Ways to Make Drills & Taps Last Longer

Drill sets can be costly. Proper care and use will help extend their life.

Drilling and tapping are similar operations. In both cases you are cutting through a material and the process is going to cause wear on the tool. Drills and taps will wear out and, depending on the material you are working with, this may happen sooner rather than latter. There are ways, however, to extend the life of drills and taps, though nothing will make them last forever.

Proper Selection

The most important factor in extending the life of drills and taps is to use the proper tool for the job. Select your tool based on the material you are working with (wood drills for wood or carbide drills for hard steel). You won't get very far if the tool you are using is softer than the material you are working with. The job will suffer and the tool will be ruined.

Maintenance

You can extend the life of your tools by taking proper care of them. Drills will dull, even when used properly. Sharpen them regularly so that they won't overheat and burn because they are dull. Clean the flutes of taps after use so that they are free of material particles that can stick and cause the teeth to chip.

Cutting Fluid

Use tapping and drilling fluid when using the tools. These fluids are designed to serve as a lubricant for cutting and to help keep the tools cool so they don't heat up, soften and chip or break.

Proper Use

Use drills and taps correctly, according to manufacturing guidelines and manufacturer's recommendations. Be sure to clear chips and material from drills and taps while using them so that they don't bind up and chip or break. Run the tools at the proper speeds so that they don't over heat.

Resources

• anvilfire.com : Drill and Cutting Coolant/Lubricant