Spiral point taps

[wawoodman]

OK, you guys have convinced me. The next time I need to tap some through holes, I will buy individual, made in USA, spiral point taps, and do it under power, like Tom does.

I see in Enco that there are a lot of choices, even within those parameters. I want a 5/16-18, to tap 3/4 inch aluminum. (I'm going to try Tom's clamp-type knurler.)

So, what would be the recommendation? They have a  Hertel H-3, bright finish for around $4.50. All of the others seem to be more. Is this a decent tap for general purpose use? Do I need the higher tolerance or coated tops for non-production work? Would it make sense to pick up the other basic sizes at the same time?

[f350ca]

I use what I have and power tap with regular taps all the time.

[PixMan]

I have a pretty good selection of spiral flute and spiral point taps that I've been amassing. After having some of the cheaper ones (Hertel squarely in that class, BTW) chipping teeth on me under power tapping, I now buy the best I can find for reasonable money on eBay.

This one came in last week, was $15 from Dan's Discount Tools on eBay, shipped. It's a Prototyp (brand) A22203-UNC3/8, a 3/8-16UNC 3B class tap. VAP (steam oxide) coated, HSS-E (HSS with 5% cobalt) and will last a lifetime. The Class 3 tap makes a Class 3 thread, but those are also Class 2 compliant. Not the other way around AFAIK. Check eBay for that seller, he's got GREAT deals and usually free shipping.



Made in Germany, just as good if not better than Made In USA! I doubt I'll ever need another 3/8-16UNC tap for through holes.

[PixMan]

Here's a good one for you:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BRUBAKER-Plug-Sp...1512845115

[wawoodman]

Thanks, PixMan. I'll try a couple, and see what I like!

[EdK]

I've had good luck with the OSG brand from Enco and the Widia brand from McMaster. Both are made in the USA.

Ed

[PixMan]

Ed,

Many of the OSG are made in Japan, as that's where their headquarters is located. In fact I'd never seen any of theirs marked as made in USA though I'm sure you're right if you have them. As for Widia, it's part of the Widia-Hanita-Manchester group now, still owned by Kennametal but shoved off and run independently. They could soon shift manufacture to China if they haven't already. Hertel is a brand bought out by MSC from Kennametal. The drills and taps with that name on them were made in Germany when Kennmetal owned them, selling them here under the Kennametal brand name.

In my experience and no-so-humble opinion, the highest quality taps made today are a tie between Emuge and Prototyp, both German, with the higher-end OSG following close behind. As much as I prefer to support US makers, comparing the materials and grind quality of the Prototyp taps against the American made Greenfield, Hanson, Butterfield, and even a couple of Brubaker, the German stuff is clearly on top.

[EdK]

That's good information Ken. The one OSG that I looked at was marked "USA" but now that you mentioned it, I remember having some that are marked "Japan".

Ed

[wawoodman]

Are dies the same sort of issue, in terms of quality/country of origin?