[Chuck Reamer]

Hey all, I am just wondering what is your favorite tapping fluid?

I have been using Rapid Tap for a little while now and its alright, but nothing special. For drilling I am using a blend of Rapid Tap and Rigid Nu-clear cutting oil, the blend is to make it a little thicker. This works really well for drilling, and is alright for tapping.

At a shop I worked for in the past we used Cromtap, this stuff work VERY well. The problem is that I don't think they make it anymore, or at least I have never seen it around.

My Rapid Tap has nearly ran out and I am looking to try something else. There are so many different kinds out there I figured that I should get input from all of you. After all we are the ones using the stuff every day.

[wms]

"Tap Magic Pro Tap"..is the best all round I've found..

Not to high on the regular Tap Magic..just the "Pro Tap".

[DareBee]

Interestingly enough, my favourite is the same as WMS^
Been buying it for 10 years.

[Pressfit]

Castrol Moly-Dee is the best I have ever seen for superalloys like Ti, and Inconel, 17-4,15-5...etc. Expensive though but well worth every drop.

[JROM]

I have found that Tapmatic and alot of the zoomy tapping fluids out there tend to etch the taps and dull them very quickly. So here is what I would like to see you try. And this is the cheapest way to go!

Alu. Kerosene or colman fuel this really works well.

steel Use a black sulfer based cutting oil Mobil makes a good one and cheap

stainless steel and other tough material buy a 16oz bottle of Castrol Moly-Dee. one bottle will last you your whole life. It's smelly but it works.

[Chuck Reamer]

Thanks guys, I don't tap much stainless or inconel usually 4140 or P20. Aluminum is not to bad and I don't do very much of it, I tend to use the same as I use for steel.

I think that I will try the Tap Magic Pro Tap, or may be able to get a small enough bottle of sulfur based oil. There is a place in town that sells all sorts of lubricants, they might have a gallon sized jug of it.

[kirkln]

Castrol Moly-Dee is the best I have ever seen for superalloys like Ti, and Inconel, 17-4,15-5...etc. Expensive though but well worth every drop.

I searched ebay I cannot find the moly-dee anywhere where can I get it I am tapping 10-24 holes .625 deep in 304 I need all the help I can get Thanks Kirk

[Pressfit]

I searched ebay I cannot find the moly-dee anywhere where can I get it I am tapping 10-24 holes .625 deep in 304 I need all the help I can get Thanks Kirk

http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT...MT4NO=43467837


J&l probably has it also. You might be able to find it locally at an area tool supplier

[davereagan]

I have used Tap Magic with EP extra for over five years now and love it. I can't say I've tried many others, because I've been so happy with it. I did use the traditional sulfur chlorinated dark oil before, but it's a mess and smells strong. The Tap Magic has a smell I kind of like. I had a job milling 316 stainless and I remembered the brochure said "without equal" on stainless and they were right. I was using brand new free cutting inserts and could not get a clean cut; it kept pulling up and leaving a rough surface, no matter what speed or feed I used. I covered the 15" x 40" piece with the Tap Magic and problem solved. I used it for tapping mild steel, 4140 HT and 6150 Annealed. I did have a job tapping 160 blind 1/2"-13 holes in 316 stainless, and for that I used their Tap Magic Xtra Thick, and I got the whole job done with one Vega Vanadium TiN coated tap, which I still use. If you are breaking taps, the difference between one oil and another is probably not enough. I would go with a different tap or a larger hole. It has taken me a lot of broken taps to be willing to drill a bigger hole on blind holes. I always feel like I am cheating, but the .005"-.010" larger hole makes a huge difference in torque, especially in holes 1/4" and under, which are the ones that break most often. The threads still hold up and everyone is happy. The other thing is how often to break the chip, even with work hardening stainless. I have heard people say don't break the chip, but that has not been my experience. If I didn't reverse every .250", I would never have gotten 160 holes 1" deep from one 1/2"-13 tap in that especially nasty batch of 316.

Dave

[kirkln]

I have always used pro tap but I want to see if moly dee is any better another thing that should be mentioned about small holes under 1/4" is that I never use 4 flute taps most of the time 2 flute alot less prone to breaking

Thanks for the link pressfit got it coming

[CarsonD]

Another one to try is Emuge Tapping Fluid.

We used it at a shop that used only cut taps because we manufactured high vacuum systems. The stuff worked great for 304.

It wasn't so much like a harsh chemical base product. It seemed more like some sort of sticky food product that just happened to work good for tapping. At least that was my impression of it.

I think the true test as a tapping fluid would be how well it worked for role taps.

EMUGE TAPPING FLUID - 16 oz bottle | www.cetoolsupply.com