Finally stopped crashing taps after 3 years of guessing

Last week I had a job running 304 stainless on a Haas VF-2, and I kept breaking M6 taps every 15 parts. I tried different speeds, peck cycles, even changed coolant mix. Then a guy from the shop next door told me to check my peck depth, turns out I was going way too deep per step. I cut it from 3mm to 1.5mm and ran 200 parts without a single snap. Has anyone else had a simple adjustment fix a problem you fought for months?

3 comments

3 Comments

seana141mo ago

I mean, you were breaking taps every 15 parts and that's a big problem sure, but it sounds like you just had a really dumb mistake to fix. Three years of guessing and it was just peck depth? That's on you for not trying a smaller step earlier. I've seen guys chase worse issues for weeks and it's never that simple though.

wesley87321d ago

Man, 15 parts isn't that bad for chasing a problem for three years. Sounds like you overcomplicated something simple, but honestly tapping stainless is always a pain no matter what you do.

sanchez.robin1mo ago

Buddy of mine had the same deal with some weird chatter on a lathe, drove him nuts for six months. Turned out his insert was just a hair past its life and a fresh one fixed everything.