6-48 tap

Spcamno

Spcamno

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Anybody knows where I can pick up 6-48 tap for cheap in the GTA area?

I just need to chase the thread on one scope mount hole on the receiver so its just a one time use and really don't to want spend a fortune on it.

Thanks
 
"One time use", to chase a thread? You can sometimes make a "tap" by making a couple of relief cuts on a screw with a cutoff wheel in your Dremel. The high heat will harden the points a tad, enough to chase.
 
Lodi said:
"One time use", to chase a thread? You can sometimes make a "tap" by making a couple of relief cuts on a screw with a cutoff wheel in your Dremel. The high heat will harden the points a tad, enough to chase.
Click to expand...

The high heat will soften the metal, not harden it. Unless the metal is quenched while the area is red hot, it will not harden. The bolt idea works, but you need to keep keep the temperature change to a minimum. If any area starts to go yellow or blue (oxidization due to temperature) you run the risk of softening the bolt.
 
My post was by no means a tutorial. Most of the time when chasing mount threads the purpose of chasing is to remove leftover threadlocker, and for this purpose my suggestion works well. Yes, high heat can soften, but the duration of the cut is so short that cooling occurs very rapidly, especially at the points.

Blastattack, do you have a source for Grade 8 bolts in 6-48TPI? I've never needed them, but wouldn't mind adding the name to my list of suppliers.
 
Thank you gentlemen!

Since 6-48 is a very common tap for scope mounting will pick one up.

Any tips on which one to get, the regular or the bottom tap?

Thanks
 
Spcamno said:
Thank you gentlemen!

Since 6-48 is a very common tap for scope mounting will pick one up.

Any tips on which one to get, the regular or the bottom tap?

Thanks
Click to expand...

I would think that since your are already chasing an existing thread,
buy the bottoming tap.
I could prove to be more useful for you down the road.
 
kamlooky said:
I would think that since your are already chasing an existing thread,
buy the bottoming tap.
I could prove to be more useful for you down the road.
Click to expand...

The taps are cheap enough that you may as well buy a three piece set. While any tap will work to clean out a through hole, having a Bottoming, Plug, and Taper taps are much more useful if you plan an actually tapping drilled holes. Though this is a very small tap, and thus requires little effort to thread, there is a noticeable difference in torque when you attempt to do a through hole with a bottoming tap. Much easier on both you and the tap to run the Taper (if the thread is deep enough) followed by the Plug and Bottoming. Also far less likely to break your tap due to chips building up at the bottom of a hole.

TLDR: Cleaning an existing thread; any tap will do, with bottoming being the most applicable. Threading multiple holes, go for a 3 piece set; it will make your life a lot easier.
 
I'd be sure to use cutting fluid while doing this if I were you. That is a tiny little tap, much harder than the surrounding steel, and if it breaks off (flush, as they always do) you'll have a much larger problem on your hands. Use lots of fluid, back out frequently to clear chips, and go gently. At the first sign of binding, back out.

I own several (broken) 6-48 taps. Cutting into aluminum is the worst, as it builds up fast & locks the tap solid, without any option of backing out to avoid breakage. There is a special cutting fluid for aluminum - I now use it every time I tap, drill, lathe turn, etc. aluminum
 
mh434 said:
I'd be sure to use cutting fluid while doing this if I were you. That is a tiny little tap, much harder than the surrounding steel, and if it breaks off (flush, as they always do) you'll have a much larger problem on your hands. Use lots of fluid, back out frequently to clear chips, and go gently. At the first sign of binding, back out.

I own several (broken) 6-48 taps. Cutting into aluminum is the worst, as it builds up fast & locks the tap solid, without any option of backing out to avoid breakage. There is a special cutting fluid for aluminum - I now use it every time I tap, drill, lathe turn, etc. aluminum
Click to expand...

At our shop we use Rapid Tap for steel and A9 cutting fluid for Aluminum. Both work great. You usually don't need anything for cleaning up threads, but its a definite necessary for cutting threads.
 
KBC has the 6-48 plug taps fairly cheap and they're plenty good.
Other option is Taylor tool if you want a set.

For AL, WD-40 is your friend. For all else cooltool2 is my favorite, tried a bunch, keep coming back to it.
 
I have used beef tallow for cutting threads and tapping holes. Works well on steel.
For aluminium soapy water (liquid dish soap like dawn cut with water) or wd40.
 
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