On 2011-07-18, azotic wrote:

"Karl Townsend" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 17 Jul 2011 18:37:35 -0500, Ignoramus26063
wrote:

I have a few pipe taps for pipes ranging from 2 inch NPT to 5 inch
NPT. They are big, very heavy, and grimy, slightly rusted and very
dirty.

Boy, Tom Gardner couldn't stand to see you abuse a wire brush this
way!

With a little care and common sence, I don't see why not. That is run
the brush away from the cutting edge.

My question is, can I clean them with a motor mounted wire brush, or
will it be somehow deleterious to the cutting edges.

i

A brass brush would probobaly be the safest if your concerned
about the cutting edges.

Are those taps carbon steel or high speed steel ?

Carbon steel. See picture.

http://yabe.algebra.com/~ichudov/mis...e-Tap/0001.jpg