Broken tap... any advice?

ttboo · Sep 30, 2003

So I'm fitting my RE hack 'n' tap SYE over the weekend. Everything's gone fine - the hack went well, the drill went OK after I bought a decent bit, and the tapping was going fine, 3/4 the way in... and then the tap snapped. I was taking it nice and easy too, half-turn then backing out, proper tools, etc. As you can imagine, I'm not very happy about this... but then this damn Jeep likes taking every opportunity to kick me where it hurts.

Question is - what can I do about it? I tried center-punch with hammer to turn it out, but I'm just chipping away at the metal. Anyone got any bright ideas? Will I need to get another output shaft from somewhere?

TIA

Getcha_Sum · Sep 30, 2003

What size tap is it. How about tryin an ez-out.

useless · Sep 30, 2003

Drill it out. Use a small bit and step it up in sizes.

Sarge · Sep 30, 2003

Last one I broke I used my dremel tool and ground it out. Was much faster than the time before when I drilled, and drilled and drilled and drilled......

Sarge

Bronco · Sep 30, 2003

Go to http://www.mcmaster.com/ and lookup tap extractors. Get the right tool for the job and while your at is get yourself some Tap Magic and a new tap

JJ13 · Sep 30, 2003

yeah tap extractors work well...the tap was probably started a little crooked, that is usually what breaks them.

XJFREK · Sep 30, 2003

I don't have any experience in the use of tap extractors, but I've broken a couple screw extractors and can't recommend their usage at all. If you break one of those, good luck drilling out hardened steel.

mark268 · Sep 30, 2003

ttboo said:
So I'm fitting my RE hack 'n' tap SYE over the weekend. Everything's gone fine - the hack went well, the drill went OK after I bought a decent bit, and the tapping was going fine, 3/4 the way in... and then the tap snapped. I was taking it nice and easy too, half-turn then backing out, proper tools, etc. As you can imagine, I'm not very happy about this... but then this damn Jeep likes taking every opportunity to kick me where it hurts.

Question is - what can I do about it? I tried center-punch with hammer to turn it out, but I'm just chipping away at the metal. Anyone got any bright ideas? Will I need to get another output shaft from somewhere?

TIA

Jeeps, they kick my ass every time also.What a challenge, Thats why we love them !

The problem with taps, hardend steel ! Have fun. I have never used a tap extractor but things are easier with the proper tools. If anything, get some GOOD drill bits and start small drilling out then retap. Just my $.02

4ward · Sep 30, 2003

Never used a tap extractor myself either. Get a good small punch and start wailing on it. It'll break into pieces and come right out.

Sean

Bronco · Sep 30, 2003

Say it with me here folks Ta-p Ex-trac-tor.

2xtreme · Sep 30, 2003

Bronco said:
Ta-p Ex-trac-tor.

Did I get it right??

Beezil · Sep 30, 2003

tap extractors......

we have a full set since we have tapping operations here, and break taps on a regular basis.....

nothing works better.

JJ13 · Sep 30, 2003

Tap extractors....wish someone would have said that sooner....oh wait they did.

G E T A T A P E X T R A C T O R ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

5-90 · Sep 30, 2003

A few possibles...

1) Walton Tap Extractors - available from McMaster-Carr or MSC Direct (www.mcmaster.com or www.mscdirect.com.)

2) Torch. With patience and skill, it is possible to burn out a tap without damaging the part or threads (I've done it, but it's not terribly easy..)

3) EDM. Pretty much any machine shop with EDM capabilities can burn it right out for you as well.

5-90

lobsterdmb · Oct 1, 2003

just wondering if the tap extractor worked since i am now in the same boat.

John

ttboo · Oct 1, 2003

Thanks for the advice.

I'll think I try the tap extractor route first. Real busy at work this week, so it will have to wait till the weekend.

Cheers,

Broken tap... any advice?

ttboo

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Getcha_Sum

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useless

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Sarge

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Bronco

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