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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Posts
    156

    Drilling/tapping 6061

    I need to drill and tap a large number of holes. I bought some of the Balax forming taps to try and need to order drills for them.

    For you guys doing a lot of tapping in 6061 I'd appreciate some suggestions for the most cost effective drills. I'm doing exclusively #6-32, 1/4-20 & M6 x 1.0 so I only need three sizes.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Posts
    2580

    Just out of curiosity .....

    What sort of tapping head are you using for your tormach? I am getting ready to buy either a TTS Tension Compression or a Reversing head for my CNC'd RF45 mill? Also how do you like the head you are using? Peace

    Pete

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    1332
    Quote Originally Posted by kevperro View Post
    I need to drill and tap a large number of holes. I bought some of the Balax forming taps to try and need to order drills for them.

    For you guys doing a lot of tapping in 6061 I'd appreciate some suggestions for the most cost effective drills. I'm doing exclusively #6-32, 1/4-20 & M6 x 1.0 so I only need three sizes.
    I have tapped thousands of 4-40 blind holes in 6061-T6 using a Balax form tap and TTS mounted Procunier reversible tapping head on my Tormach. For drilling the hole I start by spot drilling, then use a parabolic drill with flood coolant. Parabolic drills work best in 6061-T6 IMO. BTW I use Relton A9 cutting fluid when tapping with Balax from taps in aluminum. For M6 and 1/4-20 blind holes I don't use forming taps but spiral flute taps so the chips come out the top. My Procunier 1E tapping head cannot tap 1/4 or M6 using a form tap.

    Don

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Posts
    156
    Quote Originally Posted by pete from TN View Post
    What sort of tapping head are you using for your tormach? I am getting ready to buy either a TTS Tension Compression or a Reversing head for my CNC'd RF45 mill? Also how do you like the head you are using? Peace

    Pete
    I like it once the code is written. I wish I had a CAM program that would just insert the code correctly.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Posts
    156
    Quote Originally Posted by Don Clement View Post
    I have tapped thousands of 4-40 blind holes in 6061-T6 using a Balax form tap and TTS mounted Procunier reversible tapping head on my Tormach. For drilling the hole I start by spot drilling, then use a parabolic drill with flood coolant. Parabolic drills work best in 6061-T6 IMO. BTW I use Relton A9 cutting fluid when tapping with Balax from taps in aluminum. For M6 and 1/4-20 blind holes I don't use forming taps but spiral flute taps so the chips come out the top. My Procunier 1E tapping head cannot tap 1/4 or M6 using a form tap.

    Don
    What do you use for a spotting drill? I was thinking my hole/countersink tool for the #6-32 holes would work great at spotting. It is a 1/2" shank and that would save a tool change and buying another holder.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    1332
    Quote Originally Posted by kevperro View Post
    What do you use for a spotting drill? I was thinking my hole/countersink tool for the #6-32 holes would work great at spotting. It is a 1/2" shank and that would save a tool change and buying another holder.
    I use is a 1/4" solid carbide spot drill that has no margin relief as a countersink does.
    http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...Spot-Drill.jpg

    I also use a parabolic drill after the spot drill in 6061-T6.
    http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...olic-drill.jpg

    Here is a picture of the Procunier reversible tapping head with the quick change tap holders.
    http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...erQuickPro.jpg

    This article on drilling might be of interest. http://www.mmsonline.com/articles/th...etter-drilling I wonder if the Tormach VFD spindle drive speed could be dithered so as to reduce harmonics and thus chatter when drilling? BTW I use a variable pitch blade on my bandsaw (4-6tpi) when cutting aluminum to reduce chatter. The variable pitch blade has a similar effect of reducing harmonic driven chatter as would dithering the spindle speed.

    Don

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