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Re: Using nitric acid to remove broken taps or drills from aluminum
In my home hobby projects, I've usually only tapped holes in the range from 6-32? up to 1/4-20. The smaller 6-32 and 8-32 taps still make me nervous, even when tapping aluminum. Even when using a guide or tap follower to keep things straight, and using tapping lube, my biggest question has always been "how much torque should I be applying, and how much is too much?" Like many hobbyists, I started out with one of those large sets of "tungsten steel" taps and dies. The taps are typically plug taps, so I find the cut is quite aggressive. I will start off with a hole drilled with the recommended number drill, but more often than not, the tap will not start properly, even if I chamfer the opening of the hole. So, I go up to the next-larger number drill, and try that. Often I have to go up two drill sizes to get the tap to start. I know I'm giving up some thread engagement by doing this, but the results have been acceptable for my projects.
But, this past week, I bought a set of HSS taper taps, from 6-32 to 3/8, from an industrial supplier. I'm hoping that the less-aggressive taper taps will give me more luck in starting the tapping, and less anxiety? when trying to decide how hard to twist the tap wrench. |
Re: Using nitric acid to remove broken taps or drills from aluminum, comment to the remark
Looks good to me.
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I will make a block when need. But I look the looks of that tool? Dave? mike allen 10:55am? ? If ya don't drill & tap much that's where drill & tap guides come in handy . If ya have a drill press or access to one these a simple quick jobs . ?https://www.ebay.com/itm/150689770337 animal |
Re: Using nitric acid to remove broken taps or drills from aluminum, comment to the remark
¿ªÔÆÌåÓýIf ya don't drill & tap much that's where drill & tap guides come in handy . If ya have a drill press or access to one these a simple quick jobs . ? animal On 3/17/24 4:43 AM, Ron Y wrote:
In my case the tap broke on the fifth hole. I was just thinking to myself that this is a cheap tap and I need to get a better set (these were the Pittsburgh brand from HF that I got probably 30 years ago and was a tiny m3). Of course it snapped just as I was finishing the thought. I have not had many occasions over the years to drill and tap such a tiny hole and it happened. I am hoping that I will actually be able to use a lathe (my back) and get to learn a lot of this stuff. Remember not everyone has been doing this for years and years and some are trying to do it with physical limitations. I used to do carpentry work but can't cut a straight line anymore. We adapt.? A metal lathe is something i have always been fascinated with and hopefully be able to use and have some fun with. |
Re: Using nitric acid to remove broken taps or drills from aluminum
You have never had to work with employees.?
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Good luck not break taps Dave? OldToolmaker 5:53am? ? The solution is to not break a tap. Always use a guide.? |
Re: Using nitric acid to remove broken taps or drills from aluminum
If alum takes 24 hours and nitric acid takes 10 minutes, you don't have to guess which one I'm using! A few minutes after my broken-off drill bit, I was back in my shop tapping the hole. Walmart has made it tremendously easier to get nitric acid. Anyway, getting it is only a problem if you have a broken off drill bit or tap RIGHT NOW. Otherwise, order it ahead and save it until you need it. (You probably haven't already?got alum, either). I store my acids under the kitchen?sink, because I always use them with plenty of water available. They're in a plastic tub, except for gallon bottles of muriatic acid. Here's a photo ?. I keep a recycling bin in front of this so no one ever sees it. The white stuff in the tub is baking soda BTW, which may help neutralize a leak (or at least give me a clue which one is leaking, if one ever does). Mike Taglieri? On Sat, Mar 16, 2024, 5:42 PM mike allen <animal@...> wrote:
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Re: Using nitric acid to remove broken taps or drills from aluminum, comment to the remark
In my case the tap broke on the fifth hole. I was just thinking to myself that this is a cheap tap and I need to get a better set (these were the Pittsburgh brand from HF that I got probably 30 years ago and was a tiny m3). Of course it snapped just as I was finishing the thought. I have not had many occasions over the years to drill and tap such a tiny hole and it happened. I am hoping that I will actually be able to use a lathe (my back) and get to learn a lot of this stuff. Remember not everyone has been doing this for years and years and some are trying to do it with physical limitations. I used to do carpentry work but can't cut a straight line anymore. We adapt.? A metal lathe is something i have always been fascinated with and hopefully be able to use and have some fun with.
Ron |
Re: Using nitric acid to remove broken taps or drills from aluminum, comment to the remark
I am one of the ones that questioned what an EDM was as I had never heard of one. I did break a tap in my HF mini lathe when adding the 16" bed extension. Luckily(?), mine broke at the hole nearest the headstock which is primarily not accessed. The instructions say to use only four bolts anyway (tapped five). I look at this group basically every day.? I have not even used the lathe yet nor fully finished putting it back together as I just had another back surgery a few days ago. These types of forums are where us newbies learn different things. I for one do not mind a slight drift in topics at times as long as it relates to the mini lathe. I also watched the video with the guy using the "lab" equipment with the magnetic stirrer to dissolve the tap in an aluminum piece after 20 hours. Nice demonstration but not really practical for a hobbyist to utilize, which is what I look for in these forums. For those that answered my queries on an off topic, thank you. I am trying to learn as much as possible.?
Ron |
Re: Using nitric acid to remove broken taps or drills from aluminum, comment to the remark
gcvisalia@... I would suggest folks try to figure out how to not break taps. Since the 70s to now, I think I have broken two taps. Both in my earlier years. Granted I dont do alot everyday but still At time I would tap thousands a day sooner or later it would happen.? Since they where large type I could get broken tap with mig welder.? But most do not have skill . So you may need toremoving a tap in your mini lathe. Now we need to talk. Dave? |
Re: Using nitric acid to remove broken taps or drills from aluminum, comment to the remark
I tap on my mini lathe all the time, the trick is to keep the tap clear of chips by backing the tap out all the way, blow out the chips and use plenty of cutting fluid designed for the material that you are tapping.? If you break a tap removing the broken tap is hit-n-miss sometimes it can be done sometimes it can¡¯t be done.? Keep the tap in perfect alignment with the work piece as well and take your time. Have A Great Day?? Tracy Ranson On Sat, Mar 16, 2024 at 7:06?PM davesmith1800 <davesmith1@...> wrote: It some most do om a mini is Tap. |
Re: Using nitric acid to remove broken taps or drills from aluminum, comment to the remark
I would suggest folks try to figure out how to not break taps. Since the 70s to now, I think I have broken two taps. Both in my earlier years. Granted I dont do alot everyday but still. george
On Saturday, March 16, 2024 at 07:06:49 PM PDT, davesmith1800 <davesmith1@...> wrote:
It some most do om a mini is Tap. Someone can break Tap in mini lathe. Now what It is like taking about chuck or some other tooling needs? In using a mini lathe it something you will need to deal with.? There no sites with just Broken Tap? Dave? Pierre-Raymond Rondelle 6:43am? ? Hi Mike, May I make a comment please: The original subject had nothing to do with the 7x12 mini-lathe group name |
Re: Using nitric acid to remove broken taps or drills from aluminum, comment to the remark
It some most do om a mini is Tap.
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Someone can break Tap in mini lathe. Now what It is like taking about chuck or some other tooling needs? In using a mini lathe it something you will need to deal with.? There no sites with just Broken Tap? Dave? Pierre-Raymond Rondelle 6:43am? ? Hi Mike, May I make a comment please: The original subject had nothing to do with the 7x12 mini-lathe group name |
Re: Using nitric acid to remove broken taps or drills from aluminum
I agree with you, Mike
I was a Chemistry major in college and was very careful around all the concentrated (& dilute) acids and bases.?? With care, none are a problem. Back when I was in aerospace industry. we always passivated the stainless steel, to remove any exess carbon, with nitric acid.? There is a MIL spec for? passivating. It's easy to find. The layman should always research chemicals and processes, and follow them.? It is safe when ones don't take shortcuts. ralphie |
Re: Using nitric acid to remove broken taps or drills from aluminum, comment to the remark
This group has posts about everything related to using a minilathe, not just the mechanics of the lathe itself. And that certainly includes drilling and tapping holes with them.?? And there are two kinds of people in this group -- people who've broken a tap and beginners who haven't done it yet. Which group are you in? Mike Taglieri? On Sat, Mar 16, 2024, 9:43 AM Pierre-Raymond Rondelle via <pierreraymondrondelle=[email protected]> wrote:
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Re: Using nitric acid to remove broken taps or drills from aluminum
No offense, but this reply just shows that you didn't bother to read my post or didn't understand it.? Nitric acid isn't a children's toy, but (like most of the things you do in a machine shop), it's safe enough if you're paying attention.? Also, it does NOT damage aluminum, which was the only thing I was talking about. Mike Taglieri? On Sat, Mar 16, 2024, 10:43 AM davesmith1800 <davesmith1@...> wrote: It is on subject? about safely removing a tap. |
Re: Using nitric acid to remove broken taps or drills from aluminum
¿ªÔÆÌåÓýYea I saw this last nite & thought wow we got something here & if ya have 24 or maybe more hours to remove a broken tap this could be the ticket . I know my patience & attention span is much shorter . Gotta say the guy gave it his all though . animal On 3/16/24 2:14 PM, chrisser via
groups.io wrote:
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Re: Using nitric acid to remove broken taps or drills from aluminum
This recently posted on Youtube Using Alum to dissolve taps in non-ferrous metals. Kinda long and seems to require a lot of equipment and a fair amount of time.? But might be an option less hazardous than nitric acid and easier to get the materials.
On Saturday, March 16th, 2024 at 3:50 PM, davesmith1800 <davesmith1@...> wrote: What month in? Popular Mechanics Magazine circa 1965 for an EDM "Tap Buster"? |
Re: Using nitric acid to remove broken taps or drills from aluminum
Check out Popular Mechanics Magazine circa 1965 for an EDM "Tap Buster" costing about?$10 to build. Scarey and not for the faint of heart! Uses 117 VAC current straight from the wall. Might be deadly but cheap and easy to build!? ?Bill, brave in Boulder CO On Sat, Mar 16, 2024 at 9:29?AM davesmith1800 <davesmith1@...> wrote: Here is lowest-priced EDM machine. |
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