American made 5/16-36 taper tap?

[ohland]

Been looking for an american (or NON red chinese...) made 5/16-36 taper tap to create some modified cases for the Hornady OAL gauge. Only seen one so far, at Michigan Drill. Are there any other non-Red Chinese 5/16-36 taps that DON'T cost $28 (from MCS) available?

v/r,
Dreamer....

[beezapilot]

Can't help on one that fine- these guys hit the 5/16-32, but keep this company in mind for future ref- they do a nice job.
http://www.e-taps.com/ofertapage%20020.html
I like there stuff better than MSC.

[Stockcarver]

Bought mine at MSC years ago. Non standard taps cost more 'cause they do not sell often, and the makers do so in small batches, which drives the cost up. You can thank the OAL gauge makers for this, they could have used a standard fine thread. Their reason is so most will be forced to buy tapped cases from the OAL gauge maker.

[mac60]

Here's where I got mine.
http://drillsandcutters.com/search.aspx?find=5%2f16%22+-36&log=false&category=1071

I'm not about to pay what they're asking for a modified case when I can do it myself.

[W.R.Buchanan]

It is an oddball size,,, 5/16-32 is tire stem size and is much more common. You'll pay $26-28 for a good quality 6-48 tap just because of the oddball size.

You're right in the ball park as far as price for what you are looking for.

The "drills and cutters" place looks to be a good deal. For what you are going to do, a Chinese tap would probably do what you need.

This is why Harbor Freight does such a good business. Sometimes it is just not cost effective to buy expensive tools that are only going to be used once or seldom if ever again. And as much as I hate to say it the Chinese tools are getting better every day.

What really pukes me is when I pay top dollar for a Snap-On tool only to find the exact same tool at the local Auto Parts store with a different name on it for 1/3 the price.

Randy

[liliysdad]

You'll pay $26-28 for a good quality 6-48 tap just because of the oddball size.


I dont know where you are buying taps, but quality 6-48s are nowhere near that kind of money. If you buy them from places that deal in gun stuff, quality US 6-48s are far less than twenty bucks , and if HSS is OK, less than 10.

[Red River Rick]

............. quality US 6-48s are far less than twenty bucks , and if HSS is OK, less than 10.

You mean cheap "Carbon Steel" taps for less than $10. All high end taps are made from HSS, what else would they make them from.

Ohland: Check here, less than $8 for a 5/16" x 36 tpi HSS tap: http://www.kbctools.com/usa/Navigation/NavPDF.cfm?PDFPage=104

RRR

[ohland]

Ohland: Check here, less than $8 for a 5/16" x 36 tpi HSS tap: http://www.kbctools.com/usa/Navigation/NavPDF.cfm?PDFPage=104RRR

Saw that, that is a plug, BUT KBC says you can ask about getting it in taper...

:coffeecom

[akajun]

been there done that not worth the hassle, get the cheap one from Enco. Interstate brand, I believe mine came from Poland or something, I ve only cut 3-4 custom cases for it but I bet it will cut another 100. Your cutting yellow cartridge brass, not steel.

[ohland]

Well, I have no issue with Polish steel, Bison / TMX is good stuff...

Er... plug, but better than bottom...

[Red River Rick]

I've used many of these taps, HSS, made in Poland, absolutely nothing wrong with them.

Call KBC and ask in they have the tap available in the "taper" style as oppossed to the "plug". You won't know unless you ask.

RRR

[Dutchman]

Saw that, that is a plug, BUT KBC says you can ask about getting it in taper...

:coffeecom

http://drillsandcutters.com/qualtechdwtst516-36t516-36hsstapertapspecial.aspx

HSS, Tap, Size: 5/16-36, 5/16" Taper Special Tap

[ohland]

http://drillsandcutters.com/qualtechdwtst516-36t516-36hsstapertapspecial.aspx

HSS, Tap, Size: 5/16-36, 5/16" Taper Special Tap

Yup, Qualtech from Red China is all over FleeBay...

[bangerjim]

I make ALL my "bastard" taps and dies when I need them. Unless for productions usage, you do NOT need a perfect tap/die to get 'er done!

And I have had excellent luck with foreign brand cutting tools. Mabe not Chineese, but almost any other country makes excellent cutting edges!

I have made taps AND dies from 3/16 to over 1" with weird threads. British Whitworth?? try to find those easily! With a complete machine shop and a heat treat vacuum oven, it is pretty easy to crank out the odd dude now & then. A quick-change lathe really helps!

bangerjim

[Whiterabbit]

I was about to say that I'm sure my local machine shop supply has at least one of these, and American Made.

But you said for less than 28 bucks, which is about what my supply shop would charge.