Found a new "trick" for tapping

[Maximerc]

I know that a lot of us don't drill and tap holes in our boats. I am in the middle of building a snowmobile trailer. Drilling and tapping through the wood then the steel. Using tap magic works great though it puts oil in the wood. Just for fun I tried dipping the tap in Epoxy . It works Great !! Seals the hole in the wood and the bolt is sealed somewhat. <br /><br />P.S I tap a lot of holes where I work in SS mostly 16 gauge but up to 1/4 " After you get a feel for it you can use a GOOD drill motor to tap with I know it sounds out of control , but after you get the feel of it you break fewer taps this way because the tourqe is constant. From a 4-40 all the way to 3/8"

 

[crab bait]

Re: Found a new "trick" for tapping

thanks for the tip..!!<br /><br />here's one... <br /><br />if'n you drill or tap or holesaw ssteel take carpenters 'chaulk line ' chaulk.. put some in a small container i.e. cup , cut down plastic pop bottle,ect... add a few drops of water so as to make a paste... put on or dip bits into it an drill... works like no other an keeps drill an such from dullin'....stoppin' a few times to add more chauk paste..<br /><br />but here's the trick.... MUST GO AS SLOW AS POSSIABLY CAN.....an i mean barely turnin' with exteme down pressure... <br /><br />try it,, you'll like it... ( color don't matter )...

 

[Maximerc]

Re: Found a new "trick" for tapping

No Kiddin ! I would have thought the chalk would dull the bit. I'LL try it .. thx.

 

[flashback]

Re: Found a new "trick" for tapping

I have drilled quite a few holes in stainless in the past and man does it dull a bit in a hurry. one thing i do to help is to step up the size of the hole several times, it seems to save the bits some.... I have used the drill motor technique for tapping the holes and it does work well provided you have reverse on the drill....and i will give the chalk a shot next time. thanks for the tips guys......

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Found a new "trick" for tapping

I've always used l/u oil for SS. I've never had much trouble with bits dulling with it, but I've never been able to tap it without drilling the holes a couple numbers oversized.<br />I'll try the chalk! Thanks!