Tap Lubricants for Aluminum

J. Schwiebert

Well-known Member
I just saw this the other day and now I can not find it. It mentioned a lubricant for tapping aluminum that does not stain aluminum. What am I looking for? Thanks in advance. J.
 
There is a product called Tap Magic, for aluminum. Smells bad though. Try Mcmaster Carr on how to purchase it. Aint cheep. Or, Try Kerosene, works good on aluminum. I do not know if it stains or not. Just clean it off if it does.
 
Every shop I've worked at uses A-9. It's made for aluminum and works great for all machining operations in it.

Comes in a metal can that's a little smaller than a quart. Might come in smaller sizes too but never seen it.

Donovan from Wisconsin
 
I was washing down some aluminum work we did using ZepAlum when the boss decided he wanted to smooth out a few spots. He had an air powered die grinder with a carbide burr. The wetness kept the burr from gumming up. We then ran a small stream of water on the tool and it sure cut a lot better than dry. The only drawback is we got wet, but it was a hot day. Of course don't try with electric tools. We though so highly of this discovery that the next big aluminum job we will rig a little nozzle to the tool.

Josh
 
Ha! You must be an A&P to know about that wonderful pink stuff. I have a jar of it and use it when ever I drill steel.
 
No, I'm not an A&P, Kip, but I do have an experimental aircraft project out in the shop. Gotta get going on that again.
 
There are commercial lubricants but we always used kerosene in the shop I worked at. Diesel fuel would work too just smells a little more.
 
(quoted from post at 22:13:37 02/01/14) I was washing down some aluminum work we did using ZepAlum when the boss decided he wanted to smooth out a few spots. ...

(quoted from post at 07:23:52 02/02/14) Tap Magic for aluminum.

Used both of those in tech school and they seemed to work really well. I don't have a ton of experience tapping Al so I could be way off.
 
I don't ever remember seeing a tapping fluid that would stain aluminum.

Depending on what alloy aluminum you are working with there's a number of choices.

Tap Magic is tough to beat, Kerosene will work, WD40 is also an easy alternative, light weight oil is ok too.

What are you tapping?
 
while you are on the subject of tapping aluminum. I took machinest class in the army, they told us to use a new tap when doing aluminum and then run an old tap thru the aluminum after we cut the threads with the new tap. No one has been able to tell me why this was being taught. Does anyone here know?
 
If allowed to be SOLD in YOUR locale.

However,,,,,,,, stinks like the 'ole lamplighter's shop.

Migh need some approved "asborspent", play sand.

John,PA
 

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