Zerk fittings

[IH782]

Not sure what a bottom tap is?

It allows you to tap to the "bottom" of a hole. The tap is not tapered it's squared off at the end. They are harder to start though.

 

[SandburRanch]

Drill diameter for 1/8" pipe tap.

 

[bcp]

It allows you to tap to the "bottom" of a hole. The tap is not tapered it's squared off at the end. They are harder to start though.

Common types of taps:

 

[alafarm]

Well, I attacked my zerk problem, and caused more problems! I got in just a little to bit of a hurry. I had drilled hole out to a 8mm because it was the closest size to the hole I already had. Then I started tapping. I turned a turn and backed out, turned a little more and did this 3 or 4 times then I just knew I had to be just about to full tap and you guessed it, I turned just a little to much and snapped the tap off in the hole. I instantly got a sick feeling! I have never snapped one off, but have seen it done a few times and know the pain it is! I ordered a tap extractor and am waiting on it to be shipped here. I will try that first, don't really want to try to bust it because a friend of mine did that a few years ago and has the tip of a punch still embedded in his ear! If the extractor does not work, I will probably take a rod and break the bottom of the tap off and move over and drill another hole off center and tap that one and just leave the broken one in. One of those, OH CRAP moments!

 

[JerryK]

I've broke a lot of taps off.... it always makes the day ' special '. If you take the old tap, or something similar.... " sometimes " you can carefully tap it backward applying precision blows with a small hammer... trying to hit only on the side of one of the flutes. The ' tap-tap-tap ' sometimes blends in time with the ' dumb arse ' muttering whilst you do it....

 

[alafarm]

Yeah, tried that and it moved about 1/8 of an inch and stopped. So I will wait to get the extractor and try to work it back and forth to get the chips out and see if it will back out.

 

[RNeumann]

I'm guessing drilling a new hole will be the easiest.....plus you will have a story for anyone who notices. Sorry it broke- never fun.

Not to imply or critique but these types of things Drive me nuts. I want to buy quality tools so I lessen the chance of stuff like this. But it's such an unknown when you go to a local hardware store or even "reputable" places online. I wish they had to disclose quality for drill bits, files taps etc.

 

[downsizingnow48]

Was the original loose zerk threaded or drive-in? Takes twenty seconds to dimple a hole to retain a drive in zerk.

 

[downsizingnow48]

On taps I use spiral flute aka gun taps from McMaster Carr. The usual hand tap is like a wooden wagon wheel in comparison.

 

[downsizingnow48]

And tap magic threading fluid.