Best Tap?
I need to get a high quality tap.
What should I be looking for. The taps from HD or Lowes are crap and break suddenly when they should not.
I am working on a Wokgard 15 and tapping a 10-24 hole for the bolt that holds the grip. I bought a Kobalt (brand name) tap and the damn thing snapped off threading aluminum.
So I need the best tap out there what do you recommend. I can order from Grainger.com and pick it up locally but I need to know what metal it should be made of.
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i would say you couldn’t get a very good feel for the amount of pressure you are using with that tool. are you using the handles to turn it, that would give you allot of force on the small tap size.
i think if i were using that tool i would want to hold it in the center of the pivot and turn by hand with the small tap sizes.
Also are you running the tap in and out to clean off , or are you running it home without reversing to clean and lube.
like eddervine said lighter lube migh be better, thats why i use wd- 40 , when i back off and give it a squirt it washes away chips also.
Nice set up!!!!
Alignment is good. I am using a this. I am using a tapping compound that is kind of like bees wax.
that’s what i was going to say about alignment , use good lube take your time and make sure the pilot hole is correct size.
i am bad about getting in a hurry. i use wd -40 for lube.
WOK,
Though I am not an expert by any means, threading in aluminum can cause problems.
It is gummy, sticky, and stringy.
For hand tapping blind holes get an OSG three-fluted spiral flute tap. Make sure it is not coated with anything that has “Al” in it. The spiral flutes will make a nice long stringy chip that will come out of the hole towards your handle.
If you are hand tapping a through hole, get an OSG spiral point three flute again. This will push the chips forward.
Four flute taps just don’t have the room for the chips.
Crisco, bacon grease, or lard is a good lube.
I have found that most tap breakage is from a misaligned tap. Use a bench block to make sure you are straight into the hole.
Hope that helps,
Jim
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Walk I have tapped allot of holes used to be a machinist when tapping aluminum don’t use the heavy paste like you have use old fashion cutting oil also let me look and see I have several taps that work well in Aluminum I will post it Monday for you if I can find what I am looking for in my shop tool box, But I do know I have tryed all kinds of different tapping compounds and found the old dark cutting oil the kind they use in pipe threading machines works the best. The bees wax type you have gets built up in the threads of the tap and won’t let the chips get out this is why you are breaking off taps I am guessing the tap you had would have worked fine with cutting oil. I did look back on Maramont’s suggestion and a spiral tap would be good I had some at one time if I have a new 10/24 I will mail you one not sure what sizes I have but I did have some.