A tool for extracting threaded inserts from threaded holes. The tool includes a drive shaft and one or more blades extending from the drive shaft at its insertion end. Upon insertion of the tool into a hole containing a threaded insert, the blades cut grooves into the top coil of the insert. The tool is configured such that the blades have an outer radius greater than the inner radius of the threaded insert but less than the inner radius of the parent threads. By rotating the tool, the user may then exert pressure against the sides of these grooves and rotate the insert out of the hole. In a preferred embodiment, the tool also includes a guide shaft at the insertion end of the tool, for aligning the tool in the hole and reducing the risk of contact between a blade and the parent threads. The engagement end of the drive shaft, located opposite the insertion end, may be configured to engage a drive mechanism.

A method and apparatus for establishing a precisely predetermined location relative to a surface. A reforming tool has a main body, tapered portion, a shank and a tip having a point. The reforming tool is attached to a base having provision for rotating and reciprocating the reforming tool. According to the method of the present invention, the reforming tool is used to burnish an annular seat in a surface, an aperture coaxial with the annular seat, and an annular flange about the aperture. The location of the annular seat is precisely predetermined. The apparatus includes a button having a flat surface at one end and a part spherical surface at the other end that is received by the annular seat so that the part spherical surface rests on the annular seat. The button end having the flat surface then defines the precisely predetermined location, particularly an attachment location for a body panel onto a surface of a frame member. A threaded fastener then inserts through an aperture in the body panel an a central bore in the button, and screws into the annular flange, thereby securing the body panel to the frame member. When the frame member must be reformed at a plurality of locations, a plurality of reforming tools are used, each reforming tool being attached to a base at a predetermined location. Movement of the base relative to the inner body frame structure will thereupon cause each of the tools to burnish the surface of the frame member as hereinabove described.

An apparatus useful for forming in a curved surface, an enlarged hole surrounded by an upturned flange whose unattached edge lies substantially in a common plane, uses a drill rod, a set of bits, and a mechanism for forming an upturned flange. A first bit attached to the lower end of the rod forms an initial hole. A second bit, spaced axially along the rod, forms a widened oval hole with tapered sides upon continued axial and rotary movement of the rod relative to the workpiece. A flange forming mechanism is then extended beneath the edge region of the hole and pulled through the hole while rotating, to form the upturned flange. A third bit mounted peripherally with respect to the second bit is used to smooth and level the flange edge and to provide it with a desired shape.

A flow drilling tool including a blunt-ended prepunch portion for punching a circular slug from the workpiece as the tool is rotated and moved axially with respect to the workpiece. Thereafter, a circular forming portion is rotated in contact with the workpiece to increase the length and diameter of the punched hole. The prepunch permits formation of a rimmed hole in a single step by eliminating predrilling. Variations and irregularities in the length and thickness of the rim portion surrounding the hole are reduced, and ragged tapered surfaces on the rim portion are eliminated. The axial location of the hole relative to the workpiece is controlled by adjusting the speed of rotation of the tool and the axial pressure of the tool against the workpiece, and by preheating the workpiece.

Tanks, such as air tanks and other compressed gas tanks as well as fuel tanks, have bushings formed by flowdrilling holes in the tanks after the tanks have been configured in substantially their final shape. The bushings are of the same material and unitary with the tank walls and have smooth bores which receive push-to-connect couplings. The push-to-connect couplings have at least two annular barbs which engage the walls of the bushings with an interference fit so as to prevent withdrawal of the push-to-connect couplings. The push-to-connect couplings are sealed with O-rings disposed between the barbs. The depth of insertion is determined by an annular flange on an outer collar of the push-to-connect coupling which engages the outside surface of an outer rim of the bushing.