Tools That Tap
When customers require tapping a hole, we would like a cost-effective hole that is also of high quality and precision. This is often easier said than done - especially when it comes to mass-producing thousands of tapped holes.
However, the secret to a tapped hole with the least cost is to tap it so that the part threads easily without abrasion and at the same time, not over-form the rolled threads. This implies that a perfect tap drill is a combination of economics, accuracy, and tool life.
For decades, Balax has been known for “Made in America” high-performance taps and thread formers that are designed to achieve the highest quality threads while increasing productivity and reducing costs. Here are four, high-performance tools by Balax in our inventory that are essential to produce the best-tapped holes:
1. Thread Forming Taps - THREADFLOERS
Thread Forming taps, also called roll form taps, cold forming taps or Balax’s Threadfloers, create threads by displacing metal along the edges of the threaded hole. Because the threads are press formed, there are no chips to interfere with the tapping process and the metal is stronger because the metal grains are compressed versus cut out.
Balax has two proprietary form taps Thredfloers tools. They are the Standard Threadfloer and the Carbide Tipped Threadfloer:
Standard Threadfloers
The real benefit of the Thredfloer forming tap comes out in higher volume production runs due to the forming of the metal vs the cutting of the metal. It allows you to produce more threads with less downtime and better resulted tapped holes with greater break torque values.
An example of this is the 19287-00T. It is a larger size of a Balax standard Thredfloer. This one has a nominal M16 x 2 Thread size and is made from solid High-Speed Steel (HSS). Has a TiN (Titanium Nitride) coating for increased resistance to corrosion, higher hardness, and improved lubricity over non-coated tools.
As you can see in the image above, due to the size of this forming tool, Balax integrated a lubrication cannel through the treads allowing for and extended tool life, the innovation continues!
Carbide Inserted Form Taps Thredfloers
Carbide inserted taps are a new breed of tap that includes a replaceable solid carbide insert in the tip of the tap. This makes it more economical than solid carbide taps because less carbide blank material is required. Carbide Inserted Taps may also be used in multi-spindle applications where breakage of solid carbide taps is a concern.
This means less wear on the tap body so it can last longer. When you experience breakage in your tap on difficult material, you don’t have to start all over again with a new tap; instead, you can just replace the insert. Carbide inserted forming tap uses a single-point tool geometry with a carbide insert. The advantage of this tool is that a single point geometry ensures the long life of the insert.
An example of this is the 18871-010 Carbide Inserted Thredfloer by Balax. It is a high-quality threadfloer with a carbide insert which benefits from the torsional strength of a High Speed Steel (HSS) tap body combined with the exceptional wear resistance of carbide in the areas where all the tapping work is done.
2. Cutting Taps - THREADSHAVERS
This is one of the most commonly used taps. Because they are designed to physically cut through material, cutting taps generate chips that must be removed from the material while taping the hole to clear the flutes making it possible for the tap to cut freely again.
One of the best versions of Cutting Tap is the Thredshavers by Balax. An example of this is the 43036-01T.
What makes these great is the unique design that allows it to be used in both through holes and blind holes. Blind holes being where one side of the material is inaccessible. The tap will start cutting on contact, allowing you to use the tap to cut threads without first drilling a pilot hole. It also eliminates the need for starting taps in most applications.
The unique shaver design provides a close-tolerance thread, which results in stronger threads.
The flutes in Thredshaver taps have a chip breaker that works well on tough materials such as stainless steel, titanium alloys, Inconel alloys, cast, and iron.
Additionally, Thredshavers cutting Tap from Balax will produce threads in a hole that has been previously formed with a form tool, such as round split die, or by thread rolling.
3. Thread Gages – TAPERLOCKS
Thread gauges like the Taperlock are essential tool used to determine the size and pitch of a thread that's on a screw, fastener, or any other mechanical piece. They are often used by mechanics and engineers when assembling parts. Gauges can be used to ensure that the threads on two mating parts are compatible, thus guaranteeing that they will fit together properly. It is also possible to measure the pitch or lead of a thread with a gauge.
Like the 91320-000 Thread Gage by Balax, all the Thread Gages come with a CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION furnished with actual fifth place (.00000) measurements of pitch diameter and major diameter to guarantee the accuracy of your gage to Class-X tolerance levels.