| By :
William Gabriel
Cutting or threading a hole is only as easy as the person doing it allows. Also, the equipment used for these processes is only as useful as the person holding it allows it to be. People have a laissez-faire attitude towards creating or fixing holes which may explain why it is done incorrectly half the time. Place a reamer or tap and die in the hands of an expert and you will end up with a perfectly cleaned or threaded hole every time. Do the same with an inexperienced user and you'll have a damaged hole and possibly broken equipment. This means that you have to so some research on each piece of equipment before you buy or else you will end up grossly out of pocket with incomplete projects. Strictly speaking, a tap and die is not a single tool but a pair used for different functions. They are both used for threading and will produce a great result if used correctly. A tap will cut a thread on the inside of a hole which will end up creating a surface that resembles a nut. Most taps are used by hand but are very susceptible to breakage because their edge is brittle due to the heating treatment used to make them sharp. As long as you use the 'T' handle and do not twist vigorously, high quality taps will not break. When threading a hole, metal strips will come out and should be removed by pulling the tap out. By doing this, you will prevent crowding which is a major factor in breakages. The die is used when crossed threads are in need of repair. It is imperative that you use lubricant when tapping and reaming. Attempting to run the die down a shaft without oil is likely to result in it getting stuck. In this instance, dragging it back out will often result in it breaking. The type of lubricant that should be used when utilizing a tap and die depends on the material being threaded. For example, brass should be accompanied by kerosene while carbon steel requires a petroleum based cutting oil. When threading cast iron, no lubricant is needed as an air blast should be used to remove debris instead. Reamers offer one of the best solutions when trying to create an accurate hole. They have a long cylindrical body and have hard cutting edges. Like a tap and die, a reamer needs to be used carefully and correctly. If you try to take out large amounts of metal from a hole, you are likely to damage the reamer. Also, a reamer should never be reversed when in motion as this will cause the cutting edges to become dull. Normally, the process of reaming is done with a drill press but it is also possible to use a lathe. Whether you are using reamers, a tap or a die, correct usage will result in accurate holes that have been properly cleaned and threaded. Failure to follow the instructions however is asking for trouble, messed up projects and expensive repairs to your machinery.
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