Gallery, Projects and General > How do I??

Drilling and tapping in bronze

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9fingers:
Years ago I had a nightmare drilling into phosphor bronze and the experience is burned into memory :lol:

Soon I have to drill and tap some bought-in Bronze Acme nuts. http://www.trapezoidal-acme-thread.co.uk/trapezoidal-thread-nuts/round-nuts-bronze/

I am looking for any tips to do the job as I can not afford to wreck these. It may be that bronze behaves differently to phosphor bronze and I'm worrying unneccessarily? I will be doing the job on a vertical mill to take advantage of the DRO to locate the holes. Threads will be m6 x1. Should I try and avoid snatching by drilling final size at the outset or use a pilot drill first? I have hand taps as well as a spiral one in this size.

Comments welcome.

TIA

Bob

RotarySMP:
Do you stone the rake off the drill bit?
Mark

9fingers:
I could do if that will help - similar to brass then?

I've not used bronze before and want to prepare as best as possible for a right first time outcome.

Bob

Arbalist:
Ive not had any problem drilling bronze but the stuff I've got is a lot redder than those nuts if it makes any difference? I've had brass snatch though so I pay particular attention to clamping the part to stop it moving. I should adjust the rake as suggested though on a few bits and put them aside for " brass only".

ieezitin:
I would recommend really sharp taps...No cheap china stuff... top quality brands only.. Spiral flute might be better,  use a brand new one for every hole if you have to... bore out 60% thread engagement if you can get away with it.

with a brand new tap tapping the hole for the first time should be a normal thing... if you then try to tap the second hole with the same tap and it squeaks and tends to bind a little stop and use another new tap or try to stone the one you just tapped with.

Aluma-tap fluid works great or kerosene.

Best of luck.

Anthony.

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