10-04-2012, 11:19 AM
(10-04-2012, 08:38 AM)Wawoodman Wrote: If I get both the spiral tip (for through tapping) and the spiral flute (for blind holes) can I still use either of them for hand tapping, as well as machine work?
(and I gotta' get one of those cameras, too...)
Yes you can, BUT..........the smaller spiral flute taps are very susceptible to breakage when hand tapping. Your best bet is to use the spiral point tap and be sure to break your chip often when tapping by hand. It will make the chips a LOT easier to get out of the hole when finished.
If working with a shallow blind hole, grind down the point of the tap to just a couple leads and you will get closer to the bottom of the hole when hand tapping.
Form taps are NOT for hand tapping, and should never be used for such regardless of the application.
Best Regards,
Russ........aka "Shiny Camera Guy"
