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A question for those who've made blocks
- Thread starter Shroomer
- Start date
have fun and use a lubricant! Tapping copper is tough. anything smaller than a #8 should be done with a cold forming tap, not a cutting tap. Large holes are easier, but still not fun. If you have nothing else, use engine oil as a lubricant. It'll keep your tool sharp and cutting. Also, remember to back the tap out intermittently to break off the chips.
its quite easy if you have the correct lube, I have this stuff that I found on accident, I dont know the name, I can take my 6-32 CUTTING tap and just run it thru like a screw, its crazy Ill get a pic or something later when I go do some more milling
and Im gonna try the 4-40 with that stuff
and Im gonna try the 4-40 with that stuff
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2002
Taper threads through thicker bar stock is where I had trouble. I ended up putting it in a vice with a 2foot steel tube sliped over the end of a wrench just to turn that 1/4npt tap through 1/2 aluminum. Copper is bit easier though since it's softer but sucks trying to cut it.
- Joined
- Dec 8, 2002
- Location
- Suffolk, UK
SysCrusher said:
lol that must have been a very blunt tap im surprised that it didnt snap with that mutch toque on it
anaway you shold not have problems tapping out copper its very soft so you have to be very careful that you apply an eaven pressure as you turn
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2002
slater3333uk said:
lol that must have been a very blunt tap im surprised that it didnt snap with that mutch toque on it
anaway you shold not have problems tapping out copper its very soft so you have to be very careful that you apply an eaven pressure as you turn
lol Yeah me too. When I got done I looked at the first cutting thread on the tap, and the corners were cracked off. The thicker npt taps can handle pretty good amount of torque to my surprise.
SysCrusher said:
I had similar difficulty with a cheap tap I bought at a mega-hardware store. I found out a friend had a 1/4 NPT tap, and tapping was much easier with his tap. Tap quality makes a big difference. Unfortunately, I don't know what brands are good. I think it's worth some research though.
