Thread: Tap info
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Old 04-07-2017, 10:07 AM
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Ray Rogers Ray Rogers is offline
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Join Date: Jun 2002
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First off, you do not want a Tapmatic for this job. The only way they can work on titanium is if you drill the pilot hole very large so there is almost no thread cut in the hole.

Buy your HSS tapered taps a dozen at a time, or at least a half dozen. Sometimes you can find them on eBay pretty cheap. Every new folder you make gets a new tap. That's how you avoid breaking taps because you will surely break it as soon as it shows any sign of getting dull. Titanium is very hard on cutting tools.

You've seen my videos, you should have seen the hand tapper I built. It's also on my Shop Tour on my website. You can buy tappers of that same general design. There are also chucked tappers that can be chucked into your drill press. All the drill press does is hold the tapper steady, you turn in by hand, not with the drill press motor. As always, when you need a tool like this check MSC ...


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