lots of taps

[jacek]

i received a bucket full of used taps, mostly 1/4-20 and 5/16. Many are in good shape still,but just in case, i was wondering if it is possible at all to resharpen the inner flutes on them ? Never tried it, i got the idea looking at them and eyeballing my trusty dremel kit sitting on a shelf nearby.

So what would you guys do? resharpen or simple kick the bucket over to the recycling bin?


One good trick is to grind the threads away and make yourself a nice set of center punch that will last a long time!

[fuzzyracing1967]

yeah taps can be reground,we do it from time to time, but on ones 1 inch or bigger on a grinding machine.I'd go ahead and make punches with ones that small.

[Mcgyver]

regrind them if you have a T&C and feel like a project, I don't think i'd bother for 1/4. Frankly i find the good ones last forever...wear is very slow given the low temps, and a slow, small material removal rate.

I wouldn't think taps would make a good punch, i can't see how they'd be the right temper. Not a good idea smacking away at HSS, it will/could shatter and will make a mess of the ball peen hammer.

[Geof]

Originally Posted by Mcgyver ....Not a good idea smacking away at HSS, it will/could shatter......

And the fragments that chip off can come off fast enough and sharp enough to penetrate skin. No, do not use an old tap to make a punch.

[fuzzyracing1967]

Originally Posted by Mcgyver
....Not a good idea smacking away at HSS, it will/could shatter......
.... and Geof....
And the fragments that chip off can come off fast enough and sharp enough to penetrate skin. No, do not use an old tap to make a punch.

Sorry everybody I was being my smart a$$ self when I wrote that,No you should not make a punch out of your old taps,they will break apart and hurt you.

I will go over here in the corner and sit now

[Geof]

Originally Posted by fuzzyracing1967 ...I will go over here in the corner and sit now

I do hope your head is bowed in an appropriately penitent position.

[fuzzyracing1967]

yes,I do hope you all forgive me.

[mc-motorsports]

I personally wouldn't resharpen them, but tool steel is worth A LOT more than mild in a recycler. If you have a whole bucket, I think we get $3/lb right now locally. Take them to the recycler, buy some beer, and smile!

[jacek]

Originally Posted by mc-motorsports I personally wouldn't resharpen them, but tool steel is worth A LOT more than mild in a recycler. If you have a whole bucket, I think we get $3/lb right now locally. Take them to the recycler, buy some beer, and smile!

Thanks everyone for your tips. didn't stop to think about shattered shrapnel. Truth be told, the transfer punch or hole centering using a tap was taught to me by my old die maker mentor(he's 75!) But i really like your idea motorsports! i'll have a cold one and smile tomorrow!

[Mcgyver]

Originally Posted by jacek TTruth be told, the transfer punch or hole centering using a tap was taught to me by my old die maker mentor

doesn't mean your guy is wrong - there is a huge difference between how a transfer punch is used vs how a centre punch is used. transfer punch = tap tap tap with a small hammer. still, not hitting hss with a hammer is a good idea.

if you want to make transfer punches (an who doesn't, the commerical ones SUCK) just use drill rod, make the pip tiny like they should be, make the OD fit the hole properly and make them short like they should be. heat treat the pip, the rest can stay soft.

[jacek]

ah yes, drill blanks! my mentor taught me another trick with them. He's old-school, and when in a pinch, he uses drill blanks as punches in the small production die he builds. They work wonderfully well, the trick is to cold 'ping' a mushroom head to lock them in the punch holder.

3 to learning the tricks of the trade!

I have personally used some of his older dies, 15years old+ and no drill blanks have ever shattered under normal punching stroke.

[JROM]

LOOK at the taps with a loupe. Most of the time they are not dull, they just have material built up on the leading edge. They sell a hard arkinsaw stone that is shaped to fit the front face of most taps. Like an elipse. If you can get your hands on one of these stones you can clean up most taps and they will work just fine. By the way I have found that some of the zoomy tapping fluids on the market will etch the cutting edges of your taps making there life a lot shorter. Like "Tapmatic"
P.S. don't pound on them with a hammer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If all you have is a hammer, everthing looks like a nail.