Archived from the Tools In Action forum (Hand Tools). This thread is read-only.
What would be the average tool life of a hand tapping tool? For example like how many times can a hand tapping tool tap before it breaks?
So many variables… Are you re-tapping a hole or tapping brand new threads? What is the quality of the tap? What kind of lube are you using? I had some taps made by TRW that were the bomb, I used to run them with 1/2 impact gun to clean threads in exhaust manifolds and they did not break. But I think TRW stopped making tools a while back. I also have a Snap on set and would occasionally snap one. Stay with the higher quality ones that offer a free replacement guarantee, because over time they will break.
That is an unanswerable question. Tap quality, tap alloy, material being tapped, lube used, technique used all effect tap life. Carbon taps are more brittle than HSS. They also do not hold an edge as long. There are also many thread profiles for different materials and tapping situations.
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