how to self tap

athlonnerd · Jan 8, 2003

Does anyone know if npt thread is designed such that it will self tap give the right diameter hole? I’m looking to insert several barbs in quite a few blocks, aluminum. I’m not realy interested in gluing them in or "lathing" the thread down and forcing it in. this is aluminum so it wont solder. If brass npt will self tap, at what size hole?

athlonnerd · Jan 8, 2003

forgot, its 1/4" brass npt

TonyMc · Jan 8, 2003

No. it will just strip the threads on the barbs. If your going to make multiple blocks your best bet would be to just buy a tap and bit(they come in a kit sometimes) and tap away.

Stedeman · Jan 8, 2003

No it will not self tap as the brass is to soft to cut a thread

and the hole is tapered (bigger at the top than at the bottom, look closely at the barb you can see it in the depth of the threads)

Liss · Jan 8, 2003

the first time.. i tried just tring to screw in a brass barb into a piece of aluminum...
i do'nt care wut you do.. you are NOT going to get it in.. lol
just buy the tap... like 4 dollars

athlonnerd · Jan 8, 2003

ok, will seaqrs or home depot have them, or is this going to be another ebay job?

Liss · Jan 8, 2003

home depot doesn't have taps??????
wut wut wut?

Liss · Jan 8, 2003

while people are talking bout self tapping...

was wondering if steel screws (maybe al screws) would just tap itself into copper?

bigben2k · Jan 8, 2003

Noooooo

Screws won't tap themselves into copper... Have you ever tried to screw anything into a steel block? Copper is a bit softer, but not that much.

NPT taps are hard to find. EBay might be a source, but I really doubt it.

Best bet: call a local machine shop to have them do it for you.

bigben2k · Jan 8, 2003

Correction: you can use self-tapping screws. It's a brute force approach, but it's been reported to work.

NeoMoses · Jan 8, 2003

you'll need a 7/16" drill bit and a 1/4NPT tap

Shroomer · Jan 8, 2003

Specialty plumbing stores should have your taps.

Since87 · Jan 8, 2003

I've gotten a tap and drill set from Menards. I'd guess Home Depot would carry them as well.

The one I got from Menards seemed to be very low quality though. (Past a certain depth it didn't so much cut the copper as push it out of the way.) I had much better luck after borrowing one from a friend. Sorry, don't know the brand of the good one. I'd say it's worth looking into who makes high quality taps and getting one though.

You're tapping aluminum though right? Cheap tap would probably be ok.

57sty · Jan 8, 2003

make sure you use some kind of oil on the tap too or it will gall the threads on the way out plus it will tap easier

57sty · Jan 8, 2003

you could try sears website for craftsman if you cant find any thing i would try a pluming store first. and if you are going to do alot of holes you get what you pay for

TonyMc · Jan 8, 2003

bigben2k said:
Noooooo

Screws won't tap themselves into copper... Have you ever tried to screw anything into a steel block? Copper is a bit softer, but not that much.

NPT taps are hard to find. EBay might be a source, but I really doubt it.

Best bet: call a local machine shop to have them do it for you.

Actually NPT taps are easy to find, here they are at least. Home depot or Lowes should have them even little hardware stores like ACE, True value... I buy all my taps locally except big millimeter size. Anything over M12 is impossible to get a hold of.

Daemonfly · Jan 9, 2003

Home Depot DOES have NPT taps, but a limited selection. I do beleive they carry the 1/4" NPT though, as if I remember correctly, thats where I got mine

athlonnerd · Jan 9, 2003

ok, cool thanks

TyRex · Jan 10, 2003

Since87 said:
I've gotten a tap and drill set from Menards. I'd guess Home Depot would carry them as well.

MENARDS!?!?!? you must be from indiana........gotta love menards, they just had a 20% off sale on all dremel tools and accesories.....

how to self tap

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