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Drilling and tapping stainless
At some point in the next week or two, I'll want to drill and tap a
dozen holes into stainless steel tube, this is 2mm wall thickness, 42mm diameter handrail, I'll have a 100-200mm offcut to practice on. Now, we didn't do metalworking at school, so I'm lacking in the basics, but a bit of searching seems to suggest ... For M5 bolts, use a 4.2mm drill, assuming it's 0.8mm course pitch (need to check) hopefully an 18V cordless drill/driver isn't going to struggle? Drill slowly to avoid work-hardening Lubricate (use WD40 at a push) As I'm tapping through, rather than into, the steel use a spiral point, rather than spiral flute, tap. What flavour of HSS (cobalt, vanadium, extra vanadium, nitride/oxide coating etc) does the tap need to be to cope with 304 stainless? I see 1/4" hex shank taps are available, e.g. http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/threading-taps/6699384 Will these work OK in the drill/driver? Or should I hand tap? Given I'm unlikely to ever want/need a full tap/die set, can you buy screwdriver or T-handle style single taps? Any other tips appreciated. |
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