To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Where to purchase single high quality taps?

A

AceofSpad3s

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 1, 2014
Messages
1,808
Hello, I need one tap to mount a motor to the motor mount on my tablesaw. Yesterday I bought a **** load of stuff at a estate sale for $45, (including 2 indexes full of huot drill bits which I needed) and I managed to snag a tap and tap handle. The tap is 1/4-20uss, I managed to install a 7/16 head bolt into motor but I was unable to really tighten it down enough to work. On the old motor a 1/2 head bolt was installed and it held well so I am going to need a tap large enough for that, but I know jack **** about taps so I don't know what the size would be or where to get one. I see a snap on truck once in a while in my area so I was thinking about picking one up there but I do not know if trucks stock single taps. So, where could I get a single quality tap large enough to install a 1/2 head bolt, for under $10?
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
I

Ign

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 7, 2006
Messages
12,769
Location
Butte Peak ND
1/2" head = 5/16. Coarse is 5/16-18, fine is 5/16-24.

There ARE other possibilities, like heavy hex, specialty fasteners, etc, but we're gonna assume you're working w basic stuff.

Taps?? Use-Enco.com. !! Free ship and 20% off right now. Codes are in the Hot Deals forum on this board. At Enco's site click on the Hot Deals icon (no relation to the Hot Deals forum here) and go to Cutting Tools. Anything that's not "import" or "Interstate" is quality.
 
OP
A

AceofSpad3s

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 1, 2014
Messages
1,808
Ign said:
1/2" head = 5/16. Coarse is 5/16-18, fine is 5/16-24.

There ARE other possibilities, like heavy hex, specialty fasteners, etc, but we're gonna assume you're working w basic stuff.

Taps?? Use-Enco.com. !! Free ship and 20% off right now. Codes are in the Hot Deals forum on this board. At Enco's site click on the Hot Deals icon (no relation to the Hot Deals forum here) and go to Cutting Tools. Anything that's not "import" or "Interstate" is quality.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I buy my hardware at tractor supply so it is nothing fancy. Would I have to drill the hole slightly bigger to fit the larger tap because it is a 1/4 or would the tap do the work? Also do any other of the search terms matter? I got this far and I don't know what to choose for things Chamfer Style, Ground Thread Limit, and series.
http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRAR2?PMSECT=731&PMADID=SI0000022474&PMAVID=97
 
M

metaldad

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 2, 2011
Messages
7,755
Location
nw indiana
AceofSpad3s said:
Thanks, I buy my hardware at tractor supply so it is nothing fancy. Would I have to drill the hole slightly bigger to fit the larger tap because it is a 1/4 or would the tap do the work? Also do any other of the search terms matter? I got this far and I don't know what to choose for things Chamfer Style, Ground Thread Limit, and series.
http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRAR2?PMSECT=731&PMADID=SI0000022474&PMAVID=97
Click to expand...

Picture5.png
 
T

theoldwizard1

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 22, 2011
Messages
43,156
Location
SE MI
If you know the manufacturer (like Norseman) and the part number, check Amazon.

1/2-13 is a very common size. Lot's of them on eBay.
 
T

ttpete

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 8, 2011
Messages
6,737
Location
Dearborn, MI
Don't buy carbon steel taps. High Speed Steel (HSS) is the best. Be careful if you buy a set, most are carbon steel.
 
D

drchinn

Member
Joined
Dec 30, 2014
Messages
22
Locally if you have a Fastenal you should be able to find one and it will have the drill size on it. They have a pretty good selection of metric, standard, course, fine, and sometimes extra fine. I use to go there a lot for onesies twosies of stuff. Also if your close to a Lowes you should be able to find a Irwin one might be a little harder to find fine or extra fine.
 
H

hickfied

Well-known member
Joined
May 21, 2012
Messages
223
Location
W-NC
My local Lowes stopped carrying single taps years ago. Don't think they even carry a full set now.

However, my local Ace does carry single taps.
 
D

dr_clyde

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 7, 2009
Messages
6,444
Location
Holland, MI
Any industrial supply worth it's salt will have taps and the corresponding drill. OSG, CTD, Union Butterfield, and Morse all make good taps.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
R

RedneckWelder

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 12, 2013
Messages
5,703
Location
The Ghetto Kingdom of Methlandia
All of the Lowes in my area carry single pack taps and small sets from Irwin. They ain't too bad. WAY better than the cheap **** from HF and similar.

You can also pick up a couple of thread pitch gauges at Lowes from Irwin. I keep SAE and Metric gauges and a caliper in my toolbox for thread ID on fasteners, hydraulic hose couplings, etc.

Personally, though, I prefer HSS from the various industrial brands.

I buy all of my taps on Ebay. Cripes Distributing has been selling Bosch labeled taps (US, HSS) and I brought several and have been satisfied.

Do be careful. Some of the brands out there that were traditionally high quality US brands are no more. Vermont American, for example. Chinese now.

If you need a local source quickly, Fastenal carries Taps (no idea of their quality or price) and Northern Tool carries Japanese made taps that look to be good quality for a reasonable price.
 
Last edited:
L

larry_g

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 28, 2007
Messages
16,879
Location
oregon
Here is one of those questions where location is important. You have no clue to what you are doing and need a bit of help. I'd be glad to help you out if you were local. On the other hand the head size of a fastener only gives a good guess as to what threads are on the shank, and your guessing at the motor.

Tapping holes is a learned process and takes some mentoring to get it right. You have to start with drilling the correct sized hole, champhering the top, selecting the correct tap depending on the material being tapped and if the hole is through or blind. In some cases you have to use two different taps to thread the same hole.

The Starrett chart posted above gives you the drill size for the tap you use. Now you need to KNOW the thread size and pitch on the fastener.

lg
no neat sig line
 
I

Ign

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 7, 2006
Messages
12,769
Location
Butte Peak ND
AceofSpad3s said:
Thanks, I buy my hardware at tractor supply so it is nothing fancy. Would I have to drill the hole slightly bigger to fit the larger tap because it is a 1/4 or would the tap do the work? Also do any other of the search terms matter? I got this far and I don't know what to choose for things Chamfer Style, Ground Thread Limit, and series.
http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRAR2?PMSECT=731&PMADID=SI0000022474&PMAVID=97
Click to expand...

Don't worry about ground thread limit, completely irrelevant for what you're doing.

I'd aim for hand taps if you find one at a price you like. Or spiral point (not spiral flute) are great if it's a thru-hole.

I'd shoot for a taper tap unless it's a blind hole and threads have to go near the bottom. A plug tap will work fine, too. If you're only using ONE tap, I'd avoid bottoming.

Cilff notes: thread limit, ignore. Hand tap or spiral point. Taper or plug.

The only really important thing is to get the right size and thread pitch (most likely coarse if you're buying basic stuff at TSC). It's not as complicated as it seems :thumbup:
 
OP
A

AceofSpad3s

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 1, 2014
Messages
1,808
Ign said:
Don't worry about ground thread limit, completely irrelevant for what you're doing.

I'd aim for hand taps if you find one at a price you like. Or spiral point (not spiral flute) are great if it's a thru-hole.

I'd shoot for a taper tap unless it's a blind hole and threads have to go near the bottom. A plug tap will work fine, too. If you're only using ONE tap, I'd avoid bottoming.

Cilff notes: thread limit, ignore. Hand tap or spiral point. Taper or plug.

The only really important thing is to get the right size and thread pitch (most likely coarse if you're buying basic stuff at TSC). It's not as complicated as it seems :thumbup:
Click to expand...
Thanks, that really simplifies the process. The bolts are definitely coarse. How fast shipping from enco? Also how long is the free sh/ 20% running for?
 
T

Tim37

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 11, 2014
Messages
560
A 5/16-18 or 5/16-24 are both fairly common sizes most hardware store parts stores or industrial supply houses will have one.

I wouldn't worry too much about seeking our a HSS tap it doesnt sound like your gonna use it a lot.

One thing they will ask at a bolt supply or industrial supply place is tapered plug or bottoming if the hole goes all the way through then get a taper tap if its a blind hole get a set of three then work your way fron the tapper tap to he bottoming tap. Also they may ask if you need a spiral tap you don't just take your time you also need some tapping fluid (wd40 will do the trick)

Good luck
 
B

Banjorear

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 22, 2013
Messages
1,879
Location
Essex Co., NJ
How about some high quality metric taps? I was in a pinch yesterday and had to purchase a small set from Sears. They are imported. Got the job done, but I'd like to find better quality units.
 
C

carbon

Well-known member
Joined
May 31, 2009
Messages
237
This guy is the cat's ***. Part 1 of 3 on tapping:



Edit:

Also these from the same guy:

 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom