Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: General Tool Life Question

Hi GM4T:
This is all WAY too complicated!!
Tapping is not the frightfully scary thing that you're making it sound like.
I can tap a 1/4:20 thread, 3/4" deep in stainless in a couple of minutes at
most.
You need a couple of things:
First, the right sized hole.
Second, a good quality tap in good condition.
Third, the correct cutting fluid.
Fourth, a straight start.
Last, some ability to feel the cut.

As a toolmaker, I have to tap hundreds of holes every month, often in hard
steels.
If I turned it into this level of complexity, I'd never get anywhere.
Taps are a LOT stronger than you think; they just don't like to be bent
sideways.
Cheers

Marcus

----- Original Message -----
From: gm4t <gm4ta@...>
To: <CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2002 9:57 AM
Subject: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] 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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> > >
> > >
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