Tapping a shallow hole?

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PopRivet

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Having drained the system, I'm about to tap into my Freelander's VCU outer plate, which is about 10mm thick, but my tapered taps will not allow many threads to be cut, especially not down to the bottom of the hole.
Is there a method of cutting threads for the entire depth without drilling through the internal plates? Or must I do this to get the depth required. I'm only too aware of swarf getting trapped beween the plates so am uncertain as to how I should progress. Help?
 
What I did was to use a plug tap and then when you hit the plates (with the blunt tap) you can compress them slightly against each other (assuming most of the fluid is out) to gain the space to finish the thread off neatly !
 
I've ground off the end of taps before now. This allows a few extra useable threads to be cut deaper into a blind hole.
 
I'd agree with the previous comments.
Taps commonly come in three types; taper tap which can be used for tapping an 'open' hole where it can be screwed right through or for starting to tap a thread in a hole, it has the most threads ground into the taper, about five or six. Then comes a 'second' tap which has less of a taper ground on it, about three threads. Finally comes the third or 'plug' tap which is the tap to use on blind holes and @blue beasty says has about one to one and a half threads ground, just enough to enable a user to start it into the threaded hole. It's usual to start tapping a hole by using the taps in order, or if only two taps are available they would normally be a taper and plug taps.
Depending on the material being threaded and the size of taps, a cutting compound should be used.
 
I knew there were reasons tapping holes is a 'dark art' not to be undertaken by me.

I shall continue to screw bolts into tapped holes made by those that understand the dark arts.

This also sounds like a job for tools not found on the $10 bucket tables by the checkouts at the DIY store which is where my collection originates.
 
GrumpyGel said:
I knew there were reasons tapping holes is a 'dark art' not to be undertaken by me.

I shall continue to screw bolts into tapped holes made by those that understand the dark arts.

This also sounds like a job for tools not found on the $10 bucket tables by the checkouts at the DIY store which is where my collection originates.
Click to expand...

Just screw in a bolt that's too big while beating it with a hammer....It'll be fine :D:D
 
blue beasty said:
Just screw in a bolt that's too big while beating it with a hammer....It'll be fine :D:D
Click to expand...
Sounds a bit aggressive for my liking.
neilly said:
I prefer the following method.
Cut off the bolt head and glue it over the hole. It gives a nice finish.

Cheers
Click to expand...
Would it take the pressure generated inside a VCU?

I think I'll just stick to squashing a load of tissue paper in the hole :) I've watched the vids of people removing bearings by squashing in tissue paper - got to be strong enuf :)
 
Thanks, everyone. You've all given me food for thought, especially the bread bit. lol
I had considered grinding the point off the plug a bit more & I think that's what I'll do.
And with some added Locktite, I'm sure all will be well.
 
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