What tap sizes

[alexkuzn]

Guys,

I have an opportunity to buy HSS tap+drill bit for $2. They are good quality, made in USA. I can get any size from 0 to 10. I haven't made any folders yet but planning to do so. What tap sizes will I need? Are there any "popular" sizes that are used more that others?


Thanks,
Alex

[Ed Caffrey]

I've seen makers use everything from 0-80 to 4-40.

Personally I use mostly 2-56 screws/taps for the majority of my folders. It's always nice to have the other ones around in case you need them. I keep the following sizes in my shop....

1-72, 2-56, 4-40, and a few 6-32s.

[tmickley]

I'm with Ed, 2-56 are as small as I want to go but you will want at least 1-72 and 4-40's on hand.

[Dragon cutlery]

first use there numbers as a guied then look at your suplyers and see what screw thay carrie i wont help to have a tap that you cant get the screws you want for it

[Don Robinson]

Be sure to buy only SPIRAL point plug taps for knifemaking. These drive the chips ahead of the tap. Conventional taps are deigned to have the chips climb up the tap, binding the flutes and causing breakage.

[Ray Rogers]

You said, "
I have an opportunity to buy HSS tap+drill bit for $2."

If that means that the drill and the tap are on the same tool rather than two separate pieces you might want to consider what materials you plan to use in your folders. If you plan to use titanium, the standard drill sizes for any given tap are usually too small. Titanium requires a larger hole because it tends to close up a little after it is drilled, and will bind on a tap and cause problems.

For $2 each, it wouldn't hurt to have a few in various sizes for the reasons others have stated but I wouldn't take out a second mortgage to buy them in huge quantity if you plan to use them on ti ......