You can also use a guiding block to start your tap. It is basically a flat piece of metal with a clearance hole drilled through it to keep your tap straight when you strat it. After the thread are started, remove the tap and the guiding block. Keep tapping your perfectly straight threads :)
On Mar 1, 8:34 am, Frank Pittelli <[email protected]> wrote: > We've been tapping threads by hand for years. All it takes is patience > to ensure that the tap starts out vertical. Start the tap into the > proper size pilot hole and then view it from all angles to make sure it > is perpendicular to the surface. Take another turn, back it off to > break the chip and check alignment again. At that point, the tap does > all the work and the drill hole keeps it running straight. > > If you're tapping soft metals like aluminum or brass with a small tap > (#4 or #6) be sure to go slow and back it out often to prevent material > from clogging the tap. If that happens, you'll twist it off in the hole > and curse the day you ever saw a tap. In general, if you ever feel too > much pressure with a tap, back it out and then proceed. And remember, > if the hole has a bottom the tap will eventually find it and you won't > be able to apply more pressure to get past it :-) > > Always use plenty of oil when tapping to keep the tap cool while cutting. > > Frank P. > > On 3/1/2011 6:19 AM, Thomas Lum wrote: > > > > > In an effort not to buy a lathe, I was wondering if anyone had > > experience with either the stand alone hand tapping machines or using a > > drill press (not powered) to tap threads? Wondering what I need to keep > > the tap perfectly vertical when tapping bar stock or round stock.- Hide > > quoted text - > > - Show quoted text - -- You are currently subscribed to the "R/C Tank Combat" group. To post a message, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe, send email to [email protected] Visit the group at http://groups.google.com/group/rctankcombat
