Re: machining copper (fwd)

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: Edward Wingate <ewing7-at-rochester.rr-dot-com> 

Tesla list wrote:
 >
 > Original poster: Tesla List Moderator <mod1-at-poodle.pupman-dot-com>
 >
 > ---------- Forwarded message ----------
 > Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2004 23:25:55 -0600
 > From: Gerry Reynolds <gerryreynolds-at-earthlink-dot-net>
 > To: Tesla list <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
 > Subject: Re: machining copper
 >
 > Hi Ed,
 >
 > What do you recommend for brass? drills, taps, and dies.
 >
 > Gerry R.

Gerry,

"Just about any metal known to man" mentioned below, includes brass. I
frequently use WD-40 for brass because it's not as messy and easier to
clean up than "Tap Magic". Tap Magic works on stainless, Inconel, Monel,
Beryllium, Molybdenum, Aluminum, Magnesium, Copper, Bronze, Brass,
Titanium, Cobalt, Nickel, Cast Iron, etc.

Also, and this is one of those tricks of the trade, use a stone to make
a .015" or so flat on each cutting edge of the drill that is parallel to
the centerline of the drill and runs at a 90 degree angle
(perpendicular) to the workpiece. That will keep the drill from
"catching" when breaking through the bottom of the material on brass and
other soft materials. Drills modified in this manner will still work
fine on any other material, but will save you a trip to the emergency
room of your local hospital to re-attach severed fingers!

Ed Wingate RATCB

 > > Original poster: Edward Wingate <ewing7-at-rochester.rr-dot-com>
 > > >
 > > Just like using "Crisco" shortening for tapping. Some of the old school
 > > toolmakers I trained with swore by it.
 > >
 > > There are a number of modern cutting/tapping fluids that work much
 > > better than any of the old school favorites. "Tap Magic" is just one of
 > > them and works great on just about any metal known to man, including
 > > copper. In a pinch, plain old WD-40 works well on the softer metals too.
 > > Just like many other things, cutting fluid chemistry has come a long way
 > > in just the past 10 years.
 > >
 > > Ed Wingate RATCB
 > >
 > >