Tap Magic?

[Camren]

I just came across this cutting fluid which I have never seen or heard of before. Its called Tap Magic and I was wondering what are the benefits and how many teams use it?

[tim-tim]

Originally Posted by Camren

I just came across this cutting fluid which I have never seen or heard of before. Its called Tap Magic and I was wondering what are the benefits and how many teams use it?

Tap Magic is used to aid in the process of cutting metals. I have only ever seen it used in tapping applications though. They advertise that it can be used for other machining processes as well.

So some personal experience:
Tap Magic is very good when used correctly. I have used it extensively with different types of steels while working with Baja cars, and ocassionaly some Formula cars. It does make the process 'easier' but you still have to be careful. As far as maintaining tools and creating longer lives from them, I have no clue. My Formula counterparts did find that it is very important to make sure ALL of the fluid is removed prior to welding. They were tapped a member in a closed loop and drained MOST of the fluid. Then through a testing that should not have broken (or even come close to breaking) the member did break. As they looked into the cause, the fluid during the welding process heated up and changed the strength of the metal.

They do have a specific type fo aluminum (which I assume most teams use on robots except special conditions), but I have no experience with that. I have alsways used some other type/generic cutting fluid when tapping aluminum, sometimes even just a cutting wax.

[ChuckDickerson]

We use aluminum tap magic when hand tapping all our aluminum tapping needs on the team. It is convenient and most of all smells good. A lot of cutting fluids just plain stink to me. I actually like the smell of aluminum Tap Magic. Smells like cinnamon to me!

[Lil' Lavery]

Highly reccomend using tap magic or another lubricant when tapping metals.

[theawesome1730]

Originally Posted by DeepWater

Smells like cinnamon to me!

Nice to know that I'm not going insane by saying it smells like cinnamon to my team.

We use Tap Magic on aluminum, it makes tapping long holes a lot nicer to deal with and I think that it really does a good job lubricating the cutting area of the tap. Only concern for me is that for me, after using it and getting it on my hands and not washing it off, it burns. (not sure if that happens to a lot of people or what)

[AllenGregoryIV]

I'm not sure about the burning, I don't think I have ever experienced that.

I've used tap magic for the past 8 or 9 years in FRC and it's great especially for newbies. When we used to use 80/20 we would need it for tapping the ends of the extrusion. We try to use it any time we are tapping anything. I've also used it as cutting fluid for our bandsaw before it seems to work alright.

[IKE]

Tap Magic is not a question. Tap Magic is the answer.

[theawesome1730]

Originally Posted by AllenGregoryIV

I'm not sure about the burning, I don't think I have ever experienced that.

My skin is probably over sensitive to chemicals. But I do remember a warning on the container to try and not get it on your skin.

From their website "SKIN CONTACT – Prolonged or repeated exposure may cause irritation." This is a warning for their ProTap series which is what I think we use along side of the aluminum series

[Mr. Mike]

Tap Magic is a very good product for most machining. Look at the container and see if it contains 1,1,1-Trichloroethane. If it does it is old stock and 1,1,1-Trichloroethane is considered a hazard waste. A Material Data Safety Sheet can be downloaded from http://www.tapmagic.com . Please follow the instructions on use and disposal.

[Eagleeyedan]

We use it when drilling. It helps lubricate the metal so that it cuts cleaner and doesn't heat up so much.

[Gray Adams]

We use it for tapping too. Makes it easier and seems to help with chip buildup. At work we use flood coolant when power tapping and we never break taps either.

[Andy A.]

I use it frequently. It does work as advertised for tapping. In particular I find it's the most successful fluid I've found for tapping various plastics. Acrylic is very difficult to tap successfully, but Tap Magic does make it much easier and does not appear to interact with the material otherwise (I do make an effort to dry the part quickly, though). You can very easily tell the difference between plastic threads cut with and without tap magic. You get the same results in polycarb.

I've never used it as a general cutting fluid, but I suppose it would work there as well. It's a little expensive for that kind of work, but if it's all you got...

I also have a can of Alumtap, which seems to be essentially the same thing, or at least so close to it I couldn't tell the difference.

[Cory]

I always liked the regular stuff but we bought some aluminum tap magic a few years ago and I hate it.

There's something about the cinnamon smell that gives me a massive headache every time I'm exposed to it. It's also near impossible to wash off your hands completely.

Works well though.

[cgmv123]

We bought 4 bottles last year. We use it when tapping, drilling (sometimes) and CNC milling metal. It works well, nothing special.

[Camren]

Thanks for your input guys. Ill prolly be bringing some other questions up on various other tools and techniques. I'm not new to tools. Ive worked in my dads auto shop since an early age. I just like having input on whats the best tool or technique. (Yes I know the one your most comfortable with is)