broken tap removal tool

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liveaboard
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broken tap removal tool

Post by liveaboard »

The stupidest thing a machinist can do; break a tap!
This one actually broke when I was taking it out, I never had that happen before.
I suppose that's why you're not supposed to use a drill to drive the tap.

Anyway, as dumb as i am for breaking it, I'm feeling pretty clever about this tool I made to remove it with.
It was broken into 3 parts and the last one was pretty deep.
I made this with a micro-tool, from a 5mm drill shank.

I pounded it loose first, and tickled it out with care.
broken tap removal tool.jpg
chief
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Re: broken tap removal tool

Post by chief »

Nice job creating the tool and getting the broken tap out.
Some times I think you can break a tap just by looking at it wrong. LoL
Terry
John Evans
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Re: broken tap removal tool

Post by John Evans »

I'll have to remember that trick ,clever!! It probably would not have worked as well with a 4 flute tap. But, a great idea for 2-3 flute taps.
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STRR
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Re: broken tap removal tool

Post by STRR »

There are tap extractors in both three and four flute styles. They have saved my caboose more than once.

https://www.mcmaster.com/tap-extractors/

Glad you got it out. One of the best feelings in the world.

Cheers,
Terry
LIALLEGHENY
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Re: broken tap removal tool

Post by LIALLEGHENY »

In a perfect world those Walton tap extractors work fine....but.....if the tap shatters into many pieces when it breaks, which frequently happens, the bits actually dig into the wall and prevent the tap extractor from working. Couldn't tell you how many taps I have had to drill out with a carbide endmill....even that is a PITA .

Nyle
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Harold_V
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Re: broken tap removal tool

Post by Harold_V »

Brings back memories of my years working at Sperry. EDM's were a relatively new concept and hadn't been well developed. Elox used the concept to remove broken taps. The machine used small diameter copper tubing, the size determined by the tap involved. The idea was to burn out the core of the tap, leaving behind the teeth, which were then picked out. Not all that hard to do with the core removed. Countless numbers of parts were salvaged by that machine.

Nice job of getting the tap out, liveaboard.

H
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liveaboard
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Re: broken tap removal tool

Post by liveaboard »

Thanks;
I was pretty sure I wasn't the first to have the idea.
Of course, now I can toss the tool into the scrap barrel, because I'll definitely NEVER break another tap.

I think I remember saying that before...
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Greg_Lewis
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Re: broken tap removal tool

Post by Greg_Lewis »

And somehow the break is always at or below the work surface so you can't grab it with needle nose and wiggle it loose.
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Eyeball Engineering — Home of the dull toolbit.
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Celebrating 35 years of turning perfectly good metal into bits of useless scrap.
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