Re: Speed of Tapping Head? - tap styles

<snip>

>
> Personally, I'll never buy another hand tap. Spiral point
> taps are stronger and much easier to use. Spiral flute taps
> aren't as strong, so I only use them for blind holes, but
> they still beat hand taps.

Gun taps, two flutes and with the spiral point are strong, fast and
work really well. I too would never buy a hand tap unless that was
the last one in my size.

All the machine taps I have used by hand have always left me with a
good taped hole.

Spiral flute are much weaker and are typicaly used on softer
materials like Aluminum. but for aluminum I use self forming taps.
Makes a better hole, burnishes the inside so the threads are not as
soft, and does not leave any chips. And they are available in bottom
tap, so you can tap deeper on a hole without pulling out to remove
chips.

Dave