RE: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Tap burning EDM? Need it Quick and Dirty ;-)

> From: Jerry Kimberlin [mailto:kimberln@...]
>
> jmkasunich wrote:
>
> > It seems that anything simple that I can come up with will
> > require manual electrode feed. Is it practical to use
> > manual feed to burn out about 3/8" of a #8 tap? Or is slow,
> > smooth advance of the electrode too difficult to do?
>
> I don't think you could do it easily by hand in this lifetime
> :-). A more practical way might be to use a hand held vibratory
> engraving tool with an insulater chucked in it that can hold the
> electrode. Most of the big tap burners (and some small ones) are
> just a vibration device that sits there and jiggles. In your
> one-off tribulation, you could hand feed that into the tap. You
> could duct tape the engraving tool to a rod chucked into your
> drill press to hold it all steady. Kind of rube goldberg but it
> should work once and hopefully you'll not break another tap :-).
>
> JerryK

Would it work to use a solenoid or relay coil with the electrode attached to
the armature and feed the coil through the electrode? Contact would engage
the coil pulling the electrode away, breaking the connection which would
cause the electrode to drop making connection, etc. etc. With perhaps a
light-bulb ballast ...

All you'd have to do is feed slowly listening to the sound of the mechanism
to adjust for maximum cutting rate.

I may try this next time I get into a jamb ...

Cheers,

Chuck Hackett
Omaha, Nebraska, USA
7.5" gauge UP Northern 844