17 March 2018
 Categories: Industrial & Manufacturing, Blog

Everybody needs a hobby. Some hobbies are more straightforward and simple than others. Other hobbies require more of a learning curve. Metal machining is one such hobby. If you have decided to be a hobby machinist, there is a lot to learn! The following information regards industrial tapping fluids, and why you need them.

What Industrial Tapping Fluids Are

Industrial tapping fluids are lubricants for your metal machinery. Some may be oil-based, while others are water-based. They are referred to as tapping fluids because they lubricate your taps and protect the taps from damage. The oil-based taps have varying degrees of viscosity, depending on what type and what thickness of material on which you are using the taps. For example, if you are using a large gauge tap with wide threads on two-inch thick copper, you are going to need a thicker viscosity tap fluid to prevent the tap and the copper from heating up and sparking too much.

Why You Need Tapping Fluids

There are multiple reasons why you need tapping fluids. 

1. Taps are essentially drill bits with side blades. They are simultaneously cutting and boring holes through your material. If you do not use tapping fluids, you will not get a clean, threaded hole.
2. Tapping fluids extend the life of your taps. Extending the life of your taps means that you will not have to replace them. Not having to replace your taps all the time means that your somewhat expensive hobby is less expensive because you used tapping fluids with your taps!
3. Tapping fluids keep taps and work materials cool. If you have started your first project using taps, you will find that the lack of tap fluids causes the tap and the material to heat up very fast and cause burns to your arms, hands, and fingers! Keeping the taps and materials cool means that you will get fewer injures while you tinker with this hobby.
4. If you use your taps on organic materials and not just on metal materials, the taps can accumulate bacteria. The bacteria can grow and make a mess of your taps. The industrial tapping fluids prevent bacteria accumulation. In short, the tapping fluids (despite some of their greasiness) help to keep your taps clean.

As you continue to explore machining as a hobby, keep all of the above in mind. It helps to purchase tapping fluids along with your taps, so that you remember to use the fluids with the taps.