aluminium

[SHIPPERS]

could anyone advise on whether aluminium would have sufficient strength to be used as a tap for threading wood. i know someone who will make me a tap, i just have to source the materials



shippers

[BobL]

Short answer is no.

There are many many alloys of ally and while some of them might be suitable most will not hold an edge for long enough to warrant the time and effort involved even in softwoods. Brass is slightly better but just about and ferrous material will be better

[SHIPPERS]

thanks Bob.
the taps to be made are quite large 50mm and 65mm and was wanting to try and keep the weight down. had also thought of using tubing if i can find the right diameter combined with a 6-7mm wall thickness:2tsup:



shippers

[BobL]

thanks Bob.
the taps to be made are quite large 50mm and 65mm and was wanting to try and keep the weight down. had also thought of using tubing if i can find the right diameter combined with a 6-7mm wall thickness:2tsup:



shippers

I would use steel tubing for something like that. Water pipe even though it is soft would be OK.