tapping aluminum

[fourperf]

what taps to you giy use to tap aluminum. the 4 flute taps I use get loaded uo so quickly and I have to keep clearing them. There must be a better way?

Mark

[RLC]

Mark,
are you using a cutting fluid like "Tap Magic" , are they thru or blind holes and what size? I use 2,3 and 4 fluted taps and tap magic pro on aluminum with no problems

[fourperf]

Originally Posted by RLC Mark, are you using a cutting fluid like "Tap Magic" , are they thru or blind holes and what size? I use 2,3 and 4 fluted taps and tap magic pro on aluminum with no problems

I am indeed using tap magic or a cutting oil with a taper tap in a through hole 1/4-20 in 3/4 inch 6061 t6 aluminum. Maybe a 3 flute tap is better (more space for the chips to clear into?

[Newby2]

Have you tried a spiral flute tap...are you hand tapping or power tapping? With a spiral flute in T6 it should string instead of chip. Strings will exit the hole at the top where straight flute will chip and clog the tap.
Steve

[fpworks]

form taps...they don't make chips (just a little dust)

I run them with just the machine coolant.

Justin

[fourperf]

I have been hand tapping although I just ordered a compression/tension tapping head to run in a g84 tapping cycle on my fadal. I have a strong feeling those 4 flute taps I am using will snap

[cdlenterprises]

I would form tap. Just make sure that you have real good coolant flow into the hole as form taps can build a lot of heat. Why not try a Tapmatic tapping head instead of tension and compression?

[psychomill]

fourperf..... go to 2 flute taps for aluminum.

You can make any tool "work".... but for aluminum, you're best bet is 2 flute or roll tap. You can rigid tap all day with just the machine coolant...

[fourperf]

thanks for the advice guys, I did not go with the tapmatic self reversing head because of the price and to cover the range of taps I wanted I would need 2 of them

Mark

[lerman]

I've seen two comments on this threads suggesting coolant with form taps. I believe that coolant is not what should be used. Form taps require lubricant; not coolant. I highly recommend them for aluminum. Also, remember that because form taps displace the metal, they require a larger hole before tapping.

Ken

[psychomill]

I've seen two comments on this threads suggesting coolant with form taps. I believe that coolant is not what should be used. Form taps require lubricant; not coolant.

I don't agree... BUT,

"Lubricant" may be "better" for rolling, even cutting for that matter. However, I've been using coolant in the machines and roll tapping aluminum for more years than I can remember for threads of all sizes, class, depth, type, etc. I've never had any problems to come to believe that I need to be using "lubricant".

[Geof]

Coolant is lubricant; well at least the oily part is, I guess the water part only cools. There is pretty much the same amount of metal deformation and metal rubbing against metal in tapping and forming. The difference is the location of the rubbing and deformation and the final destination of the deformed metal.