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Gunsmithing Recommendation for good taps and dies??

davwil

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Dec 8, 2007
82
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Hill country in Texas
I have a bur I need to remove from a suppressor. Can anyone recommend a good source for quality 5/8" - 24 and 1/2" - 28 taps and dies. The ones from Midway don't look that good especially for the cost. Any recommendations/sources would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
My normal choices for taps and dies like this are OSG, Hertel or Interstate (less expensive) which I will get through MSC or the like.

I would be a little wary of running a tap down in a suppressor though; may I ask where the burr is and what caused it?
 
It was a new suppressor and normally I check the threads first but I didn't and there must have been a small chunk of metal in the threads. I can see where it started to cut into the first couple of threads on the suppressor and it will only go on about 2 turns before it starts to hang up. I've tried cleaning it with a toothbrush, etc. but no luck. I think I need to run a tap down it lightly.
 
I have a bur I need to remove from a suppressor. Can anyone recommend a good source for quality 5/8" - 24 and 1/2" - 28 taps and dies. The ones from Midway don't look that good especially for the cost. Any recommendations/sources would be appreciated. Thanks.

McMaster Carr, industrial supply company, is a good place for such tools. Midway would not know what the good taps and dies are, it's not their core business.
 
Greenfield / OSG is excellent tooling and I have never had a failure in many years of use.

For OD threads that were cut correctly I would use a thread file to clean up the threads. For tapped holes with a burr in the thread you can use a quality bolt with the thread lead slab cut to give you a sharp lead thread that you can use to hopefully clean the hole threads up. A standard or oversize tap will cut metal and not a normal part of thread cleaning or maintenance.
 
If this is a new suppressor, I would call the manufacturer for their recommendation. If it is a slight burr or imbedded shaving, a dental pick might do the trick. This is something you don't want chance and screw up.
 
For OD threads that were cut correctly I would use a thread file to clean up the threads. For tapped holes with a burr in the thread you can use a quality bolt with the thread lead slab cut to give you a sharp lead thread that you can use to hopefully clean the hole threads up. A standard or oversize tap will cut metal and not a normal part of thread cleaning or maintenance.

^^This is the correct answer.

You can grind a couple of flutes into a bolt with a dremel cutoff wheel, and run the bolt into the hole, or, you can buy a "thread chaser" tool (which is a tool steel version of the bolt with flutes ground into it) which will not enlarge the female threads.
 
Thanks cal50 and turbo54, this sounds like the way to go. I'm always amazed and appreciative at the experience, insight and advice that gets shared on this site. The hide has to have some of the most quality individuals on the planet. Thank you!! I'd buy you a beer if you were a little closer....hope I can return the favor sometime.
 
Fastenal nearby ? they have some pretty decent cutting, taps and dies, usually in stock. a few $ more in some cases. convenient though.