"Randy333" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 10 Jan 2013 10:28:30 -0700, "Bob La Londe"
wrote:


Does a spiral point tap (assume both are sharp) cut as easy as a spiral
flute tap?


Most S.P. taps are plug style, while most S.F. taps are bottom or
semi-bottom style. I find S.F. taps take a little more power because
of this. I usually don't like using S.F. taps because of this,
especially in harder materials, Maybe because I'm still little old
school and was taught to only use a bottom tap to finish holes that
were already tapped close to bottom. Just scares me to run a bottom
tap into a peice of steel under power.

I never used a forming tap in anything other than aluminum, what is
the hardness of the brass. Maybe it's just not malleable enough?

That sounds about spot on. After doing more research it seems only dead
soft brass is suitable for forming.