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| Dissolving broken taps |
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| AdeV:
Help! I managed to break 2 (yes, 2) taps tonight, both M6x1.0, in the ali sump :( I know there's some fancy chemical thingybob you can use to dissolve the tap out without damaging the aluminium (it will be interesting to see what it does to Loctite!), but my search karma is failing me & I can't find any details. Can someone give me the idiot's guide - in particular, what chemicals do I need to buy - and can I just nip to Tescos to buy them (& if so, what are likely trade names)? Unfortunately, I don't think American product names will help, as most stuff is either unobtanium or a different name over here... Any assistance gratefully received :thumbup: :nrocks: |
| ozzie46:
I've read on this and other forums that Alum dissolves taps without harming aluminum and brass. Can't use it on steel though, it will dissolve it. Supposedly you can get it a the grocery store. I've not used it but have heard good reports about it. Maybe some one that has used it can shed more light on the subject such as how long it takes and what strength to mix it up as. Hope you get it sorted out. Be a shame to lose all that work. Ron |
| andyf:
Tough, Ade! Spark erosion is probably the quickest route, by people like this: http://www.sparkeroding.co.uk/ but I bet they know how to charge, because they will mainly work on jobs where a lot is at stake, either in money or time (now, whose job does that remind me of?) You can get tap extractors with long fingers to go down the flutes, but they don't get a good press. Alum (from swimming pool suppliers) will dissolve the tap without touching the aluminium, but it can take a looooong time - weeks rather than hours. I don't know whether the "Vissin" discussed here http://www.cnczone.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-23044.html is the same stuff, and if it isn't it might hurt aluminium. I suppose that with careful setting up and a 4mm carbide slot drill (that should be wide enough to break into the flutes) you might be able to mill it out. Try Googling "extracting broken taps" to read up on the subject. Fingers crossed for you! Andy |
| raynerd:
I bet if you got a high conc. of alum and warmed it steadily in a pan it`ll work fast but I`m guessing it depends on what your tap is made from.. Let us know how it turns out if you do use it. Chris |
| raynerd:
This looks a decent price and the right stuff... I think :ddb: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ALUM-Aluminium-Potassium-Sulphate-ALUM-250g-Tub-/290456957643?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_BOI_Medical_Lab_Equipment_Lab_Supplies_ET&hash=item43a09572cb I`d pour it all out and dissolve it in pretty much as little water as you can and put your piece to soak in that. Ideally somewhere hot or even warm it on the pan. I`m just guessing...I`m sure others have better advice who have tried it! |
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