Cheap and Decent Taps, Drills, and Bores?

[Wolfman29]

Hey everyone.

Now that I have access to the machine shop, I figure it is the time for me to start accumulating tools necessary.

Basically, I figure that the most basic of tools I will need are an M9x0.5 tap (and matching 8.5mm drill?), a 12mm drill bit, and maybe some boring tools in order to get a cleaner cut down the center.

So I am asking all of you machinists out there, where can I find some of these tools for good prices online? Hopefully, I am looking for things that can cut through aluminum and copper and will last.

Anyone have any suggestions for buying locations? I can't seem to find any good spots to get these tools.

EDIT: I figure I should also ask about finishing tools for these metals, maybe some good general cutting bits, etc.

Basically, I want you expert machinists to help me find where I can start growing my toolbit set!

 

[Mohrenberg]

New 9mm 9 x 0.5 HSS Metric Tap M9 x 0.5mm .5 Pitch | eBay

buy two, and grind the bottom off one so that the tapered end is gone. You can start the threads with the tapered one, which will only thread about half way down an aixiz module, and then use the grinded one to cut the threads all the way to the bottom.

 

[Wolfman29]

Edit: Never mind. Thanks! Gave an offer for two.

With that, I suppose I could make press fit heatsinks, but how do I make it so that the press fit is closer to the top (so that the lens can go in the top) rather than the bottom? Do I make the heatsink two separate parts that attach?

EDIT 2:
In order to do the press fit... I can't drill it out, can I? Because a drill is tapered, and the press fit is very small in depth, so I would need to basically mill it in, yeah? Or I could use a cutting tool... how would I do that?

 

[Mohrenberg]

I use to have a drill bit which always cut the holes perfectly for press fit diodes.
but i have since lost the bit, and press fit is a PITA, so i don't bother any more.

 

[rhd]

I've never tapped a thread before. Is it possible to tap using a hand drill? It seems like you'd want to tap with a high torque, low speed drill - so perhaps this would be tricky ?

Not even thinking M9x0.5 - I'd love to just be able to tap set screws, or perhaps slightly larger threads for attaching heatsinks to aluminum bases I have already (for labbies).

Practically speaking, would I be able to tap an M5x0.8 thread with a hand drill?
5mm x .8 Metric Taper and Plug Tap M5 x 0.8mm Pitch | eBay

 

[Wolfman29]

There are little chucks for DESIGNED for hand-tapping, and it's a good way of doing it.

And yes, that should let you tap that, but it will require LOTS of torque because it's a big tap... that, and the fact that you need to drill a starter hole first.

@Moh - I guess that, for security's sake, I should probably see if I can find a "flat pocket cutter" for precision press fitting? Then I could just drill out the central hole for the smaller part of the diode, yeah?

 

[Jacob32123]

This dosen't have a m9x.5 but I have it and it has lasted and works great every time

40 Piece Alloy Steel Tap and Die Set

It has the usual HFT lifetime warranty on hand tools

 

[Mohrenberg]

you can tap the threads by hand.
i do all the set screw holes by hand most of the time

 

[rhd]

This dosen't have a m9x.5 but I have it and it has lasted and works great every time

40 Piece Alloy Steel Tap and Die Set

It has the usual HFT lifetime warranty on hand tools

Oh neat - would you actually do that tapping by hand - or by hand drill?

EDIT: Sadly, they don't ship to Canada

 

[Wolfman29]

You do the starting hole by hand drill and tapping by hand, unless you have a machine shop.

 

[Jacob32123]

Oh neat - would you actually do that tapping by hand - or by hand drill?

EDIT: Sadly, they don't ship to Canada

You drill the hole with a drill or drill press, and tap by hand with that kit. I have never had a problem doing it that way.

 

[Mohrenberg]

yup it doesn't take a lot of force to tap into aluminum.

though if you have 50 or so pieces to tap your hands will get tired

 

[LaserCo]

You could use a forstner bit to give you a flat bottom of your hole
if you can find one small enough for your diode.
McMaster-Carr does not have any that small.

McMaster-Carr is a good company with lots of machinist's stuff.
They ship quickly and 'seem' to have cheap prices, yet I know very
little about about machining and pricing.
They do have a $20 min. purchase though.

McMaster-Carr

I bought a bunch of taps, dies and drills from them.
I wish I bought some cutting oil.. Anybody know what
would work well from places like homedepot or menards?

 

[Wolfman29]

Hmm, forstners look cool. I will check 'em out. I'll also check out McMaster-Carr! Thanks for that