nategr8ns

thanks, but I don't think that will even pay for an etching tool for dremel/drill

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CattleRustler

depends on the tap bit. you might want to go thru
is this for acrylic tapping?
how thick is the sheet?

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nategr8ns

1/2" acrylic, and I don't have a tap bit yet.

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CattleRustler

well, i'd go at least 1/4 to 3/8, that will guarantee the threads are cut deep enough. the cutters near the tap bit's tip are not full cut so you have to actually go past the depth (1/8 in your case) a little bit to full cut thread to the 1/8 mark from the top of the hole - does that make sense?

I think they have "bottoming taps" where you could drill to depth and the tap will cut full threads to the "bottom", not sure. And there may be special taps for acrylic/plastics, so double check. I am sure the mcmaster will have what you need

oh and I dunno about tapping fluid on acrylic mate, check into that. I can almost promise you cant use regular metal tap fluid on acryilic, with its nasty petroleum distilates and such :yak:

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nategr8ns

yeah CR, it makes perfect sense .
I wasn't even aware you had to use tapping fluid
Does it soften the metal? Or just prevent it from heating up?

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CattleRustler

it reduces heat and friction and gets cleaner cuts. I use tapping fluid now on all metal cuts and drilling, not just taps. For acrylic you probably dont need fluid. I was just commenting that you couldnt use the metals fluids on acrylic in any circumstance, it would probably destroy the material. Let me know if you find special tap bits for acrylic.

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wastedtime

You can actually TAP acrylic fairly easily with a TAP Drill. But if the drill is too fast the acrylic will melt and destroy the TAP

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CattleRustler

Actually you dont need a drill at all, well except for the initial hole, the tap "drill" is really a hand turned L or T shaped hand tool (at least on the lil kit I have, I am sure there are larger industrial applications that use powered tapping) which you turn like you would a screw. Once the tap bit bites the material it just literally screws down thru the tap grooves its creating. I have noticed that once the tap bit comes thru the other side of the material, after about 1/3 of the bit is poking thru the tap is finished, you feel the resistance suddenly lower. Then you just unscrew the tool and bingo, youre done. I am sure the same technique can be used on acrylic - in fact I will try a tap on cast acrylic this weekend and post the results in my Intelligence thread

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nategr8ns

thanks CR

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CattleRustler

Nate I posted the acrylic tapping results in The Intelligence thread (day 15 update)

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