cure time on the thread locker is the most-skipped step in pedal-rescue jobs. A shop that installs the pedal \"right away\" because the customer is waiting often gets a callback for a loose insert two months later. A reliable pedal-rescue workflow includes the cure time on the schedule. Our \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/tech-tips\/workshop-hand-tools-every-bike-shop-needs\"\u003eworkshop hand tools guide\u003c\/a\u003e walks through the workflow and the rest of the workshop hand-tool layer: \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/tech-tips\/workshop-hand-tools-every-bike-shop-needs\"\u003eWorkshop hand tools every bike shop needs →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow many inserts do I get for the price?\u003c\/strong\u003e Ten. The 1695.3A is sold as a 10-piece set, the same pack Unior supplies to shops. Each repair uses one insert, so a pack covers ten stripped right crank arms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill these fit a left crank arm?\u003c\/strong\u003e No. These are right-hand inserts with a standard clockwise 9\/16\" x 20 TPI inner thread. The left pedal thread is reverse-threaded by bicycle convention, so the left crank needs Unior's left-hand insert set (article 1695.4A).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need a special tool to install them?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes. The crank arm must first be reamed with the Unior 1695.1AR right reaming tap, which cuts the 5\/8\" x 24 TPI seat the insert's outer thread matches. The insert is then set with a strong thread locker and left to cure before the pedal goes back in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich pedals fit after the repair?\u003c\/strong\u003e Any pedal with the standard 9\/16\" x 20 TPI thread, which covers nearly all adult-bike pedals. The insert's inner thread is identical to a stock crank's pedal hole, and the pedal runs at full working torque once the thread locker has cured.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Unior","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":34378799743020,"sku":"616551","price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0012\/5786\/5260\/products\/1695.3a.jpg?v=1642728509"},{"product_id":"crank-saver","title":"Crank Saver Kit - 1695MB1-US","description":"\u003cp\u003eA crank arm with stripped pedal threads is one of the more expensive failures a bike can hand a customer. Replacement crank arms ballpark from low three figures at the entry tier well into the four figures for premium carbon road and DH cranks; a stripped left arm on a high-end Shimano or SRAM crankset can land in the same price band as a complete entry-level groupset on its own.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Crank Saver Kit is the workshop intervention that turns that failure from a parts purchase into a repair. The kit reams the existing pedal threads out to a larger oversize, cuts a new 5\/8″ × 24 TPI oversize thread in the reamed bore, and threads in a steel insert that restores the original 9\/16″ × 20 TPI pedal-thread spec. The crank arm is back to standard pedal threads; the next pedal install is normal pedal-install work, not a salvage operation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat's in the kit\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReaming pedal taps\u003c\/strong\u003e for both the left (LH) and right (RH) crank arms; left pedals are left-hand thread to resist loosening under pedalling load, so the kit ships with one of each direction.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTap handle\u003c\/strong\u003e with the right interface for the reaming taps.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSteel pedal-thread inserts\u003c\/strong\u003e — two 10-piece sets, one per side, 20 in total — sized to 9\/16″ × 20 TPI on the inside, with a 5\/8″ × 24 TPI outer thread that mates with the tapped bore.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSteel storage case\u003c\/strong\u003e with our SOS foam cut-outs holding each component in its labelled position. The case earns its keep on the workshop bench: pulling out the kit shows you immediately whether anything is missing or out of place.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow the repair works\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen a pedal threads come out of a crank arm with the pedal still attached, the threads in the arm are usually the failure point (aluminium thread under cyclic load, often after a previous over-tightening or cross-threading event). Replacing the arm is one option; the other, far cheaper option is the thread-insert repair the Crank Saver enables.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reaming tap cuts the damaged threads out of the arm's bore and reams the bore to the insert's outer-thread size. The insert threads into the freshly cut bore and is secured with strong thread locker (its inner threads are factory-cut to the standard 9\/16″ × 20 TPI pedal spec). Once cured, the insert won't back out under pedal-install or pedal-use torque.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA pedal threaded into the inserted bore takes the same torque spec as a pedal threaded into a fresh crank arm. The repair restores full strength.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAluminium crank arms with stripped 9\/16″ × 20 TPI pedal threads (the standard pedal thread for adult bicycles)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBoth left (LH) and right (RH) sides; the kit includes taps for each direction.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNot for\u003c\/strong\u003e carbon-fibre crank arms (the reaming step requires aluminium substrate; pedal-thread failures on carbon arms typically require manufacturer-warranty service or arm replacement).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBuilt in Zreče\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnior has been forging hand tools in Zreče since 1919, and sponsors professional road and mountain-bike race teams. The Crank Saver Kit packages the workshop pedal-thread repair into one steel case with our SOS foam cut-outs; the case is the difference between a kit that lives on the bench and one that scatters through a parts bin within six months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePro tip from our mechanics\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost stripped pedal threads we see are the result of a pedal that backed out under riding load. Two prevention steps go a long way: tighten pedals to the manufacturer's spec (most current pedals call for around 35–40 Nm, with the pedal held still and the crank rotated, so torque is delivered cleanly), and always start the pedal threads by hand. A pedal that's hand-tight before the wrench engages is on-axis; one that takes a wrench to start is cross-threading.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor the broader crank-tools decision tree (puller selection, cap-tool gotchas, and when a crank is past saving): \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/tech-tips\/how-to-remove-a-crankset\"\u003eHow to remove a crankset →\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does the Crank Saver repair a stripped pedal thread?\u003c\/strong\u003e The reaming tap cuts the damaged threads out of the crank arm and cuts a new 5\/8″ × 24 TPI oversize thread in the bore in one operation — no separate tap is needed. A steel insert then threads into that seat and is secured with strong thread locker; its inner thread is factory-cut to the standard 9\/16″ × 20 TPI pedal spec, so any standard pedal installs normally afterwards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich crank arms can it repair?\u003c\/strong\u003e Aluminium crank arms with stripped 9\/16″ × 20 TPI pedal threads — the standard pedal thread on adult bikes — on either side: the kit includes direction-specific left and right taps, since left pedals use a left-hand thread. It is not for carbon-fibre arms, which can't be reamed and typically need manufacturer service or replacement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat exactly is in the case?\u003c\/strong\u003e Six components: the tap handle (1695\/4BI-US), left and right reaming taps (1695.1AL \/ 1695.1AR), one 10-piece set of left-hand inserts (1695.4A) and one 10-piece set of right-hand inserts (1695.3A) — 20 inserts in total — all in a 321 × 198 × 54 mm metal storage case with labelled foam cut-outs. The complete kit weighs 4.5 kg.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I buy replacement inserts once the kit runs low?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes. The left (1695.4A) and right (1695.3A) pedal-thread inserts are sold separately as 10-piece refill sets, and the reaming taps and tap handle are also available individually — the taps are hardened premium flex plus carbon steel and last through many repairs. Like all Unior tools, the kit carries a lifetime warranty.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Unior","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":34378801643564,"sku":"626980","price":249.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0012\/5786\/5260\/products\/1695mb1-us.jpg?v=1642723086"},{"product_id":"headtube-reamer-and-facer-1694","title":"Headtube Reamer and Facer - 1694","description":"\u003cp\u003eMost factory frames arrive with the head tube already faced and reamed; most builds never need this tool. The Headtube Reamer and Facer 1694 is the one we reach for when a frame doesn't fit that profile. A steel build coming back from powder coat. A second-hand frame whose history we don't know. A fresh-from-the-painter frame with the upper cup face still hiding under a paint film. A new aluminum build where the headset feels tight on press-in or rocks after install. In each case the head tube needs work before the headset goes in, and the 1694 does both operations the head tube needs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat the tool does\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 1694 reams the head tube bore and faces both ends from a single handle. The reamer trims the inside diameter to spec; the facer trims the upper and lower head tube ends square to that bore. The order matters: ream first, face second. The reamer establishes the reference bore, and the facer registers off that bore to set the face perpendicular. Facing before reaming gets you a perpendicular face to whatever the bore was, which may not be what you want.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tool is part of Unior's modular frame-prep series. The 1694 reamer\/facer cutters share a handle with the modular system's bottom-bracket facing tool, the chase taps, and the other frame-prep tools we sell. A complete frame-prep kit takes up about a third of the bench space a non-modular toolkit would; useful in a small shop, useful in a travel-case kit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 1694 is sized for 1 1\/8″ head tubes. 1″ head tubes (vintage road, BMX, some classic mountain) are a different fitment and the 1694 doesn't cover them. Tapered head tubes are reamed and faced at the 1 1\/8″ upper end; the lower (1 1\/2″) end uses a separate cup-bore tool, which is a different operation than face-and-ream.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecs\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompatible head tube: 1 1\/8″ only\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCutter: hardened tool steel reamer + facer cutters\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHandle: shared across Unior's modular frame-prep series\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMade in Slovenia by Unior\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIncludes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Reamer cutter, facer cutter, modular handle. Cup-side cutters (1694.1) and the modular-system handle (1695.1\/4BI) are sold separately if you need to replace a cutter or expand the kit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMade in Slovenia, since 1919\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnior has been forging hand tools in Zreče since 1919, and sponsors professional road and mountain-bike race teams. The 1694's reamer body is hardened tool steel because the head tube face has to survive thousands of cuts across a tool's working life without the cutting edge dulling. A reamer that goes soft in five years isn't a tool, it's a consumable; the 1694 is built to be the former.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePro tip from our mechanics\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBefore you commit to facing a frame, run the dust-cap test. Drop the upper cup in dry, set the dust cap on top, and look at the gap. A gap that closes evenly all the way around means the cup is sitting square and the face is fine. A gap that closes on one side and stays open on the other means the head tube face isn't square and the 1694 has work to do. A factory-faced frame doesn't get better from a second pass; it just gets shorter, and the head tube has a finite stack height. Face only when the test says you need to.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe dust-cap test, the ream-then-face order, and how the 1694 fits into a full frame-prep workflow are all in our walk-through: \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/tech-tips\/frame-prep-head-tube-and-crown-race\"\u003eFrame prep: head tube, crown race, and star nut work →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Unior","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":34378806919212,"sku":"626480","price":399.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0012\/5786\/5260\/products\/1694-us.jpg?v=1642725305"},{"product_id":"bottom-bracket-facing-tool-1699","title":"Bottom Bracket Facing Tool - 1699","description":"\u003cp\u003eA bottom bracket shell faces two ways at once. The drive-side face and the non-drive-side face have to be parallel to each other, perpendicular to the shell's bore, and clean enough to clamp a cup against without rocking. A factory shell that doesn't meet those conditions sends every drop of crank force through a cup that's sitting slightly cocked, and the bearings wear unevenly from the first ride. The Bottom Bracket Facing Tool 1699 is the bench tool that brings the faces back to parallel-and-square; the same tool that the Tech Tips walk-through demonstrates step by step.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat the tool does\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 1699 mounts to the shell through the bore and presents a rotating cutter to each face. The cutter trims a fine pass off the shell metal until the face is square to the bore the tool itself registers on. Each face is cut in its own pass with the tool registered in the shell's threads, one side at a time; because both cuts reference the same bore axis, the faces come out parallel — the tool's geometry is the reference, not the original shell condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 1699 is part of Unior's modular frame-prep series. It shares its handle with the Head Tube Reamer and Facer 1694, the BB taps (1697 BSA, 1698 Italian, T47), and the other modular frame-prep tools. A workshop running the full series carries one handle and a kit of cutters and guides, not a separate handle per operation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 1699 is the shell-side facing tool. Pair it with the right guide for the BB shell standard:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBSA (1.37″ × 24 TPI): \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bsa-bottom-bracket-facing-guide-1699-4bsa\"\u003eBSA Bottom Bracket Facing Guide 1699\/4BSA\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eItalian threaded (36 × 24): Italian facing guide 1699.4ITA (sold separately)\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCutter blade (replacement \/ spare): \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bottom-bracket-facing-cutter\"\u003eBottom Bracket Facing Cutter 1699.1\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tool ships with the BSA guide included, which covers the most common threaded shell in the current Unior USA catalog. Italian-threaded shells need the optional Italian guide (1699.4ITA, sold separately). The 1699's facing coverage is BSA and Italian only — there is no T47 facing guide; for T47 shells, Unior's \u003ca href=\"\/products\/taps-t47\"\u003eTaps T47\u003c\/a\u003e handle thread chasing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecs\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOperation: dual-face facing, hand-driven via modular handle; complete set 2,050 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCutter: premium plus carbon steel, replaceable (Ø44 × 29 mm, 197 g)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eModular series: shares the 1695.1\/4BI handle with the 1694, 1697, 1698, and T47 taps\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMade in Slovenia by Unior\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIncludes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Magnetic handle 1695.1\/4BI-US, reamer body 1699.2\/4, cutter 1699.1, BSA guide 1699.4BSA, and guide wrench 1699.5\/4P — the five-piece set. Italian guide 1699.4ITA sold separately.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMade in Slovenia, since 1919\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnior has been forging hand tools in Zreče since 1919, and sponsors professional road and mountain-bike race teams. The 1699's cutter is premium plus carbon steel because the cut surface itself is the spec the bearings live with; a soft cutter that chatters across the face leaves a stepped surface, and a stepped surface is worse than no facing at all. The 1699 is built to leave a clean ring around both faces, first cut and last.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePro tip from our mechanics\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eApply cutting fluid generously. Light, steady torque on the handle. Let the tool cut. Forcing the facer produces chatter marks; rushing it leaves a stepped surface where half the face is cut and the other half is still painted or anodized. Watch the chip pattern: continuous curls means the cut is happening; powdered chips means the tool is dragging without cutting and you need more pressure on the handle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe full BSA-shell prep walk-through (chasing threads first, then facing, with the right reference forces and the chip-pattern diagnostic) is in our Tech Tips: \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/tech-tips\/frame-prep-threaded-bottom-bracket-shells\"\u003eFrame prep: threaded bottom bracket shells →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich bottom bracket standards does the Unior 1699 cover?\u003c\/strong\u003e BSA (1.37″ × 24 TPI) out of the box, via the included 1699.4BSA guide. Italian-threaded shells (36 × 24) take the optional 1699.4ITA guide, sold separately. The system is threaded-shell only — there is no T47 or press-fit facing guide for the 1699.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhen does a bottom bracket shell actually need facing?\u003c\/strong\u003e When the shell faces are painted, anodized, or cut unevenly enough that the cups don't clamp flat — the classic symptoms are creaking and bearings that wear out early. Facing machines both faces square to the shell's bore, which straightens the bottom bracket in the frame and lets the bearings load evenly. A shell with clean, parallel faces doesn't need it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does the 1699 keep the two faces parallel?\u003c\/strong\u003e The guide bushings thread into the shell and the cutter registers on that thread axis, with a spring and tension nut controlling cutting pressure. Each face is cut in its own pass, but both passes reference the same bore axis, so the finished faces come out parallel to each other and square to the threads. On BSA shells the R\/L marks on the bushings designate thread direction — the drive side is left-hand threaded — not which side of the frame they go in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat spare parts are available for the 1699?\u003c\/strong\u003e The cutter is replaceable — it's the Bottom Bracket Facing Cutter 1699.1 (premium plus carbon steel, Ø44 × 29 mm), sold separately. The BSA facing guide (1699.4BSA) and the guide wrench (1699.5\/4P) are also available individually, so a lost or worn piece doesn't retire the set.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Unior","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":34378807214124,"sku":"626477","price":249.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0012\/5786\/5260\/products\/1699-us.jpg?v=1642720800"},{"product_id":"handle-for-modular-frame-prep-tools-1695-1-4bi","title":"Handle for Modular Frame Prep Tools - 1695.1\/4BI","description":"\u003cp\u003eFrame prep is a small set of operations that each need a different cutter or guide on the same drive: chasing BB threads, facing the BB shell, reaming and facing a head tube, T47 thread chasing, and a few related jobs. The 1695.1\/4BI handle is the common drive end of that family. Rather than shipping each tool with its own dedicated bar, Unior built the frame-prep series around a single handle pattern; you buy the cutters and guides you need, and one or two handles serve the whole bench.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat this piece does\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 1695.1\/4BI is the T-bar handle that mates with Unior's modular frame-prep cutters and tap holders. It carries the torque the mechanic puts in at the bench through a square-drive coupling to whichever frame-prep tool is currently mounted. Bottom-bracket tapping needs two of these (one each side of the shell, working simultaneously); head-tube reaming, BB facing, and T47 chasing each need one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDrives every modular tool in the frame-prep family:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/bottom-bracket-facing-tool-1699\"\u003eBottom Bracket Facing Tool 1699\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/bottom-bracket-tap-1697-bsa\"\u003eBSA Bottom Bracket Tap 1697\u003c\/a\u003e and the BSA \/ Italian tap holders\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/taps-t47\"\u003eTaps T47\u003c\/a\u003e (M47 × 1.0 thread)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/headtube-reamer-and-facer-1694\"\u003eHead Tube Reamer and Facer 1694\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA shop that owns one full frame-prep operation already owns the handle; for the second operation, buying the cutter \/ guide \/ tap holder alone is enough. The handle is the part you only need once or twice on the bench.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecs\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eType: modular handle with square-drive coupling\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompatible tools: 1694, 1697, 1698, 1699, Taps T47, and other modular frame-prep cutters and holders\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMade in Slovenia by Unior\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMade in Slovenia, since 1919\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnior has been forging hand tools in Zreče since 1919, and sponsors professional road and mountain-bike race teams. The modular handle is the design decision that connects the whole frame-prep series; the same handle on the BB facer, the head-tube reamer, the T47 taps, and the BSA \/ Italian tap holders is what makes a frame-prep bench compact instead of cluttered.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePro tip from our mechanics\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBB tapping needs two handles working at once: one driving the drive-side (left-hand thread) holder and one driving the non-drive-side (right-hand thread) holder, both feeding into the shell simultaneously so the taps stay parallel and the thread cuts cleanly. A shop that has one handle and one tap holder can still face a BB shell or chase T47 threads; for BSA \/ Italian tap chasing on a paint-fresh frame, a second handle pays for itself the first time you reach for it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe walk-through of the full BB-prep sequence (tap holders driving simultaneously, then the facer, with the right feed control) is in our Tech Tips: \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/tech-tips\/frame-prep-threaded-bottom-bracket-shells\"\u003eFrame prep: threaded bottom bracket shells →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Unior","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":34378807410732,"sku":"626465","price":39.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0012\/5786\/5260\/products\/1695.1_4bi-us.jpg?v=1648784325"},{"product_id":"frame-for-1699-bottom-bracket-facer-1699-2-4","title":"Frame for 1699 Bottom Bracket Facer - 1699.2\/4","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe 1699 BB facing tool isn't a single rigid bar; it's a four-piece assembly that reaches through the shell to pull both faces square to the bore. The 1699.2\/4 frame is the spine that does the reaching. It's the threaded rod that runs through the BB shell, carrying the sprung pilot on one end and the cutter \/ handle stack on the other.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat this piece does\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 1699.2\/4 frame is the central drawbar of the 1699 BB facing system. One end carries a sprung pilot that registers against the inside of the shell; the other end accepts the cutter and the modular handle. As the mechanic turns the handle, the cutter rotates against the outer shell face while the frame holds the assembly coaxial to the bore. The spring on the pilot end keeps the geometry under load without bottoming, which is what lets both faces get cut in the same setup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA workshop that already owns a 1695.1\/4BI handle from another modular frame-prep tool (head-tube reamer, BB taps, T47 taps) can build the full 1699 BB facing system around this frame plus the right cutter and guide. The frame is the piece that doesn't change between BSA and Italian thread variants; the guides do.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePairs with the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bottom-bracket-facing-cutter\"\u003eBottom Bracket Facing Cutter 1699.1\u003c\/a\u003e (cutting edge)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAccepts either the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bsa-bottom-bracket-facing-guide-1699-4bsa\"\u003eBSA Facing Guide 1699\/4BSA\u003c\/a\u003e or the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bsa-bottom-bracket-facing-guide-1699-4bsa\"\u003eItalian Facing Guide\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDrives through the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/handle-for-modular-frame-prep-tools-1695-1-4bi\"\u003emodular frame-prep handle 1695.1\/4BI\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecs\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eType: threaded drawbar with sprung pilot\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFunction: holds the BB facing assembly coaxial to the shell bore\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDrive: square-drive interface to 1695.1\/4BI modular handle\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMade in Slovenia by Unior\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIncludes:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1699.2\/4 frame only. Cutter, guide, handle, and the small wrench for the guide sold separately.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMade in Slovenia, since 1919\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnior has been forging hand tools in Zreče since 1919, and sponsors professional road and mountain-bike race teams. The frame is the part that the BB facing geometry hangs on; if the drawbar flexes or the spring sags, the cutter walks off the bore-square reference and the faces come out unsquare. Building the frame to hold that geometry under repeated cutting load is the unglamorous engineering that makes the rest of the assembly work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePro tip from our mechanics\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen the frame threads through a freshly-chased shell, it should slide cleanly with no binding. A binding frame means the thread chase wasn't complete, or there's swarf left in the shell from the previous step; pulling the frame back out and chasing the shell once more is faster than fighting the facing operation against a dirty bore.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sprung pilot on the inside-shell end is a serviceable assembly. If the spring tension drops over years of use (rare, but it happens on a busy production bench), the cutter starts feeding inconsistently and the faces come out stepped. The fix is a frame replacement, not a field repair.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe complete BB-prep walk-through (chasing threads first, then facing with the frame \/ cutter \/ guide stack) is in our Tech Tips: \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/tech-tips\/frame-prep-threaded-bottom-bracket-shells\"\u003eFrame prep: threaded bottom bracket shells →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Unior","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":34378807476268,"sku":"626468","price":68.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0012\/5786\/5260\/files\/Frame-for-1699-Bottom-Bracket-Facer.jpg?v=1732111448"},{"product_id":"bsa-bottom-bracket-tap-holder-1697-2-4","title":"Bottom Bracket Tap Holder BSA","description":"\u003cp\u003eInside the 1697 BSA tap system, three pieces share the load: the cutting edge that does the thread chasing, the handle the mechanic drives, and the holder that bridges the two. The 1697.2\/4 BSA tap holder is that bridge piece. It accepts the BSA tap cutters at one end and the modular handle at the other, presenting the cutter to the shell at the correct angle and torque transmission for clean thread chasing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat this piece does\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 1697.2\/4 holds a BSA tap cutter (right-hand for non-drive, left-hand for drive) and couples it to the modular handle. A complete BSA chasing operation needs two of these (one each side of the shell) plus two handles, two cutters, and the guide frame; the holder is the piece that translates handle torque into thread-cutting force without flexing or wandering off the cutter's coaxial line through the shell.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHolds \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bottom-bracket-tap-cutters-1697-1\"\u003eBSA-pitch tap cutters 1697.1\u003c\/a\u003e (1.37″ × 24 TPI, paired right-hand \/ left-hand)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCouples to the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/handle-for-modular-frame-prep-tools-1695-1-4bi\"\u003emodular frame-prep handle 1695.1\/4BI\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePart of the same modular family as the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bottom-bracket-facing-tool-1699\"\u003eBottom Bracket Facing Tool 1699\u003c\/a\u003e and the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/taps-t47\"\u003eTaps T47\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecs\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePattern: BSA (paired use, one holder per side of the shell)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCarries: 1697.1 BSA tap cutter (sold separately as a pair)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDrive: square-drive interface to 1695.1\/4BI modular handle\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMade in Slovenia by Unior\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIncludes:\u003c\/strong\u003e One BSA tap holder. BSA cutters and handle sold separately; a complete chasing operation requires two of each.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMade in Slovenia, since 1919\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnior has been forging hand tools in Zreče since 1919, and sponsors professional road and mountain-bike race teams. The holder is a piece that earns its place by what it doesn't do; it doesn't flex under cutting load, doesn't introduce angular play between handle and cutter, doesn't drift off coaxial during the chase. A holder that does any of those things produces threads that look right but bind the cup at install. The 1697.2\/4 is built for the negative spec.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePro tip from our mechanics\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo holders running simultaneously is the BSA chasing setup, and the geometry only works if both holders are mounted with the cutter stamps reading correctly (L on drive side, R on non-drive side). Cross-mount one and the taps fight each other through the shell. Check the stamp orientation before threading the cutters into the holders, not after the handles are on.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA holder showing visible play around the cutter retention (cutter rocking in the holder under finger pressure) is a holder that needs replacement; that play translates directly into off-axis cutter pressure and a galled shell. Inspect the holder-to-cutter fit before each BB-prep session on a busy bench.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe BSA-shell walk-through covers the dual-holder simultaneous-drive sequence and how to read the chip pattern as the cut progresses: \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/tech-tips\/frame-prep-threaded-bottom-bracket-shells\"\u003eFrame prep: threaded bottom bracket shells →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Unior","offers":[{"title":"BSA","offer_id":34378807509036,"sku":"626467","price":34.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0012\/5786\/5260\/products\/1697.2_4.jpg?v=1642721523"},{"product_id":"bsa-bottom-bracket-facing-guide-1699-4bsa","title":"Bottom Bracket Facing Guide BSA","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe 1699 BB facing tool needs a reference for its cutting axis. The shell's own threads are that reference, but only when the facing tool has something to grip the threads with. This listing is that grip, in two thread standards. Each variant is a paired set of inserts that screw into a chased shell and present a flat, coaxial mounting surface for the 1699's frame. Pick BSA (article 1699.4BSA) or Italian (article 1699.4ITA) to match the shell.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat this piece does\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe BSA variant (1699.4BSA, code 626470, 240 g) is a matched pair of 1 3\/8″ × 24 TPI inserts, stamped BSA-L and BSA-R. BSA-L is left-hand thread (drive side); BSA-R is right-hand thread (non-drive side). The R and L marks name thread direction, not frame side. The Italian variant (1699.4ITA, code 626469, 252 g) is a matched pair stamped ITAL M36×24 TPI; both sides are right-hand thread. Once either pair is seated, the 1699 facing frame passes through them and the cutter rides coaxial to the bore.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe guide is the piece that translates the shell's internal thread geometry into an external mounting reference for the cutter. Without it, the cutter has no clean coaxial line to follow; with it, the cutter's path is determined by the shell threads themselves, which is the geometric reference the bearings will eventually live on.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBSA-threaded shells (1 3\/8″ × 24 TPI) or Italian-threaded shells (M36 × 24 TPI). There is no T47 facing guide\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMates with the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/frame-for-1699-bottom-bracket-facer-1699-2-4\"\u003eFrame for 1699 Bottom Bracket Facer 1699.2\/4\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePart of a complete \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bottom-bracket-facing-tool-1699\"\u003eBottom Bracket Facing Tool 1699\u003c\/a\u003e setup\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecs\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThread: BSA 1 3\/8″ × 24 TPI (LH + RH); Italian M36 × 24 TPI (RH both sides)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePair: BSA-L + BSA-R on the BSA variant; two ITAL-stamped inserts on the Italian variant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFunction: threaded reference inserts for the 1699 BB facing tool\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTightening: use the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/1699-5-4p-wrench-for-bottom-bracket-facing-tool-guide-bsa-ita\"\u003e1699.5\/4P facing-guide wrench\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMade in Slovenia by Unior\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIncludes:\u003c\/strong\u003e BSA variant: one BSA-L insert and one BSA-R insert. Italian variant: two ITAL M36×24 TPI inserts. The 1699.5\/4P wrench is sold separately.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMade in Slovenia, since 1919\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnior has been forging hand tools in Zreče since 1919, and sponsors professional road and mountain-bike race teams. The guide is the geometric pivot of the BB facing operation; it takes the shell's own thread spec and converts it into the cutter's setup reference. Building the guide to that geometric responsibility means tight thread tolerances and flat outer faces that mate without rocking. The 1699\/4BSA's working surfaces are the kind of small precision detail that decides whether the facing operation produces a square face or a slightly cocked one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePro tip from our mechanics\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChase the threads before mounting the guide. The guide threads in by hand; if it doesn't seat by hand the threads aren't clean, and forcing the guide will damage either the guide or the shell. Run the matching taps through first (BSA or Italian), blow the shell out, and then thread the guide in by hand until it bottoms against the shell face. Tighten with the 1699.5\/4P guide wrench; finger-tight isn't enough to hold the guide square through a cutting operation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth guides should bottom against the same plane on the shell faces. If one side leaves a visible gap and the other doesn't, check whether the shell faces are out-of-parallel by enough that the facing operation will produce uneven cuts on each side; sometimes the answer is to start the facing pass and let the cutter equalize them, and sometimes the answer is to investigate why one face is so much shorter than the other before cutting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe BSA-shell prep walk-through covers the chase-then-mount-guide-then-face sequence in order: \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/tech-tips\/frame-prep-threaded-bottom-bracket-shells\"\u003eFrame prep: threaded bottom bracket shells →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is the difference between the BSA and Italian options on this page?\u003c\/strong\u003e BSA (article 1699.4BSA, SKU 626470) is 1 3\/8\" × 24 TPI with opposite-hand inserts: BSA-L is left-hand thread for the drive side, BSA-R is right-hand thread for the non-drive side. Italian (article 1699.4ITA, SKU 626469) is M36 × 24 TPI with right-hand thread on both sides; both inserts are stamped ITAL M36×24tpi. Pair weights are 240 g (BSA) and 252 g (Italian). Pick the variant that matches the shell you are facing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this listing include the 1699 facing tool or the seating wrench?\u003c\/strong\u003e No. This page is the spare guide pair only. The complete 1699 set already includes the BSA guide and the 1699.5\/4P wrench; the Italian guide is an official option, not in that set. Unior specifies seating the inserts with wrench 1699.5\/4P, which is sold separately if you do not already have the set.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs there a T47 or press-fit facing guide for the 1699?\u003c\/strong\u003e No. Official 1699 facing coverage is BSA and Italian only. There is no T47 facing guide. Unior's T47 offering is the 1695.5 tap pair, which chases M47×1 threads; it is not a facing guide. Press-fit shells are a different system and do not use these threaded inserts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich insert goes in which side of the shell?\u003c\/strong\u003e On BSA, L and R mark thread direction, not frame side: non-drive side takes the right-hand insert (BSA-R); drive side takes the left-hand insert (BSA-L). On Italian, both inserts are right-hand. Official procedure puts the guide on the side opposite the face you are cutting, then repeats the sequence on the other side so both faces reference the same threaded bore.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Unior","offers":[{"title":"BSA","offer_id":34378807607340,"sku":"626470","price":37.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Italian","offer_id":34378807640108,"sku":"626469","price":37.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0012\/5786\/5260\/products\/1699.4bsa.jpg?v=1642720678"},{"product_id":"head-tube-reaming-and-facing-cutters-1694-1","title":"Head Tube Reaming and Facing Cutter - 1694.1","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe 1694 head tube reamer and facer does two operations in one pass: it reams the head tube bore to the headset cup diameter, and it faces the head tube ends square to that bore. Both operations happen on the cutter; the cutter is the single working face the headset cups will eventually press onto. The 1694.1 is the spare \/ replacement cutter, ordered when the original has worn through enough headset preps to need refreshing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat this piece does\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 1694.1 is a hardened-steel cutter head sized to 1 1\/8″ head tubes, machined with multiple cutting teeth around a bore-and-face geometry. Mounted on the 1694 reaming-and-facing tool body, the cutter sweeps the inner bore while simultaneously cutting the outer face square to that bore. The two surfaces come out machined to the same reference; that's the load-bearing geometric guarantee the headset bearings will live on for the life of the frame.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA workshop running the 1694 already owns this cutter as part of the bundle. The 1694.1 is the order placed when a busy production bench has chewed through the original cutter, when the cutter edge has rounded to where it produces chatter rather than clean cuts, or when a small set of build-side cutters lets a mechanic keep working while one set goes out for resharpening (depending on workshop policy).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1 1\/8″ head tube bores\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMounts on the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/headtube-reamer-and-facer-1694\"\u003eHeadtube Reamer and Facer 1694\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecs\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBore range: 1 1\/8″ head tubes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaterial: hardened steel, multiple cutting teeth\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFunction: combined ream-and-face cutter head for the 1694\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMade in Slovenia by Unior\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIncludes:\u003c\/strong\u003e One 1694.1 cutter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMade in Slovenia, since 1919\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnior has been forging hand tools in Zreče since 1919, and sponsors professional road and mountain-bike race teams. The 1694.1 cuts two surfaces with one set of teeth, which is the design move that makes the headset bearing seats come out coplanar. Two separate operations (separate bore cutter, separate face cutter) would risk small misalignment between bore and face; a single combined cutter eliminates the risk by reading the same setup for both cuts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePro tip from our mechanics\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCarbon head tubes change the rules. Carbon frames don't get faced; the layup is the reference surface, and cutting it removes structural material. The reaming pass, on the other hand, is sometimes the right call on a carbon frame: many carbon head tubes use bonded aluminum cups that can ship slightly out of round, and the 1694 with the 1694.1 cutter is the tool that brings the cup bore back to round. Steel and aluminum head tubes get the full ream-and-face treatment; carbon frames get reamed at the aluminum cups only, never faced.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChatter marks are the diagnostic that gets the 1694.1 swapped out. A sharp cutter leaves both the bore and the outer face smooth on the first pass; when chatter shows up on a head tube job that ran clean a month ago, the cutter has lost its working edge. Resharpening isn't a workshop operation for cutters at this geometry, so the chatter cue means order a replacement. Chip-shape on the swarf is the earlier signal that the same wear is coming, but chatter is the one that ends the cutter's working life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInside the broader build, the cutter's role is the bridge from a raw frame to a frame the headset can press into; the full sequence (when to ream, when to face, what to do with carbon, and what comes after) is in our Tech Tips: \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/tech-tips\/frame-prep-head-tube-and-crown-race\"\u003eFrame prep: head tube, crown race, and star nut work →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Unior","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":34378807672876,"sku":"617824","price":223.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0012\/5786\/5260\/products\/1694.1.jpg?v=1648784602"},{"product_id":"bottom-bracket-facing-cutter","title":"Bottom Bracket Facing Cutter - 1699.1","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe 1699.1 BB facing cutter is the working head of the 1699 facing tool. The cutter is what trims the face of the BB shell back to square; the frame, guide, and handle exist to hold this piece coaxial and feed it forward in a controlled way. Like any cutting tool, the 1699.1 is serviceable, replaceable, and the part of the assembly most likely to need refreshing first.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat this piece does\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 1699.1 is a premium plus carbon steel rotating cutter (officially Unior's bottom bracket reamer, Ø44 × 29 mm, 197 g) that mounts onto the 1699 facing tool frame and cuts a fine pass off each outer face of the BB shell. The cut is light by design; the goal is to bring the face flat, parallel to its opposite, and perpendicular to the bore, not to remove visible material. A correctly-set 1699 will produce a uniform metal ring around each face on the first pass, with the original anodize or paint visible nowhere on the cut surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA workshop running the 1699 system already owns this cutter as part of the bundle. The 1699.1 is the spare \/ replacement, ordered when the cutter starts producing chatter marks on the face, when the edge has worn enough that the cut is uneven, or when a kit comes back from a heavy production season and a cutter swap is the obvious refresh.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMounts on the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/frame-for-1699-bottom-bracket-facer-1699-2-4\"\u003eFrame for 1699 Bottom Bracket Facer 1699.2\/4\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePart of the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bottom-bracket-facing-tool-1699\"\u003eBottom Bracket Facing Tool 1699\u003c\/a\u003e bundle\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWorks with both BSA and Italian facing operations (official coverage is BSA and ITAL; the cutter is the same, the 1699.4BSA or 1699.4ITA guide is the piece that changes). The 1699 system has no T47 facing guide\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecs\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaterial: premium plus carbon steel (A 29 mm, D 44 mm, 197 g)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFunction: shell-face cutting head for the 1699 BB facing tool\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDrive: receives torque from the 1699.2\/4 frame via the modular handle\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMade in Slovenia by Unior; Unior lifetime warranty\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIncludes:\u003c\/strong\u003e One 1699.1 facing cutter (Ø44 × 29 mm, 197 g). The 1699.2\/4 frame, 1699.4BSA or 1699.4ITA guide, 1699.5\/4P wrench, and 1695\/4BI handle are sold separately; the five-piece 1699 set includes this cutter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMade in Slovenia, since 1919\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnior has been forging hand tools in Zreče since 1919, and sponsors professional road and mountain-bike race teams. The cutter's edge is the surface that determines what every BB cup the shell will ever accept clamps against. A cutter that rounds off in service produces stepped faces; a premium plus carbon steel cutter holding its edge produces faces that bearings sit square on. The 1699.1 is the replaceable edge of the 1699 system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePro tip from our mechanics\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnior's facing procedure installs the cutter on the 1699 holder, sets spring tension (too much vibrates, too little cuts unevenly), oils the reamer, and turns clockwise only. Repeat the sequence on the other face, with the guide in the opposite side of the shell.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOil the reamer before starting; failing to oil can damage the frame or the tool. Add cutting fluid often during the pass, especially on steel frames.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe full facing sequence for threaded shells is covered here: \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/tech-tips\/frame-prep-threaded-bottom-bracket-shells\"\u003eFrame prep: threaded bottom bracket shells →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the 1699.1 a complete facing tool, or just the cutter?\u003c\/strong\u003e Just the cutter. Officially it is Unior's 1699.1 bottom bracket reamer, the replaceable head that mounts on the 1699.2\/4 frame and is driven by the 1695\/4BI magnetic handle. The five-piece 1699 set already includes one; this listing is the spare.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes one 1699.1 cutter cover both BSA and Italian shells?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes. Official compatibility is BSA and ITAL. The cutter stays the same; the threaded guide is the piece that changes (1699.4BSA or 1699.4ITA). The 1699 system has no T47 facing guide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is the 1699.1 made of, and how big is it?\u003c\/strong\u003e Premium plus carbon steel. Official table: thickness A 29 mm, diameter D 44 mm, weight 197 g. Article 1699.1, SKU 617592, covered by Unior's lifetime warranty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhen should I replace the cutter, and what else do I need to face a shell?\u003c\/strong\u003e Order a spare when chatter marks appear or the cut is uneven. Facing also needs the 1699.2\/4 frame, a matching BSA or ITA guide, the 1699.5\/4P guide wrench, and the magnetic handle; those pieces ship together in the 1699 set. Oil the reamer before every pass.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Unior","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":34378808164396,"sku":"617592","price":146.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0012\/5786\/5260\/products\/1699.1.jpg?v=1642720605"},{"product_id":"frame-taps-1695","title":"Frame Taps M3","description":"\u003cp\u003eM3 threads are easy to ignore until one fails. On older horizontal-dropout frames, M3×0.5 holds the axle-positioning bolts that set the rear-wheel chainline. On a working frame, an M3 thread also shows up on cable guides, certain disc-brake adapter mounting holes, and the small hardware on internal-routing exit ports. A stripped M3 thread on any of these stops the job until the thread is restored.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 1695 Frame Tap M3 chases an existing M3×0.5 thread; it doesn't cut a new one. The cutting edges follow the pitch and major-diameter of the existing thread and remove only the paint, corrosion, or distortion that's blocking it. The result is a thread that takes a fresh bolt cleanly without losing the thread's geometry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhen to chase an M3 thread\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAfter paint overspray at the factory has filled the thread\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAfter crash damage has bent or distorted the thread profile\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAfter corrosion or seized-bolt residue has built up in the thread\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBefore installing new hardware in a frame that's been in storage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf the thread is genuinely stripped (the bolt has cut new threads into the surrounding metal), chasing won't fix it. The fix there is a thread insert or a Helicoil; different repair, different tool.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eUse with the magnetic handle\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 1695 Frame Tap pairs with our \u003ca href=\"\/products\/handle-for-pedal-taps\"\u003emagnetic Handle for Pedal Taps 1695\/4BI\u003c\/a\u003e for the leverage to cut cleanly without cross-threading. The magnetic-collet engagement holds the tap square to the work; a standard tap handle works too but the magnetic version stays put under hand-pressure on small-pitch threads.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecs\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eM3×0.5 chase tap\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHardened tool-steel cutting edges\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSquare-shank engagement, compatible with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/handle-for-pedal-taps\"\u003e1695\/4BI Handle for Pedal Taps\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eArticle number: 1695 (M3 size)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor the M5×0.8 size, see our \u003ca href=\"\/products\/frame-taps-m5\"\u003eM5 frame tap\u003c\/a\u003e. For the BSA bottom-bracket shell, see the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/set-of-adapters-and-taps-bsa\"\u003eBSA tap set\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBuilt in Zreče, Slovenia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnior has been forging hand tools in Zreče since 1919, and sponsors professional road and mountain-bike race teams. Thread taps are a general-machinist tool that Unior makes for the broader hand-tool catalog and adapts to bike-specific thread sizes for the cycling line. Same hardened tool-steel and same heat-treatment as the rest of the tap family.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePro tip from our mechanics\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe right time to chase a frame thread is the moment a new bolt feels gritty going in, not after it strips. Two minutes with the right-pitch tap before bolting in fresh hardware is the cheapest insurance against a stripped thread an hour later. Our \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/tech-tips\/workshop-hand-tools-every-bike-shop-needs\"\u003eworkshop hand tools guide\u003c\/a\u003e covers thread-chase and other workshop work that quietly saves cranks, frames, and customer trust: \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/tech-tips\/workshop-hand-tools-every-bike-shop-needs\"\u003eWorkshop hand tools every bike shop needs →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Unior","offers":[{"title":"M3","offer_id":34378814783532,"sku":"616077","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0012\/5786\/5260\/products\/1695.jpg?v=1642724925"},{"product_id":"bottom-bracket-tap-cutters-1697-1","title":"Bottom Bracket Tap Cutters BSA","description":"\u003cp\u003eA BSA BB tap is a serviceable item. The cutting teeth are what chase the thread, and after enough cuts they lose the sharp edge that lets them feed through a paint-fresh shell cleanly. The 1697.1 BSA cutters are the replacement pair, sized to the 1697 tap holder, so a shop that's wearing cutters on a busy bench can swap them in without buying a new complete tap set.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat this piece does\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 1697.1 BSA tap cutter set is the BSA-thread cutting end of the 1697 BB tap system. The pair comes in matched right-hand and left-hand cuts (R for non-drive, L for drive), with the same 1.37″ × 24 TPI BSA pitch as the original 1697 cutters. Mount them into the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bsa-bottom-bracket-tap-holder-1697-2-4\"\u003eBSA tap holders\u003c\/a\u003e, put the holders on the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/handle-for-modular-frame-prep-tools-1695-1-4bi\"\u003emodular handles\u003c\/a\u003e, and the system is ready for the next shell.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eUse cases\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReplacement.\u003c\/strong\u003e When the original 1697 cutters are dull beyond resharpening. The cutting teeth take the working load; once they round off, swarf comes off as chunks instead of ribbons, and that's the cue to swap.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConfigurable kit.\u003c\/strong\u003e If you already own a 1698 Italian tap system and need BSA capability, buying the BSA cutters and the BSA tap holders is enough to chase BSA threads with the same handles you already have. The modular pattern is designed for this kind of bench expansion.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBSA-threaded BB shells (1.37″ × 24 TPI)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFits the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bsa-bottom-bracket-tap-holder-1697-2-4\"\u003eBSA Bottom Bracket Tap Holder 1697.2\/4\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDrives through the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/handle-for-modular-frame-prep-tools-1695-1-4bi\"\u003emodular frame-prep handles 1695.1\/4BI\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecs\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThread: 1.3\/8 × 24 TPI (BSA); thickness 18 mm; pair weight 117 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePair: one right-hand cutter (non-drive), one left-hand cutter (drive)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMade in Slovenia by Unior from premium plus carbon steel, trivalent chrome plated; lifetime warranty\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIncludes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Right-hand BSA tap cutter, left-hand BSA tap cutter. Tap holders, the 1697.4 guide, and handles sold separately.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMade in Slovenia, since 1919\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnior has been forging hand tools in Zreče since 1919, and sponsors professional road and mountain-bike race teams. The taps themselves are the working face of the BB-prep system; everything else (holders, handles, frame) is structure. Selling them as a replaceable pair is the same logic that drives the rest of the modular frame-prep catalog.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePro tip from our mechanics\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePaint film is the first thing a fresh cutter pair eats through, and it's also the thing that takes a real bite out of cutting-edge life. On a heavily-painted shell, the first quarter-turn pass passes through paint, not metal; the cutter edge sees abrasive paint film, not the cleaner cut of bare thread. Keeping a worn-but-not-retired pair around for that first paint-clearing pass extends the life of the sharper replacement pair.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe mount-orientation safety check before each install: each tap is engraved 1697 R or 1697 L. R is the right-hand (non-drive) tap; L is the left-hand (drive) tap. A drive-side (left-hand thread) cutter mounted on the non-drive holder cuts in the wrong direction; it either won't bite or galls the shell threads. When a cutter starts producing chunky swarf instead of ribbons, it's done; sharpening BB tap cutters isn't a workshop operation, so order the replacement pair and rotate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe BSA-shell walk-through covers paint film, swarf morphology, and the dual-tap simultaneous-drive setup that keeps the cutters parallel through the shell: \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/tech-tips\/frame-prep-threaded-bottom-bracket-shells\"\u003eFrame prep: threaded bottom bracket shells →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this pair cut new BSA threads or only clean up existing ones?\u003c\/strong\u003e Unior describes the 1697 system as the tool for fixing bottom-bracket threads on the frame and for removing excess paint or dirt from those threads. Article 1697.1 is the left-and-right cutting pair that does that work. A chase will not rebuild a stripped shell; that repair is a thread insert or frame work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich bottom-bracket shells do these taps fit?\u003c\/strong\u003e BSA (English) threaded shells only: 1.3\/8 × 24 TPI, left-hand thread on the drive side and right-hand thread on the non-drive side. Italian-threaded shells (36 mm × 24 TPI) take the 1698.1 taps. Press-fit shells are a different standard and need different tooling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat else do I need besides this pair to chase a shell?\u003c\/strong\u003e These are the two taps only. They mount in the 1697.2\/4 BSA adapters and are driven by Unior's 1695\/4BI magnetic handle. The 1697.4 guide joins both taps through the shell. Adapters, guide, and handles are sold separately. The 1697.3 set bundles this pair with two adapters and the guide; 1697-US is the version that also ships the handles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do I tell the left tap from the right?\u003c\/strong\u003e Each tap is engraved 1697 L or 1697 R on the face. L is the left-hand (drive-side) tap; R is the right-hand (non-drive) tap. Mounting them on the opposite holders will not feed the thread.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Unior","offers":[{"title":"BSA","offer_id":34381850542124,"sku":"617310","price":225.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0012\/5786\/5260\/files\/dam-1697.1-photo.jpg?v=1786619650"},{"product_id":"1699-5-4p-wrench-for-bottom-bracket-facing-tool-guide-bsa-ita","title":"Wrench for Bottom Bracket Facing Tool Guide - 1699.5\/4P","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe 1699.5\/4P is the small flat-steel wrench that tightens the facing guides of the 1699 BB facing tool into the shell. It's a specific piece for a specific job: seating the threaded BSA or Italian guides flat against the BB shell face so the facing operation runs from a solid reference. Generic adjustable wrenches don't fit the guide flats cleanly; this one does.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat this piece does\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wrench engages the machined flats on the outside of the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bsa-bottom-bracket-facing-guide-1699-4bsa\"\u003eBSA facing guide\u003c\/a\u003e or the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bsa-bottom-bracket-facing-guide-1699-4bsa\"\u003eItalian facing guide\u003c\/a\u003e and transmits the torque needed to bottom the guide against the shell face. Two tightening passes are common on a fresh setup: hand-thread the guide until it bottoms gently, then quarter-turn with the 1699.5\/4P to seat the outer face flat against the shell face. Repeat on the second guide. Both guides should sit flat-and-square once the wrench is used; that flat seating is what the 1699 facing tool registers against.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wrench is sized only for the 1699 facing guides. It is not a general-purpose BB wrench; the flats it engages live specifically on the guide bodies of the 1699 BSA and Italian variants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/bsa-bottom-bracket-facing-guide-1699-4bsa\"\u003eBSA Bottom Bracket Facing Guide 1699\/4BSA\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/bsa-bottom-bracket-facing-guide-1699-4bsa\"\u003eItalian Bottom Bracket Facing Guide\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUsed as part of a complete \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bottom-bracket-facing-tool-1699\"\u003eBottom Bracket Facing Tool 1699\u003c\/a\u003e setup\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecs\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eType: small flat-steel wrench for facing-guide retention\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFunction: tightening BSA \/ Italian facing guides into the BB shell\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaterial: steel, flat profile sized to the guide flats\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMade in Slovenia by Unior\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIncludes:\u003c\/strong\u003e One 1699.5\/4P wrench.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMade in Slovenia, since 1919\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnior has been forging hand tools in Zreče since 1919, and sponsors professional road and mountain-bike race teams. A small wrench for a specific accessory is the kind of piece that makes the difference between a complete frame-prep kit and a kit that almost works. Reaching for an adjustable wrench, an offset crescent, or a small pliers to tighten the facing guide is how guide flats get rounded; once the flats round, the guide is harder to back out and harder to seat next time. The dedicated wrench is the cheapest insurance against that wear pattern.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePro tip from our mechanics\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eResist the temptation to over-torque the guide. The guide should seat flat-and-square against the shell face, but the threads holding it there don't need to be tightened past hand-snug plus a quarter-turn with the 1699.5\/4P. Over-torquing the guide doesn't make the facing operation cleaner; it does make the guide harder to back out cleanly after the facing pass is done, and on aluminum or thin-wall shells it can deform the shell face the guide is supposed to register against.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKeep the wrench in the 1699 facing kit, not in the general workshop drawer; it's small, easy to lose, and the only correct fit for the guide flats. A shop running both BSA and Italian facing operations uses the same wrench across both, so one wrench is enough for the whole 1699 system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe BB-prep pillar walks through the full sequence (chase, mount guide, face) with the wrench step framed in its role: \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/tech-tips\/frame-prep-threaded-bottom-bracket-shells\"\u003eFrame prep: threaded bottom bracket shells →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Unior","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39987750567980,"sku":"626471","price":3.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0012\/5786\/5260\/products\/1699.5_4p.png?v=1657902727"},{"product_id":"frame-taps-m5","title":"Frame Taps M5","description":"\u003cp\u003eM5×0.8 is the most common bicycle-frame thread. It holds bottle-cage bosses, the bolts on most stem clamp faces, certain water-bottle accessory mounts, and the M5 hardware on disc-brake adapter plates. When an M5 thread on a frame stops accepting a bolt cleanly, the fix is almost always a thread chase rather than a thread repair.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 1695 Frame Tap M5 chases an existing M5×0.8 thread without cutting new metal. The cutting edges follow the existing thread pitch and major diameter, removing paint overspray, corrosion, or burred-up material that's blocking the thread. A clean M5 thread takes a fresh bolt at hand-torque without grit; a chased thread restores that feel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhen to chase an M5 thread\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBefore installing or replacing bottle-cage hardware on a frame that's been painted, repainted, or stored damp\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAfter a stem-clamp bolt has been over-torqued past spec, distorting the thread profile (chase the female thread; replace the bolt)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBefore mounting a disc-brake adapter on a frame's M5 mounting holes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAfter corrosion in a damp-storage environment has built up in unused bottle-cage threads\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA chase is not a repair for stripped threads. If the thread is gone (the bolt cuts new threads into the surrounding alloy), the fix is a thread insert; the chase tap won't restore it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eUse with the magnetic handle\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 1695 Frame Tap pairs with our \u003ca href=\"\/products\/handle-for-pedal-taps\"\u003emagnetic Handle for Pedal Taps 1695\/4BI\u003c\/a\u003e. The magnetic-collet engagement holds the tap square to the work, which matters on M5×0.8 because the pitch is fine enough that a slight angle on the first turn cuts the thread off-axis.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecs\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eM5×0.8 chase tap\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHardened tool-steel cutting edges\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSquare-shank engagement, compatible with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/handle-for-pedal-taps\"\u003e1695\/4BI Handle for Pedal Taps\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eArticle number: 1695 (M5 size)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor the M3×0.5 size, see our \u003ca href=\"\/products\/frame-taps-1695\"\u003eM3 frame tap\u003c\/a\u003e. For the BSA bottom-bracket shell, see the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/set-of-adapters-and-taps-bsa\"\u003eBSA tap set\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBuilt in Zreče, Slovenia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnior has been forging hand tools in Zreče since 1919, and sponsors professional road and mountain-bike race teams. The 1695 tap family draws from Unior's broader machinist-tool catalog, which manufactures thread taps in dozens of pitch sizes for the industrial trade. The bicycle-frame subset is the selection that matters in a working bike shop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePro tip from our mechanics\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA bottle-cage boss that's seen years of damp storage is the most common M5 thread to need a chase. Two seconds with the tap before installing the cage saves the customer a returned bottle and the shop a callback. Our \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/tech-tips\/workshop-hand-tools-every-bike-shop-needs\"\u003eworkshop hand tools guide\u003c\/a\u003e covers the thread-chase workflow and the rest of the workshop hand-tool layer: \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/tech-tips\/workshop-hand-tools-every-bike-shop-needs\"\u003eWorkshop hand tools every bike shop needs →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Unior","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44140802736172,"sku":"616078","price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0012\/5786\/5260\/products\/1695.jpg?v=1642724925"},{"product_id":"bottom-bracket-tap-cutters-ita","title":"Bottom Bracket Tap Cutters ITA","description":"\u003cp\u003eItalian-threaded BB shells (36 × 24) live mostly on Italian heritage frames (Colnago, De Rosa, Bianchi, older Pinarello road frames) and on a small set of premium builds that adopted the standard for character reasons. The 1698.1 Italian tap cutters are the matched replacement \/ kit-conversion pair for chasing those threads cleanly. The cutting teeth are sized to M36 × 1.058 mm (24 TPI), and a single pair handles both sides of the shell.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat this piece does\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eItalian BB shells differ from BSA in one workflow-relevant way: both sides of the shell are right-hand thread. The non-drive and drive sides both back off counterclockwise from their respective ends; both taps turn the same way in. The 1698.1 Italian cutter pair is sized to that thread and goes into the Italian tap holders (1698.2\/4), which sit on the modular handles like the rest of the frame-prep family.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eUse cases\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReplacement.\u003c\/strong\u003e When an existing Italian cutter pair has lost its working edge. Italian shells are less commonly serviced than BSA in North American shops, so cutters tend to last longer per pair; still, on a busy Italian-specialist bench they wear like any other consumable cutting edge.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConfigurable kit.\u003c\/strong\u003e Pairing the Italian cutters with the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bottom-bracket-tap-holder-italian\"\u003eItalian tap holders 1698.2\/4\u003c\/a\u003e is the route into Italian BB service for a shop that already owns the BSA system. Same modular handles; only the cutters and holders change.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eItalian-threaded BB shells (M36 × 24 TPI, both sides right-hand)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFits the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bottom-bracket-tap-holder-italian\"\u003eItalian Bottom Bracket Tap Holder 1698.2\/4\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDrives through the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/handle-for-modular-frame-prep-tools-1695-1-4bi\"\u003emodular frame-prep handles 1695.1\/4BI\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecs\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThread: 36 × 24 TPI (Italian); fits the 70 mm Italian-standard shell\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePair: two right-hand cutters (both sides right-hand on an Italian shell); premium plus carbon steel; 18 mm cutter thickness; 122 g the pair\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMade in Slovenia by Unior; lifetime warranty\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIncludes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Two Italian thread tap cutters. Tap holders, the 1697.4 tap guide, and handles sold separately.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMade in Slovenia, since 1919\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnior has been forging hand tools in Zreče since 1919, and sponsors professional road and mountain-bike race teams. The Italian thread is a smaller fraction of the catalog's BB-prep volume than BSA, but a shop that services Italian heritage road frames needs the correct cutters regardless of frequency; carrying the variant is the difference between accepting that work and turning it away.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePro tip from our mechanics\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe both-sides-right-hand pattern is where mechanics trained on BSA most commonly misstep. There is no left-hand tap to worry about, and the muscle memory of “drive-side cuts counterclockwise from the drive side” does not apply. Both taps turn clockwise into the shell from their respective ends. If a mechanic is alternating between BSA and Italian work, slowing down to verify the thread standard on the frame before mounting cutters into holders saves a galled shell.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eItalian BB shells also tend to need less aggressive paint-film clearing than BSA on factory carbon frames; many Italian heritage frames are steel with thinner thread-protection paint than mass-produced carbon. Light cutting oil and slow rotation produce clean ribbons quickly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe full thread-chasing-then-facing procedure is in the BB shell pillar; the Italian thread runs the same sequence with the spec swap: \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/tech-tips\/frame-prep-threaded-bottom-bracket-shells\"\u003eFrame prep: threaded bottom bracket shells →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre both taps in this pair right-hand thread?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes. The Italian bottom bracket standard is 36 mm × 24 TPI with right-hand thread on both sides of the shell, so both 1698.1 taps cut right-hand and both turn clockwise in from their respective ends. That is the working difference from BSA, whose drive-side cup and tap are left-hand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I use these cutters on a BSA (English) shell?\u003c\/strong\u003e No. BSA shells run 1.37 in × 24 TPI with a left-hand drive side in 68, 73, or 83 mm widths; the Italian thread is a larger 36 mm diameter, right-hand on both sides, in a 70 mm shell. The BSA cutting pair is article 1697.1 — the two pairs are not interchangeable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich holders and handle do these cutters mount in?\u003c\/strong\u003e The 1698.1 pair seats in the Italian tap holders 1698.2\/4 and drives from Unior's 1695\/4BI magnetic frame-prep handle, with the 1697.4 guide joining the two taps through the shell. Holders, guide, and handles are sold separately; the 1698.3 set bundles this pair with two holders and the guide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do I know my frame has an Italian-threaded shell?\u003c\/strong\u003e Measure the shell width: the Italian standard is 70 mm, where BSA shells are 68, 73, or 83 mm (100 mm on fat bikes). Italian cups on both sides also unscrew counterclockwise, since both are right-hand thread. Italian threading lives mostly on Italian heritage road frames.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Unior","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44140828327980,"sku":"617590","price":222.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0012\/5786\/5260\/files\/dam-1698.1-photo.jpg?v=1787090939"},{"product_id":"bottom-bracket-tap-holder-italian","title":"Bottom Bracket Tap Holder Italian","description":"\u003cp\u003eFor Italian-threaded BB service, the 1698.2\/4 Italian tap holder is the structural link between the Italian-pitch cutters and the modular handle. Italian shells run 36 mm × 24 TPI with both sides right-hand thread; the holder is built to the same retention spec as its BSA sibling, but sized for the Italian cutter geometry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat this piece does\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Italian-pattern holder accepts an Italian-pitch tap cutter at the working end and the modular frame-prep handle at the drive end. A full Italian BB chasing operation needs two holders running simultaneously, one per side of the shell, with both cutters turning clockwise into the shell from their respective ends. The holder's job is to keep the cutter coaxial under load, transmitting the mechanic's torque cleanly into the thread chase without introducing angular slop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHolds \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bottom-bracket-tap-cutters-ita\"\u003eItalian-pitch tap cutters 1698.1\u003c\/a\u003e (36 mm × 24 TPI, paired)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCouples to the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/handle-for-modular-frame-prep-tools-1695-1-4bi\"\u003emodular frame-prep handle 1695.1\/4BI\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLives in the same modular family as the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bottom-bracket-facing-tool-1699\"\u003eBottom Bracket Facing Tool 1699\u003c\/a\u003e and the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/taps-t47\"\u003eTaps T47\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecs\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePattern: Italian thread, 36 mm × 24 TPI, right-hand on both sides (paired use, one holder per side of the shell)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCarries: one tap of the 1698.1 Italian pair (sold separately as a pair)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDrive: slot on top of the holder seats the 1695\/4BI magnetic handle for reamers and taps (sold here as 1695.1\/4BI)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMade in Slovenia by Unior; 75 mm long, 32 mm diameter, 243 g; lifetime warranty\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIncludes:\u003c\/strong\u003e One Italian tap holder. Italian cutters and handle sold separately; a complete chasing operation requires two of each.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMade in Slovenia, since 1919\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnior has been forging hand tools in Zreče since 1919, and sponsors professional road and mountain-bike race teams. Italian BB service is a smaller fraction of the workshop catalog than BSA, and the holder is the piece that makes the catalog cover both standards without making the bench twice as crowded; same handle, same modular pattern, only the cutter \/ holder pair changes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePro tip from our mechanics\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Italian holder is mechanically identical to its BSA sibling in the way it interfaces with the handle, which is exactly why it's easy to grab the wrong one on a multi-thread bench. Mark or shelve the Italian holders separately from the BSA holders; the cutter pitch only loads correctly into the matched holder, and mounting a BSA cutter into an Italian holder (or vice versa) is the kind of mistake that produces a galled cutter and a damaged shell before anyone notices.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe mechanical retention spec to watch on a holder in service is the same regardless of thread standard: if the cutter rocks visibly in the holder under finger pressure, the holder has lost its working fit. Inspect the holder-cutter retention each time the cutters come off, not just before the first install of the day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe direction-swap is the move to internalize when switching between BSA and Italian work; the BB-prep walk-through frames both standards side by side, so the mechanic can see the BSA mixed-direction layout next to the Italian both-RH layout in one place: \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/tech-tips\/frame-prep-threaded-bottom-bracket-shells\"\u003eFrame prep: threaded bottom bracket shells →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich taps fit this holder, Italian or BSA?\u003c\/strong\u003e Italian only. The 1698.2\/4 holder is engraved 1698 36x24 tpi ITAL and carries the Unior 1698.1 tap pair, which cuts the Italian 36 mm × 24 TPI thread, right-hand on both sides of the shell. The BSA pair 1697.1 belongs in the BSA holder 1697.2\/4, whose drive-side tap is left-hand. The two holders look alike, so read the engraving before loading a tap.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow many holders does a full Italian chase need?\u003c\/strong\u003e Two, one for each side of the shell, because the Italian procedure runs a tap into both ends. This listing is a single holder; Unior's 1698.3 set bundles two holders with the 1698.1 tap pair and the 1697.4 guide, so one holder here completes a set or replaces a lost one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does the holder attach to the handle?\u003c\/strong\u003e A slot on top of the holder seats Unior's 1695\/4BI magnetic handle for reamers and taps, listed on this store as the Handle for Modular Frame Prep Tools 1695.1\/4BI, so the tool assembles without fasteners. Unior's instruction sheet calls it the designated groove: drop the handle in, then turn. The T-handles of the complete 1698 tapping tool are not part of this holder.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat size is the holder, and does it need any care?\u003c\/strong\u003e It is 75 mm long, 32 mm in diameter, and weighs 243 g, with Unior's lifetime warranty. Oil the taps before you start cutting, since Unior warns that dry taps can damage the frame or the tool, then back the taps out one at a time, catch the shavings, and wipe the holder and taps down with a light oil to keep rust off.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Unior","offers":[{"title":"Italian","offer_id":44140834160684,"sku":"626466","price":26.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0012\/5786\/5260\/products\/1697.2_4.jpg?v=1642721523"},{"product_id":"bottom-bracket-tap-1697-bsa","title":"Bottom Bracket Tap 1697 BSA","description":"\u003cp\u003eBSA (1.37″ × 24 TPI) is the threaded BB standard our mechanics see most often on North American benches, and the 1697 is Unior's complete tap set for chasing it. Two thread directions live inside a BSA shell: right-hand on the non-drive side, left-hand on the drive side. Both have to cut cleanly before a cup torques in without binding. The 1697 ships as a paired chasing tool that runs both sides at once, so the drive-side and non-drive-side taps stay parallel through the shell.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat the tool does\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 1697 is the assembled BSA BB tap set: paired tap cutters in the correct thread directions, locked into a guide frame, driven by twin handles working simultaneously. Running both taps at the same time keeps them coaxial through the shell, which is the difference between threads that come out parallel-and-clean and threads that come out skewed enough to bind a cup at install.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRun the taps through the shell after the frame comes back from paint, after a frame swap, or any time you want to confirm the BSA threads are clean enough to torque cups in without binding. The taps don't cut new threads in unthreaded material; they chase existing threads, removing paint film, anodize buildup, and minor thread damage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBSA-threaded BB shells (1.37″ × 24 TPI)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAll steel, aluminum, and titanium BSA shells; carbon shells with threaded inserts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePairs with the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bottom-bracket-facing-tool-1699\"\u003eBottom Bracket Facing Tool 1699\u003c\/a\u003e for shell facing in the same setup\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecs\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThread: 1.37″ × 24 TPI (BSA)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePair: one right-hand tap (non-drive), one left-hand tap (drive)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDrive: twin handles, modular handle pattern shared with 1694, 1698, 1699, and Taps T47\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMade in Slovenia by Unior\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIncludes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Right-hand BSA tap cutter, left-hand BSA tap cutter, twin handles, guide frame.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMade in Slovenia, since 1919\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnior has been forging hand tools in Zreče since 1919, and sponsors professional road and mountain-bike race teams. BSA is the threaded standard that most Unior tool-purchase decisions land on for North American shops; the 1697 is the front-line tap set for the BB thread the bench sees first and most often.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePro tip from our mechanics\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCutting oil on each tap before it enters the shell is the cheap insurance against galling. Run both handles simultaneously, slow and steady, with both mechanics watching the swarf coming off; chunky chips mean the tap is dragging and you need more cutting oil and a quarter-turn reverse to break the chip. The swarf wants to come off as a continuous ribbon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThen there's the drive-side direction trap: BSA drive-side is left-hand thread, marked L on the tap, and it cuts when you turn it counterclockwise from the drive side. Forcing it the wrong direction on a paint-fresh frame is how taps get bent or shells get galled. Read the tap stamp before you reach for the handle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFull BSA-shell walk-through (chasing threads first, then facing the shell, with feed control and chip-pattern diagnostic): \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/tech-tips\/frame-prep-threaded-bottom-bracket-shells\"\u003eFrame prep: threaded bottom bracket shells →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Unior","offers":[{"title":"1697 BSA","offer_id":44140846317612,"sku":"626475","price":316.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0012\/5786\/5260\/products\/1697-us.jpg?v=1642720939"},{"product_id":"set-of-adapters-and-taps-bsa","title":"Set of Adapters and Taps BSA","description":"\u003cp\u003eBSA; British Standard Cycle; is the threaded bottom-bracket standard that's been in service on bicycles since the early twentieth century. The shell is 68 mm wide on most road and gravel frames (73 mm on most MTB), with threads of 1-3\/8\" × 24 TPI, right-hand thread on the non-drive side and left-hand thread on the drive side. When those threads go bad; paint overspray after a frame respray, corrosion after damp storage, contamination from a stuck BB cup; the chase tap restores them without cutting new metal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Set of Adapters and Taps BSA chases both the drive-side (left-hand thread) and the non-drive-side (right-hand thread) BSA threads. The set includes the two thread taps, two adapters that mate the taps to a standard tap handle, and the 1697.4 guide that joins the two taps through the shell. Use with our \u003ca href=\"\/products\/handle-for-pedal-taps\"\u003eHandle for Pedal Taps 1695\/4BI\u003c\/a\u003e for the leverage and alignment a BSA shell chase requires.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhen to use the BSA chase\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA frame that's been resprayed, where paint overspray has filled the BB shell threads\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA frame that's been stored damp for a winter, where corrosion has built up in unused threads\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA frame where the previous BB has been seized in place and left thread distortion when it was finally removed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA new frame from a smaller manufacturer where the threads weren't cleaned at the factory\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe chase removes only paint, corrosion, and burred metal. It does NOT cut new threads. If the BSA shell's threads are genuinely stripped (the BB cup is cutting new threads into the alloy), the fix is a thread insert or; in some cases; a frame retirement. The chase tap is the cleanup tool, not the repair tool.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePair with the right handle\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe BSA chase taps engage the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/handle-for-pedal-taps\"\u003e1695\/4BI handle\u003c\/a\u003e via the standard square-shank interface. The handle's magnetic-collet grip holds the tap perpendicular to the shell face throughout the cut, which matters because BSA's thread pitch is fine enough that an off-axis chase cuts the thread out of round.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat's in the set\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTwo BSA thread chase taps (left-hand drive-side, right-hand non-drive-side)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTwo adapters that connect the taps to the magnetic handle, plus the 1697.4 tap guide that joins the two taps through the shell\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecs\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThread: 1-3\/8\" × 24 TPI (BSA standard)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSides: left-hand drive (1.3\/8\" L) + right-hand non-drive (1.3\/8\" R)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompatible with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/handle-for-pedal-taps\"\u003e1695\/4BI Handle for Pedal Taps\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eArticle number: 1697.3 (code 626487); set weight 856 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBuilt in Zreče, Slovenia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnior has been forging hand tools in Zreče since 1919, and sponsors professional road and mountain-bike race teams. The BSA chase tap set is part of Unior's bicycle-specific thread-tool catalog (alongside the pedal-thread and frame-thread chase tools). The thread profiles are sized to Unior's machinist-tool specifications, which differ from generic hardware-store taps; a workshop-grade tap cuts the thread profile to a tighter tolerance, which is what gives the chased thread its clean feel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePro tip from our mechanics\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe single best test of whether a BSA shell needs a chase: thread the BB cup in by hand. A clean BSA accepts the cup smoothly to the bottom; a contaminated one stops or feels gritty. Spend the 30 seconds chasing the thread before you force the cup. Our \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/tech-tips\/workshop-hand-tools-every-bike-shop-needs\"\u003eworkshop hand tools guide\u003c\/a\u003e covers thread-chase work and the rest of the workshop hand-tool layer: \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/tech-tips\/workshop-hand-tools-every-bike-shop-needs\"\u003eWorkshop hand tools every bike shop needs →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this set cut new threads or only clean up existing ones?\u003c\/strong\u003e It chases the existing BSA threads. The left and right 1.370\" x 24 TPI taps clear paint overspray, corrosion, and contamination from a fouled shell so cups thread in smoothly again. If the shell's threads are genuinely stripped, a chase cannot rebuild them; that repair is a thread insert or frame work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich bottom bracket shells does it fit?\u003c\/strong\u003e BSA (English) threaded shells only: 1.370\" x 24 TPI, left-hand thread on the drive side and right-hand thread on the non-drive side. Italian-threaded shells (36 mm x 24 TPI) and press-fit shells use different standards and need different tooling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need a separate handle to drive the taps?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes. The 1697.3 set contains the taps, two adapters, and the tap guide, but no handles. The adapters mate the taps to Unior's 1695\/4BI magnetic handle for reamers and taps, sold separately. Unior's 1697-US is the version of this tool that ships with two handles included.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat exactly is included, and can I buy the parts separately?\u003c\/strong\u003e Four pieces: the left and right BSA taps (article 1697.1), two adapters (1697.2\/4), and the guide for taps (1697.4) that joins the two taps through the shell. All three articles are also available individually as spare parts, so a worn tap does not mean replacing the whole set.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Unior USA","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44349187457068,"sku":"626487","price":249.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0012\/5786\/5260\/files\/1697.3_626487_image_1024-Square.jpg?v=1747218525"},{"product_id":"master-bench-tray-3-frame-preparation-tools","title":"Master Bench Tray #3 - Frame preparation tools","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe frame-preparation tray from Unior's SOS bench-tray system — the facing, reaming and thread-prep tools for new-frame and overhaul work, held in laser-cut foam where every tool has its own cut silhouette.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow the SOS tray works\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach silhouette is cut to size in-house at Unior's Slovenia facility and printed with the tool's shape, so the drawer audits itself: a gap in the foam shows the moment a tool is out. The foam shell measures 564 × 364 × 30 mm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it fits\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tray is sized for the 990WD7 wide tool chest and the 2600-series Unior workbenches it integrates into, dropping straight into the bench-integrated drawer slot. The empty foam shell can be ordered separately for re-fitting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrame preparation is precision work — facing a head tube or bottom-bracket shell square, chasing threads true — and keeping the tools laid out in order keeps that work fast and repeatable. See the product photo for the current tool layout.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Unior USA","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44790856384556,"sku":"628651","price":1126.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0012\/5786\/5260\/files\/set3-2600c-us_23628651_23image_1024.jpg?v=1781733898"},{"product_id":"set-of-adapters-and-taps-ital","title":"Set of adapters and taps ITAL","description":"\u003cp\u003eA tap, adapter, and guide set for Italian-thread bottom bracket shells (36 mm × 24 TPI, right-hand thread on both sides). The dedicated thread-chasing tool for the Italian-spec BB shell pattern that ships on Bianchi, Pinarello, Colnago, and other Italian frame builders; and on a handful of frames from other regions that have chosen the Italian thread specifically.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA new frame's BB shell may not arrive at the workshop with threads cut perfectly to spec. Burrs, paint overspray inside the threads, and minor thread-form irregularities can prevent a BB cup from threading in cleanly; or worse, cross-thread on installation and damage both the shell and the cup. A tap-and-chase pass clears the threads to factory spec before the BB cup goes in, which means the cup threads cleanly and the BB sits square in the shell.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat's in the set\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe set covers the Italian-thread BB tap workflow:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eItalian taps (1698.1):\u003c\/strong\u003e threaded to 36 mm × 24 TPI right-hand thread (Italian spec). Drives into the shell from the shell's open end to clear and re-cut the existing threads.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eItalian adapter:\u003c\/strong\u003e lets the tap thread into Unior's 1695\/4BI magnetic handle (sold separately), plus the 1697.4 guide that joins the two taps through the shell.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe English-thread (BSA) version of the same workflow is covered by the separate 1697 tap set (English thread is 1.37 inch × 24 TPI with left-hand-thread on the drive side and right-hand on the non-drive side; the Italian set's right-hand-on-both spec is the meaningful difference).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eItalian-thread BB shells: 36 mm × 24 TPI, right-hand thread both sides\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrame builders: Bianchi, Pinarello, Colnago, Cinelli, De Rosa, and other Italian builders; some non-Italian frames specifying Italian thread\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNot for: BSA (English-thread) BB shells, T47 BB shells, pressfit BB shells, or BSA30 oversized shells\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecs\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eItalian-thread tap, 36 mm × 24 TPI right-hand\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eItalian-thread adapter for tap-handle compatibility\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSet weight: 597 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eArticle number: 1698.3 (code 626486)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNote:\u003c\/strong\u003e the magnetic handle (1695\/4BI) is sold separately; this set is the taps, adapters, and guide, not the complete tap-and-handle kit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBuilt in Zreče, Slovenia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnior has been forging hand tools in Zreče since 1919, and sponsors professional road and mountain-bike race teams. The frame-prep tool line covers the standard BB thread patterns (BSA, Italian, T47), facing cutters for headset cups and disc-mount tabs, and the tap-handles that drive them. The Italian thread set is the variant for the European frame heritage that runs counter to the BSA-dominant US and Japanese frame patterns.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePro tip from our mechanics\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTap the shell, don't cut new threads into it. The thread chase is a re-cutting pass through existing threads, not a thread-creation operation. Cutting fluid (or a light cutting oil) on the tap helps the cut, and turning the tap quarter-turn forward then quarter-turn back clears the chips out of the flutes. Trying to cut fresh thread into an unthreaded shell with a chase tap will either bind the tap or cut off-axis; that's a tap-and-die operation, not a chase.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor the broader picture on BB shell preparation, including when a tap pass earns its time: \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/tech-tips\/frame-prep-threaded-bottom-bracket-shells\"\u003eFrame Prep: Threaded Bottom Bracket Shells →\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this set cut new threads or only clean up existing ones?\u003c\/strong\u003e It chases the existing Italian threads. The 36 mm x 24 TPI taps clear paint overspray, corrosion, and contamination from a fouled shell so cups thread in smoothly again. If the shell's threads are genuinely stripped, a chase cannot rebuild them; that repair is a thread insert or frame work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich bottom bracket shells does it fit?\u003c\/strong\u003e Italian-threaded shells only: 36 mm x 24 TPI, 70 mm shell width, right-hand thread on both cups. BSA (English) shells are 1.370 inch x 24 TPI with a left-hand drive-side cup and need the 1697.3 set instead. Press-fit and T47 shells are different standards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need a separate handle to drive the taps?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes. The 1698.3 set contains the taps, two adapters, and the tap guide, but no handles. The adapters mate the taps to Unior's 1695\/4BI magnetic handle for reamers and taps, sold separately.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat exactly is included, and can I buy the parts separately?\u003c\/strong\u003e Four pieces: the left and right Italian taps (article 1698.1), two adapters (1698.2\/4), and the guide for taps (1697.4) that joins the two taps through the shell. All three articles are also sold individually, so a worn tap does not mean replacing the whole set.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Unior USA","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44830198431788,"sku":"626486","price":249.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0012\/5786\/5260\/files\/italset_819f40b5-2d7f-4744-a1f3-616783536aaf.jpg?v=1762175954"},{"product_id":"guide-for-taps-1697-1-and-1698-1","title":"Guide for taps 1697.1 and 1698.1","description":"\u003cp\u003eGuide for taps 1697.1 and 1698.1\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Unior USA","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45115463041068,"sku":"627325","price":47.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0012\/5786\/5260\/files\/guide-for-taps-1697-4-627325.jpg?v=1785014866"},{"product_id":"taps-t47","title":"Taps T47","description":"\u003cp\u003eT47 is the newest threaded BB standard in wide use. Chris King helped develop the spec: a 47 mm thread diameter, 1.0 mm pitch, right-hand on the non-drive side and left-hand on the drive side. Trek adopted it as T47i (internal bearing) on a generation of high-end road and gravel bikes, and an asymmetric variant, T47a, uses a different cup arrangement again. The standard solves two problems at once: wider shell for larger spindle diameters, and threaded engagement so it can't develop the creak of a press-fit shell. The Taps T47 chase the M47×1 threads in those shells the same way the 1697 and 1698 chase BSA and Italian threads in their respective shells.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat the tool does\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe taps are a matched pair: a right-hand tap for the non-drive side, a left-hand tap for the drive side. Run them through the shell threads after the frame comes back from paint, after a frame swap, or any time you want to confirm the threads are clean enough to torque a cup into without binding. The tap doesn't cut new threads in unthreaded material; it chases existing threads, removing paint film, anodize buildup, and minor thread damage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe taps are compatible with Unior's existing BB tap holders: the 1697 BSA-pattern handle and the 1698 Italian-pattern handle. Same modular frame-prep series as the BB Facing Tool 1699 and the Head Tube Reamer 1694; one handle drives the whole kit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eT47 shells (M47 × 1.0 mm thread)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAll current T47 metal shells (Trek T47i, T47a, Chris King T47 cups)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCarbon T47 shells with metal threaded inserts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePair with Unior tap holders 1697 (BSA-pattern handle) and 1698 (Italian-pattern handle)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecs\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThread: M47 × 1 (LH \/ RH); article 1695.5; pair weight 267 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePair: one right-hand tap (non-drive), one left-hand tap (drive)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaterial: durable tool steel for long service life\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompatible with Unior 1697 and 1698 bottom-bracket tapping tools\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMade in Slovenia by Unior\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIncludes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Right-hand tap, left-hand tap. Tap holder (1697 or 1698) sold separately.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMade in Slovenia, since 1919\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnior has been forging hand tools in Zreče since 1919, and sponsors professional road and mountain-bike race teams. T47 is a younger standard than most of the BB shells the Unior catalog services; the T47 taps are the catalog's response to Chris King's standard becoming a real production fitment. The shared-handle decision means a shop adding T47 service to its bench doesn't add another full toolkit; it adds two taps.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePro tip from our mechanics\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlways use cutting oil. The thread is finer than BSA's 24 TPI, and a dry tap on T47 threads will gall and lift small chips into the shell, which then bind the cup install. A drop of cutting oil on each tap before it enters the shell is the cheap insurance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you're chasing T47 threads on a frame coming back from paint, run the tap until the thread cuts cleanly; meaning the swarf coming off is a smooth ribbon, not chunks. Stop, reverse a quarter-turn to break the chip, then continue. Force always produces worse results than patience here.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe BSA-shell walk-through (chasing threads, facing the shell, feed control) is the T47 cousin in our Tech Tips library; same procedure, different thread spec: \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/tech-tips\/frame-prep-threaded-bottom-bracket-shells\"\u003eFrame prep: threaded bottom bracket shells →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes article 1695.5 cut new T47 threads or only restore existing ones?\u003c\/strong\u003e Unior designed these taps for chasing and restoring existing T47 threads, and for cleaning and restoring existing threads in T47 bottom-bracket shells. A chase will not cut a new thread in unthreaded material and will not rebuild a stripped shell.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich bottom-bracket shells do the T47 taps fit?\u003c\/strong\u003e All T47 metal bottom-bracket shells. The pair is precision-machined M47 × 1, with left-hand and right-hand taps included. Official table: M47x1 - LH \/ RH (T47). BSA shells take the 1697.1 taps; Italian-threaded shells take the 1698.1 taps.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat else do I need besides this pair to chase a T47 shell?\u003c\/strong\u003e These are the two taps only. Unior lists them as compatible with current and previous generations of Unior bottom-bracket tapping tools 1697 and 1698, which are sold separately. Always use cutting oil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow are the left-hand and right-hand T47 taps marked?\u003c\/strong\u003e Each tap is engraved M47x1-LH or M47x1-RH, plus T47 and article 1695.5. Official Unior copy does not assign those marks to the drive or non-drive side of the bike; match the engraving to the cup thread you are chasing.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Unior USA","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45406585192492,"sku":"629771","price":179.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0012\/5786\/5260\/files\/1695.5_629771_image_1024.jpg?v=1775053228"}],"url":"https:\/\/uniorusa.com\/collections\/thread-repair-and-facing-tools.oembed","provider":"Unior USA","version":"1.0","type":"link"}