To admit defete

GK1918

GK1918

Active User
Registered
Joined
Nov 21, 2010
Messages
1,600
I got an email as to how I made out with a SB crossfeed thread stop. Made 99% on a shaper and I will
be the first to admit defete. When I got to the part of tapping it well I broke the tap in there, so to the
junk box, now another out of brass. So thats the story to the member that emailed me that I somehow
deleted from my box. samuel
 
Oh man bummer! I hate when that happens, and I live in fear every time I do a small diameter tapping operation.
 
Taps are like glass, I have taken a punch and busted them out in the past. Sometimes a little tap and needle nose pliers will do the trick. Don't relegate the piece to the bone-yard without at least attempting it.
 
THere are simple ways to dissolve a steel tap in brass without hurting the brass. Alum can be used to dissolve the tap. Google around and get the details.

Don't admit DEFEAT so easily.
 
I agree, there is still a very good chance you can save the part. George , and Bill have given good infro on the matter. I think we all have had this happen from time to time. I usually break taps that are 1/4 and smaller. I do admit when I do break them, its usually a very cheap, low quality tap. Some times I say to myself, ya, I can get through this job with that tap, and yhats when it bites my a$$. I swear , I know better, but on occasion I push my luck.

You may, or may not have been using the proper tap, or the best quality. I have been bitten other ways with small tap jobs. We should allways check the drill size, and measure to be sure, and Ive screwed up a few pieces by choosing the wrong size drill bit, because I wasnt bothering to check sizing.

I would atleast try to save the job. I know how it feels to spend hours working on some thing, and looking forward to the finished piece, and having it all go to hell, right at the end. The funny thing? I usually only happens on my own stuff for some unknown reason.

Hope you can still salvage your part
 
Thanks , I hope I didnt make a copywrite mistake (Bill) I mearly broke a small tap which I really can
remove. The part just goes in the pile because I decide to go brass. Not only easier, but I rather
have brass or even alum for the dovetails on lathe. Its only a stop. Or delvrin?? Any ways I have
already took a 2" brass boat shaft and made it square in shaper yesterday. Now in the N/E. we
have a heat wave and she is already steaming me with those dastardly lawnmowers. Ugg sam
 
Propeller shafting is some tough stuff. Be careful to look up the recommended DRILL size as suggested. Using a drill just a few thousanths too small can be a disaster. I've found that out a number of times years ago when I had only 1 set of fractional drill bits. You need number drills,too. A set of LETTER drills is also good for the larger size taps. A 1/4-20 thread tap needs an "F" size drill.

I don't have a set of metric drills,but they would also be helpful for filling in the gaps in available hole sizes.
 
george wilson said:
THere are simple ways to dissolve a steel tap in brass without hurting the brass. Alum can be used to dissolve the tap. Google around and get the details.

Don't admit DEFEAT so easily.
Click to expand...

Gee thanks George. I'm gona have to sacrifice a tap or 2 to see that work :):):):):) Another good reason for using Aluminum and Brass for everything :)
 
I have used diamond burrs in a Dremel a few times when the tap broken flush with the surface. Put some light oil or water to lube the burr. I try to cut the web out and this allows the flukes to fall out with a good shake or poke and prod.
Pierre

My last tap to break was when I made the new top slide for the compound on my Atlas lathe. One of the gib holes using a 10x32 tap. I was lucky as it broke above the surface and after cleaning out the chips with a mix of air blast and a magnetized probe, I was able to back the remains out after awhile.
 
Where I use to work one of the service guys broke some taps in a customers machine that could not just be thrown away. One of the machinist from the factory took some equpipment and went to the customers plant and removed the broken taps without any damage to the machine. As I recall it involved something electrical with a hollow electrode and some fluid. I have thought of trying to build something like it. Maybe some one knows that process and it could be built for hobby use. Need to do some research.......


Benny
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top