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Paul in Mich
06-27-2003 19:04:23
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Re: How to correctly use a tap die set. in reply to E-NumunMarkus, 06-26-2003 10:26:19
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First, start with a good quality tap and die set. The cheapies are just that, and will cause you more grief than the money you thought you saved. Next, if you are going to tap a new hole, have and use a good drill. A dull or bad drill will get hot and can work harden the material making it extra hard to tap. On tough materials such as stainless steel, it isn't really cheating to drill the hole an extra couple of thousanths. Use lots of tapping fluid. I like the pastes as they cling to the tap and hole rather than run to the bottom. Most industrial supply houses carry these pastes, which will also work on dies, but dies work better with fluid as it releases the chips better. As one suggested, 1/4 turns then back off. This clears chips from the tap flutes and dies. For cutting taps, I prefer 2 fluted taps up to 3/8, then 4 flutes will work fine. Most dies are 4 sectioned, except some chasing dies. Dont try using a thread chasing die for new cuts. Also, make sure that you start taps and dies straight. I drilled a block with pilot holes to help keep taps started straight. Dies are a little harder, but some have starting leads which help. I gues I could go on and on, as there is a whole technology to be learned in thread making, but there is really one way to figure it all out and that is to do it. Just dont get in a hurry, and get greedy and try to cut too much at once, and use the lubricant generously.
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