Gland nuts and the making of.

[ace]

Hi all

I am in need of a few gland nuts and wish to make my own. I have in the past made one or two but tended to buy them. My question is after drilling out to the required size I have then threaded them using the tail stock, however with normal taps I fail to get the thread right to the back. I have thought about grinding down a tap so the the end of the tap is square and will cut to the back of the nut. But is this the best method! what do you chaps do?.

ACE

[havoc]

You can buy taps that go to the end. But it is easier to buy 2 sets and grind one like you say. Thats what I did.

[baggo]

I'm with Havoc on this one. 'Plug' taps seem to vary - some are square ended and some still have a pointed end. I just grind off the point until the end of the tap is square and capable of tapping to the full depth.

John

[GWRdriver]

I do the same, although I do take care to leave the first cutting thread segment at full profile in order to reduce the possibility that this might break off and be lodged in the female thread. This is especially true of 3 and 4 flute HSS taps. I'm not sure I've described this well, but I hope you get the picture.

[ace]

Cheers Chaps

I am glad this seems to the normal way as I have now ground down my spare older taps . I like the satisfaction when I have made things myself.

Cheers.
Steve

[Tel]

Just why you need the thread to go all the way to the bottom of the hole escapes me mate - use a standard plug tap and the packing will fill the untapped area - if not, put in a bit more.