Dissolving broken tap???

[Zamble]

In my Razor 10/22 I have a tap that broke in it. Can I put the receiver in my park tank and dissolve the tap without damaging the aluminum receiver?

[VytamenC Tactical]

i have had a lot of luck hitting broken taps with a plasma cutter, never damaged the threads and whats left of the tap has just fallen out

[Rock6.3]

NO.

Aluminum will be consumed by the acid in the park tank, and the tap will only get lightly etched.

[Zamble]

Damn. I don't have the skill or access to a plasma cutter.

[klewan]

Look up the local EDM guy, he'll burn it out without touching the aluminum. Electric Discharge Machining.

[ar15barrels]

Send the receiver out for anodizing.
The anodizing shop will hate you, but the anodizing chemicals will often disolve or partially disolve broken taps.

[SilentPea]

Are tap extractors a thing that no one recommends because they don't work, no one knows about them, or some other reason I can't think of?

Brownells link for many common gun screw sizes:

http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/general-gunsmith-tools/broken-tap-screw-extractors/broken-tap-extractor-prod15612.aspx

[nastyhabts26]

I have never had any luck with tap extractors doing automotive repairs.
Spent a lot of time and energy trying to drill out taps with expensive carbide drill bits with no success.
I always end up paying someone to burn it out, but I'm too stubborn to not try myself first.

[klewan]

Send the receiver out for anodizing.
The anodizing shop will hate you, but the anodizing chemicals will often disolve or partially disolve broken taps.

Don't the shop people inspect everything to look for junk in the bath? Contaminate a bath and there is hell to pay....Gets expensive having it hauled off and buy stuff for a new bath..

[Bastard]

your best bet would probably be to drill it out, tap extractors may work however it may be a size issue.


just curious, how did you manage to break a tap in aluminum?

[Gunsmith Dan]

The old fashion way to do it if it is a carbon steel TAP is to use a a center punch and hit the TAP until it shatters then pick out the pieces.

If it is a HHS TAP you use a Left hand , or Counter Clock Wise, drill bit and drill into it in reverse, which will cause the TAP to back out. Just make sure to soak it in Kroil or WD-40 for a hour or so to make sure it comes loose easy.

[kcstott]

Are tap extractors a thing that no one recommends because they don't work, no one knows about them, or some other reason I can't think of?

Brownells link for many common gun screw sizes:
http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-to...prod15612.aspx

Two machine shops I worked at had them problem is the tap broke for a reason. It was dull, flutes full of chips, or cock eyed in the hole.
Now if it was dull chances are it in there to damn tight to use a tap extractor, if the flutes are clogged how are you going to get the little fingers in there to do the job? if it's cocked eyed well it probable to tight to get you with an extractor.

In a machine shop I'd just tell you carbide but you need a mill too. as you need rigidity to keep from breaking the carbide.

My experience save your money for carbide tools

['ol shooter]

How much of the tap is in the hole, and which hole? Pics would help. I have removed taps using various methods.

[Zamble]

I used a Walton broken tap extractor, and the fingers just bent. The broken tap is about a third of an inch in, when it broke. It was new, I just tapped one hole, no problems. I put lube on it and started. It seemed like it was going in ok, then after 2 turns or so, snap. I was going to try to drill it out, but it is an uneven break. When I used a lite glass to look at it, to make matters worse it was also broken. I just don't think the flutes go deep enough for the extractor tool.

It is broken in one of the holes for a v-block screw.

[rasmus]

I usually hit them with a center punch to break them up