Source for Forming Taps?

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PlaceKnives

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I was recently turned on to Forming Taps by Bill Seigle and was wondering if anyone knew of a source for these? I did a quick internet search and didn't find any companies that would just sell one or 2 taps. I'm looking for a 10-32 or 12-24, 1/4-20 is the largest I would want to go.

Thanks in advance,

J. Place
 
All the industrial suppliers will carry them (J&L, MSC, McMaster, Travers).

Forming taps are used in all materials. You see them in aluminum often because the threads are formed by displacing metal and not being cut which makes them stronger. The other big advantage is no chips are being made which have to be dealt with - as in blind hole applications or anytime chip evacuation is an issue when machining a part.

Don't use your tap drill chart for cut threads, the holes will be too small. You use a different drill size for form taps. Here's a chart online: http://www.carbidedepot.com/formulas-tap-form.htm

George
 
Thanks for the help guys. I'm looking to tap some 1/4" thick 440C and 1095 and Bill Seigle said not to use the regular taps as they will break. He recommended the forming taps instead. Hope they work.
 
PlaceKnives,gspam1 is right on.The first time i used formtaps ,I made a large inspection plate ( out of H13 ,real tough stuff ) in a Mazak VTC that had 120 blind 1/4-20 holes in it . Everytime the spindle reversed direction the tap would bark out a loud snap :eek: . I've used them quite often since and the "snap" seems to be something I never get used to ( yeh , you'll probably hear it too . The only tip I can give you is - use gspam1's chart & definately use oil not coolant oil. You'll love them if for nothing else , the lack of chips-great thread quality too.:thumbup:
 
Actaully I said not to use the Ace hardware type stuff :) Here's a pic of what I use. I was told they were forming taps but the box doesn't say fer sher. I get em from an industrial suppy house in Portland. They work great and with the clearance behind the threads, I can tap on my drill press :)
 
OH . Bill , I don't think that looks like a form tap.I can't say for sure from the pic ,but ,FWIW they do work well for me .
 
Thanks for clearing that up for me Bill. After I broke an Ace hardware tap in the base plate of a 1911 magazine I swore never to use them on anything but mild metals and plastics. Thanks again everybody.
 
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