I'm just about to install my touch hole liner, and am wondering what tapping fluid might be? Somehow this stuff has passed me by. I've done all my other tapping without lubrication. Should I be using some standard lubricant, and if so what? Thanks.
Tapping fluid
- Thread starter aragorn
- Start date
Help Support Muzzleloading Forum:
If you go about tapping alot of holes, then thread cutting fluid is a wonderful thing, I would go as far to say is a must. I hand cut a lot of threads making the worms and what nots, and regular oil does not act like the cutting fluid. You will end up with cleaner looking threads as well you will find it easier and smoother with the thread cutting fluid.
Strider,
I was a Journeyman Tool And Die Machinist for 35 years and never used anything but thin machine oil like 3 in 1 for regular sized threads. When I needed to tap something small like a 8-32, 6-32 or even smaller then I used a special thread cutting lubricant. On a thread size as big as your vent liner a special lubricant shouldn't be necessary.
Randy Hedden
I was a Journeyman Tool And Die Machinist for 35 years and never used anything but thin machine oil like 3 in 1 for regular sized threads. When I needed to tap something small like a 8-32, 6-32 or even smaller then I used a special thread cutting lubricant. On a thread size as big as your vent liner a special lubricant shouldn't be necessary.
Randy Hedden
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2004
- Messages
- 1,715
- Reaction score
- 526
Any ole motor oil will work just fine.
IMO, you should use some kind of lubricant.
The only material which should be tapped without some kind of lubricant is Cast Iron.
If you don't want to risk breaking the tap when threading steel, you really should use either lard or a special thread cutting oil which contains sulfur (that's available at almost all hardware stores for a few bucks).
The sulfur in the oil keeps the chips from welding themselves to the tap and locking things up.
I think using a thread cutting oil is especially important if your tapping small holes with #4, #6 or #8 threads.
Risking a broken or stuck tap is a high price to pay for not using the right kind of lubricant.
If your tapping aluminum by the way, Kerosene or Turpentine is recommended.
The only material which should be tapped without some kind of lubricant is Cast Iron.
If you don't want to risk breaking the tap when threading steel, you really should use either lard or a special thread cutting oil which contains sulfur (that's available at almost all hardware stores for a few bucks).
The sulfur in the oil keeps the chips from welding themselves to the tap and locking things up.
I think using a thread cutting oil is especially important if your tapping small holes with #4, #6 or #8 threads.
Risking a broken or stuck tap is a high price to pay for not using the right kind of lubricant.
If your tapping aluminum by the way, Kerosene or Turpentine is recommended.
flashpanner
45 Cal.
- Joined
- Dec 31, 2004
- Messages
- 564
- Reaction score
- 0
My personal favorite is Tap Magic. It comes in two varities, one for steel, and one for aluminum. I have gotten it from McMaster-Carr. They are sometimes available from places like Ace Hardware, or Orchard Hardware and supply. Great stuff. I like it better than that black coffee looking cutting oil. ATF is also good tap fluid for aluminum.
Guest
:thumbsup: I agree Tap magic works great!!!!!!!!
