In a message dated 3/23/2004 11:09:19 AM Eastern Standard Time, Trvlr2001 writes:

>
>   Subj:  Re: Tapping and dieing
>   Date:  3/23/2004 11:09:19 AM Eastern Standard Time
>   From:  Trvlr2001
>   To:  THX0001
>
>
>
>
> In a message dated 3/21/2004 4:29:24 PM Eastern Standard Time, THX0001@AOL.COM writes:
>
> > In a message dated 3/21/04 3:14:16 PM, NBuck4149@AOL.COM writes:
> >
> > << 40 piece set from Harbor Freight and have been pleased with the quality and
> > variety. So far they have been good enough for cleaning threads and the
> > occasional new hole. Hard to go wrong for $10. >>
> >
> > The problem with this grade of tool is that they will fail when they are
> > needed the most.  A tap breaks most often when it is being backed out not when it
> > is cutting the threads.  And, as unlikely as it may sound, broken taps occur
> > in aluminum more often than in steel.  A cheap tap is an accident waiting to
> > happen and a broken tap causes all manner of lost effort.  Instead of buying a
> > set of junk taps mostly composed of sizes which will never be used, I think it
> > is much better to buy quality taps as they are needed.
> > Think Butterfield or
> > Cleveland Twist, not Ron Fu.
> >
> > George
> Hi All,
> I agree with George 100% !
> That said;
> Always use a good quality tapping fluid, not just any old oil, or what have you!
> Also, there is a special tapping fluid made just for aluminum, works better.
> When you are tapping a hole, size the hole correctly for
> the application you are doing.
> there may be three recommended hole sizes,
> for the correct percentage of threads required,
> and for the metal, or material being tapped.
> Important, and especially with the cheap taps,
> Clean the tap as you go!
> that is, go in a little,
> then back out a lot.
> squirt some tap fluid,
> do again,
> repeat till finished.
> Make sure the tap is square to the work,
> keep it straight, &
> Keep the pressure even on the tap handle.
> Try to avoid using crescent wrenches etc.
> John C.
> SLC, UT
> PS;
> broke more taps in my day, than I care to admit! :)