Depending on how far you are in get a punch and a big hammer and punch it
through
all the way from the best side. Then drill the hole for a heli-coil and go
ahead and put the screw in. By the way you should be using coarse threads for
soft material like aluminum. Use 10-24 and lubricant when tapping.
Steve Hagar
-----Original Message-----
>From: Fred Klein <fklein@orcasonline.com>
>Sent: Nov 18, 2011 7:14 PM
>To: europa-list@matronics.com
>Subject: Europa-List: broken tap
>
>
>Well...I feel like I just REALLY stepped in it.
>
>While carefully, slowly, tapping 10-32 threads in 1/2" thick aluminum,
>I've broken the tap.
>
>I needn't go into detail as to what I was attempting to accomplish,
>but it was in conjunction with providing bolts to the mono LG swing
>arm to which brackets supporting a portion of a fairing for the main
>wheel would attach.
>
>Not sure how to proceed, though I suspect I'm not the first to break a
>tap.
>
>I'm not optimistic of being able to drill out the tool steel of the
>broken tap, and even if that could be accomplished, my hunch is I'd
>end up having to use a larger bolt.
>
>One possibility would be to grind the portion of the embedded tap
>which is proud of the surface of the aluminum, alter the bends in the
>bracket, and drill a new hole (say) 2 diameters away from the existing
>partially-plugged hole.
>
>On the other hand, perhaps there is a well-recognized method for
>extracting the broken tap?
>
>Any suggestions?...anyone?
>
>Fred
>A194
>
>
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