C Craft
Well-Known Member
I have this same thread on another forum so some of you will recognize it from there. I sure could use some advice.
I am in the process of building a 2x72 clone for grinding blades. I decided to tap the 1/2"thick side plates that make up the tube for the tooling arm for 10-24 flat head machine screws. In retrospect maybe I should have went to a larger diameter.
I am sure I am using the right size drill bit as I originally bought the titanium nitrate coated bit and tap combinations from Lowes, to work with. I think I am have broken number 4 of them and 2 plain high carbon steel 10-24 taps from Irwin. They were all what is called a plug tap.
I am doing a deep tap of approx 3/4" depth in what is suppose to be 1018. I am using plenty of oil and keeping a straight pressure on the tap. I am only turning a 1/3 to 1/2 turn on the tap before backing up to clear the burrs and reoiling and then another 1/3 to 1/2 turn, and repeat.
The funny part of this is the first side I did I only broke one tap and I think I let that one get a sideways pressure causing it to break. I ordered this metal from a company and it cut to length to speed up the construction of my grinder. They supply flat bar in 1018 and A-36. I suspect that this may be a piece of A-36 that was sent by accident or deliberately to finish out an order. I am getting maybe 1/4” + or – into the metal before I usually snap a tap.
Ok now you have all the same info that I have on this subject I am looking for suggestions here!! I am determined to finish this project as I originally started it. I only have about 8 more holes to tap! If I don’t go broke buying taps that is!!!!
Am I using the wrong style of tap for deep treading?
Is a titanium tap superior to the plain steel tap?
What do I do to minimize breaking the taps that I not already doing?
Any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated, maybe some of the machinists we have on this site would care to comment!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am in the process of building a 2x72 clone for grinding blades. I decided to tap the 1/2"thick side plates that make up the tube for the tooling arm for 10-24 flat head machine screws. In retrospect maybe I should have went to a larger diameter.
I am sure I am using the right size drill bit as I originally bought the titanium nitrate coated bit and tap combinations from Lowes, to work with. I think I am have broken number 4 of them and 2 plain high carbon steel 10-24 taps from Irwin. They were all what is called a plug tap.
I am doing a deep tap of approx 3/4" depth in what is suppose to be 1018. I am using plenty of oil and keeping a straight pressure on the tap. I am only turning a 1/3 to 1/2 turn on the tap before backing up to clear the burrs and reoiling and then another 1/3 to 1/2 turn, and repeat.
The funny part of this is the first side I did I only broke one tap and I think I let that one get a sideways pressure causing it to break. I ordered this metal from a company and it cut to length to speed up the construction of my grinder. They supply flat bar in 1018 and A-36. I suspect that this may be a piece of A-36 that was sent by accident or deliberately to finish out an order. I am getting maybe 1/4” + or – into the metal before I usually snap a tap.
Ok now you have all the same info that I have on this subject I am looking for suggestions here!! I am determined to finish this project as I originally started it. I only have about 8 more holes to tap! If I don’t go broke buying taps that is!!!!
Am I using the wrong style of tap for deep treading?
Is a titanium tap superior to the plain steel tap?
What do I do to minimize breaking the taps that I not already doing?
Any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated, maybe some of the machinists we have on this site would care to comment!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!