Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: General Tool Life Question

In a message dated 16-Jan-02 11:06:32 Central Standard Time,
gm4ta@... writes:

> 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.

Yes, but one must always remember, different tools are made for SPECIFIC
different purposes, and use on the "wrong" thing is usually a sad and sudden
wasteful surprise! Carbide ANYTHING is very expensive! A tap that may cost
$2.00 in HSS will probably be $25.00 in carbide! The carbide is very, very,
very brittle! It is very hard, true, but NOT very "sturdy". Good for
tapping unusually hard stuff, but only with "tapping equipment" such as, at
least, a good Tapmatic attachment. And, with the torque-settings on that set
unusually low, and LOTS of "back-up" for chip-breaking/clearance. And
tapping-fluid SPECIFIC for the metal being tapped! Yep, you use a DIFFERENT
fluid for aluminum than the one for steel and brass! And you MUST use the
fluid (except if tapping wood! LOL)

Whew! I bought a Tapmatic (the size up to 1/4-20 --- I forget the "Model
Nr." right now) about 1979 for $110. NOW, the same unit is over $400!!!
Time moves on...

Jan Rowland


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