Any experience with OSG taps?

[Erin Burke]

I just bought a box of (12) new OSG 2-56 H3 thread-forming taps on EBay this afternoon. The taps are listed as steam oxide coated. I plan on running these mainly in through-holes in ~0.13" 6al-4v Ti with my Tapmatic 30X. I've never heard of OSG before, but at $1.75 a piece (after shipping), I'm hoping these things will do the trick.

This will be my first time:

1. Using my tapmatic.
2. Tapping titanium.
3. Tapping something as small as 2-56.

From some informative post here at BF, I figure that I'll drill at 5/64" and tap using Molydee lube.

So I guess my questions are:

1. Does anyone have experience with OSG taps?
2. Is a steam oxide coating going to cause any problems in Ti?
3. Does anyone have recommendations on a reasonable torque setting for the 30X tapping 2-56 in a 5/64" hole? Should I just start low and work my way up? (This question probably highlights my inexperience with the tapmatic.)
4. Are there any obvious problems with my approach?

I have a few days until taps and molydee arrive... so lots of time to churn it over in my brain.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Fellhoelter]

OSG makes a fine Tap.

Use lube, I run about 500 RPM, set your torque low, and work your way up.

Practice in a scrap piece first.

BTW, really good score for $21. good thing I didn't see them, that's enough to last for years...

 

[Erin Burke]

OSG makes a fine Tap.

Use lube, I run about 500 RPM, set your torque low, and work your way up.

Practice in a scrap piece first.

BTW, really good score for $21. good thing I didn't see them, that's enough to last for years...

Thanks Brian... I think it was one of your posts from a while back that made me lean toward 5/64".

 

[Nathan the Machinist]

OSG is a great cutting tool company. Their Blizzard carbide endmills are my favorite tool for high speed machining of aluminum and plastics. I don't do a lot of tapping, but I've used their taps before and have been quite happy with them. They make taps for Ti, stainless, hard and soft steel, aluminum etc. Who knows what you got...

Speed is your friend with small taps. With the right machine, a person might tap those holes at 3,000 RPM.

 

[Big Chris]

I have to agree with Nathan the Machinist, OSG makes a fine tap. We use them in our shop when we are working with pre-hard material or some cast materials as they seem to hold up a lot better than the standard taps we use for cold and hot rolled steel.

 

[Erin Burke]

Thanks guys... awesome info. I'm excited to give this tapmatic a run. I has been sitting in a drawer for half-a-year because I didn't have any projects where I needed it. Now I do.