Re: Thread milling

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, R Rogers <rogersmach@y...>
wrote:

> Taps are ground in a helix. So, using a standard hand tap for a

thread mill would not work very well. The commercially available
cutters break easily and dull quickly. And going deep with a 60
degree thread mill is also a problem because the shanks are
generally very short. Taps are the best way to go. A tapping head
will make threads 1" deep in 2 seconds, thats in and out of the
hole. Of course for large diameters and one not wanting to invest in
seldomly used large taps, thread milling would be best. As far as
programming a thread mill its just determine the diameter with
tooling offset then program a circle and add a Z- in the string
corresponding to the pitch lead. Just repeat circle and increase the
Z- value consecutively.

>
> Ron

If you remove all but one set of teeth and grind a relief then the
material only sees the cross-section of the tap, the helix makes no
difference (as it no longer has one).

-------

Thanks "Metalmuncher" for confirmation that this works. As a user
of a router rather than a mill i can only use max 8mm shank tooling
so this method could be very useful. Plus I would like to try it.

Graham