Quality Thread Tap Mfgs?

[CTD12V]

Hopefully this is the right forum to ask this . . .



What are some good quality manufacturers of thread taps, especially in 1/8 NPT size?



I went through two 1/8 NPT taps (one Kobalt from Lowes and one from a local plumbing store, don't know the brand on it) while trying to tap the supply line banjo bolt on my P7100 for a fuel pressure gauge. The cutting threads just didn't want to bite very well, and the lowest 4 or so on the tip (where they transistion from almost no cutting thread into a full cutting thread) were flattening out by the time I was through with them. It was very hard to keep the tap aligned with the hole, as well--kept feeling like I was cross threading what I had already cut.



I was using 3-in-1 for cutting oil and was turning in half to three-quarters of a turn and backing out about a quarter of a turn. Was I doing something wrong, or was I just the victim of cheap taps. Where do you find good quality taps? I am afraid to even think about tapping my exhaust manifold based on my experience with these last two taps. I don't want to spend a wad on a whole set at this point, but I want to get a good 1/8 NPT, at least, that I can count on for more than half a project. :-laf



Thanks!



CTD12V

 

[RandallScot]

First off, 3 in 1 is a lubricating oil. I use Rapid Tap with great success, & as far as taps, find a good tool store, most will allow you to bring the tap back if your not satisfied with it, just my $. 02's

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

Rigid makes some great threading equipment, also as far as a tapping lubricant use some motor oil 10w30 or some Marvel Mystery Oil they work good when doing regular steel. As long as the tap is going in without binding try going further before you back it out to break the chips. I would think 1/2 to 3/4 of a turn isn't enough to start a good enough thread to allow re-alignment. Also I just thought of it, I've had pretty good luck with the Craftsman Professional series of taps from Sears

 

[Dl5treez]

OSG, Hertel, Reiff & Nestor (R&N)... Worth every bit of their cost.



J & L Industrial Supply has a good website.



Shop Tools, Inc. is a vendor and has a store in 'Springs, FYI.



Greenfield is a decent brand, as is IrwinHanson, if you get their name brand from an industrial supplier (J&L, Grainger, Fastenal, etc), or a high quality brand they manufacture (Snap-on, MAC, Matco, etc). Their stuff at Home Depot, Lowe's, etc is a lower quality, mass market offering.



There are a lot of good ones out there.

 

[WDixon27]

not sure who snap on sources them from but the blue point sets aren't too bad, when in blind holes i fill the hole with motor oil and go for it letting hydraulic pressure flush the chips out, i think excessive backing up can dammage the new threads

 

[Nate]

Yeah I just turn the tap until it gets harder to turn, then back it out 1/4 turn or so. Usually ends up being like 2 turns or so... though it depends on the material, size, etc.



Haven't broken a tap yet and I've done quite a few holes!



My main tap set is a Craftsman plus I have others for what I was missing in that set, like a 1/4" NPT.



I use taping and cutting fluid. Got it from ACE in a quart sized jug and I put it in a smaller bottle I have. Wasn't very expensive and I use it for drilling steel as well.

 

[Dl5treez]

not sure who snap on sources them from but the blue point sets aren't too bad, when in blind holes i fill the hole with motor oil and go for it letting hydraulic pressure flush the chips out, i think excessive backing up can dammage the new threads

Snap-on taps are manufactured by IrwinHanson... ... they make pretty much all the tool truck taps.

 

[jp8819]

MSC is another good source for machining and tapping products if you have one in your area or you can order from them online.

 

[CTD12V]

Thanks for the info! I'll try looking for some of those brands.



Thanks for the pointers on the tapping techniques, too.



CTD12V

 

[rbattelle]

Precision seems to be a good brand.



Ryan