Re: General Tool Life Question

I actually am using one tap for each hole size. I wouldn't want to
buy too many taps because this is a one-time project and I wouldn't
need them anywhere else. When I tap the holes I do it very slowly and
very little at a time using a plug type tap. I turn a very small
amount, maybe like 1 degree or more before backing it out. Which is
why it takes so long for me to tap one hole. But time isn't a
priority for me. It took more than an hour to tap a 1/4-20 thread for
3/4". I use a lot of cutting fluid on it and the chips drip off in a
clump.

-GM4T

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., "Ian Wright" <Ian@i...> wrote:
> Hi,
>
> Just another thought - are you using just one tap for each size of
hole - if
> so you shouldn't be. When you are hand tapping you should use a
taoper tap
> first followed by a second cut tap and, if necessary in a blind
hole, a plug
> or finishing tap. If you try to take the threads to full depth in
one go
> with a second or plug tap, you are asking for trouble - like the
trouble
> involved in trying to get a broken tap out of the hole. Not to be
> recommended! The other thing you need is a suitable tapping
compound - over
> here we have one called Trefolex but I think you can also get one
called
> TapRite? These take a lot of the load off the tap and make cutting
a lot
> easier.
> I don't know what make they are but we have a company called Tracy
Tools in
> Dartmouth UK who sell a wide range of American made taps in both
Carbon and
> High Speed steel at very reasonable prices but I tend to get most
of mine
> from boot sales where I expect to pay just 1 - 2UKP ($1.50-$3) for
a set of
> three HSS taps.
>
> Ian
> --
> Ian W. Wright
> Sheffield UK
> www.iw63.freeserve.co.uk
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "gm4t" <gm4ta@i...>
> To: <CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y...>
> Sent: 16 January 2002 17:01
> Subject: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: General Tool Life Question
>
>
> > Its good to hear that my tap will last me for my project. My
project
> > is going to use approx 50 holes of various sizes from 4-40 to 1/4-
20,
> > but mostly 6-32. I did break the 6-32 on my first try because that
> > was my first time tapping a hole. But I quickly re-read the posts
> > here about tapping and it went smoothly on my later tries. I
broke it
> > because I did not back up enough after each small drive. I was
> > wondering if the taps could last me all those holes required in my
> > project. I will be hand tapping them all.
> >
> > My taps and die are the Hanson brand. They do make HSS taps and
dies
> > but I could only find high carbon steel ones at Home Depot. I
> > searched the internet and found that taps are even made out of
> > tungsten-carbide! I heard this is the hardest man-made material,
just
> > second to diamond when it comes to hardness.
> >
> > -GM4T
> >
> >
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