Drilling and Tapping Hard Metal

[ridgeway]

I've removed taps from many 6 figure $$ parts...common sense as Jackie states...there is ALWAYS a way to get er done. When a
tap does break, chances are good a tooth from tap gets embedded in threads and poses a problem when you send a new tap down to clean it up...or worse going deeper. Inconel and titanium suck...

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

If you manage to drill a hole and when you break the tap, a competent EDM shop can remove the broken tap and tap the hole, regardless hardness.

Yes, but that's a lot like reading directions....last resort. Lol! Also, there are several other options that work "most" of the time. So, it's also a last resort for that reason..and cost, too. Granted, if I had a good edm, it wouldn't be the last resort as often. Lol! In my area, I only know of one shop that has an edm than he can thread with and he gets almost $160/hr. Damn good but expensive. He might use my price scale too!! Lol!

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

I've removed taps from many 6 figure $$ parts...common sense as Jackie states...there is ALWAYS a way to get er done. When a
tap does break, chances are good a tooth from tap gets embedded in threads and poses a problem when you send a new tap down to clean it up...or worse going deeper. Inconel and titanium suck...

Yep, but hard base material is better about it than gummy ss, for example. But it happens a lot, still.

 

[ridgeway]

Without doubt, carbide will withstand heat better than HSS. Carbide is wonderful in many ways...making it in the other hand...that's fir the birds....

 

[ridgeway]

On other hand....technology ans geometry in these new high performance hss taps are phenomenal. If I have something difficult to tap like iconel 718, ti, copper/nickel or stellite, I will grab a spiral flute Walter tap.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

On other hand....technology ans geometry in these new high performance hss taps are phenomenal. If I have something difficult to tap like iconel 718, ti, copper/nickel or stellite, I will grab a spiral flute Walter tap.

Yes, it's pretty amazing how far cutting tools have come in what seems like no time at all. Especially for something that seems so simple, but is far from it. When are chamber reamers gonna catch up?

 

[ridgeway]

I hear ya...Usually when you go into something unknown and thinking its gonna be simple...you will get a rude awakening pretty quick, lol

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

I hear ya...Usually when you go into something unknown and thinking its gonna be simple...you will get a rude awakening pretty quick, lol

Yep...every time.

 

[GLO123]

Slow you drill bit down. I think you are burning the bit with the high speed. Soak the bit in cutting oil while drilling and don‘t put so much pressure on the drill it. Think about the tiny area of the drill bit that actually is doing the cutting. When you force the bit to cut too much you will burn out the bit almost immediately. Go slow and lightly apply cutting force, bathe the bit in cutting oil not just normal oil but cutting oil.

 

[hoz53]

I hear ya...Usually when you go into something unknown and thinking its gonna be simple...you will get a rude awakening pretty quick, lol

thats for sure

 

[Steve Blair]

Yes, but that's a lot like reading directions....last resort. Lol! Also, there are several other options that work "most" of the time. So, it's also a last resort for that reason..and cost, too. Granted, if I had a good edm, it wouldn't be the last resort as often. Lol! In my area, I only know of one shop that has an edm than he can thread with and he gets almost $160/hr. Damn good but expensive. He might use my price scale too!! Lol!

I take your point, but I live in San Diego. While EDM is not cheaper here, we have quite a few shops from which to choose. Sometimes they can be accommodating if you let them do it on their schedule. Not fast, but a little cheaper.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I think you can buy a tap burner edm for around $1500. I wish i had a friend with one

 

[338 Mollett]

I'm quite sure my guy's have a micro edm to burn that right out.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I'm quite sure my guy's have a micro edm to burn that right out.

Im sure they do. Most machine shops have them

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

I've got to look into these tap burner edm machines. I've seen times I'd give that much to get a broken bolt out. Lol!