Tapping broken taps (a.k.a. I'm all tapped out)

[blindguyinanorg]

thats what i was afirad of

[patrickrd]

I tried your method and failed! But perhaps I got something wrong...

I first broke a standard 4-40 tap in a 0.092" aluminum hole (actually one of my teammates did).

Then I was excited to finally have the opportunity to use alum and dissolve the tap. Since the part was quite small, I filled up a pepsi can (with the top cut off) with boiling water, and added in about a teaspoon or tablespoon of alum. I then mixed it up, threw in the part, and waited. When I came in today (after a full night of the alum doing its thing), I couldn't get the tap out, and it still seems to be the same as it was.

So, I'm thinking of two possible errors:
1) I didn't put in enough alum (what are the correct proportions of alum to water?)
2) The water quickly cooled to room temperature... Maybe I should keep it boiling like the instructions say.

Any input would be appreciated!! Thanks!

[Elgin Clock]

NIce tip. I'll have to remember that for next year.

Anyways, speaking of cool metal related tips and tricks, does anyone have a good way to remove rust and corrosion from nuts and bolts, or large pieces like car body panels - in case you do want to finally take a chance at fixing up that '68 Chevy Engine that is sitting in your living room - (or '79 Mopar 360 as it may be in my case).

I was thinking just buying a cheap barrel tumbling kit from the craft department of the local store for the nuts and bolts, but will that work?

Is there a chemical way to remove rust and corrosion that would be faster, or easier - more for the bigger parts that won't fit in a tumbler?

I don't mind using a little (or a lot) of elbow grease, but if I can just let things get clean overnight in a solution of whatever, or in a barell tumbler, then that would be great.

[Lisa Perez]

Originally Posted by Elgin Clock

NIce tip. I'll have to remember that for next year.

Anyways, speaking of cool metal related tips and tricks, does anyone have a good way to remove rust and corrosion from nuts and bolts, or large pieces like car body panels - in case you do want to finally take a chance at fixing up that '68 Chevy Engine that is sitting in your living room - (or '79 Mopar 360 as it may be in my case).

I was thinking just buying a cheap barrel tumbling kit from the craft department of the local store for the nuts and bolts, but will that work?

Is there a chemical way to remove rust and corrosion that would be faster, or easier - more for the bigger parts that won't fit in a tumbler?

I don't mind using a little (or a lot) of elbow grease, but if I can just let things get clean overnight in a solution of whatever, or in a barell tumbler, then that would be great.

Carbonated drinks are supposed to be able to remove rust and corrosion.. but I haven't been able to test it out yet. The CO2 is supposed to react with the oxide that forms the rust, thus restoring the metal to its original state.

[sanddrag]

Originally Posted by Elgin Clock

NIce tip. I'll have to remember that for next year.

Anyways, speaking of cool metal related tips and tricks, does anyone have a good way to remove rust and corrosion from nuts and bolts, or large pieces like car body panels - in case you do want to finally take a chance at fixing up that '68 Chevy Engine that is sitting in your living room - (or '79 Mopar 360 as it may be in my case).

I was thinking just buying a cheap barrel tumbling kit from the craft department of the local store for the nuts and bolts, but will that work?

Is there a chemical way to remove rust and corrosion that would be faster, or easier - more for the bigger parts that won't fit in a tumbler?

I don't mind using a little (or a lot) of elbow grease, but if I can just let things get clean overnight in a solution of whatever, or in a barell tumbler, then that would be great.

I saw this thing on a show called Trucks! that was like a big bowl of nut shells or something and it vibrates a lot and you put your parts in there and they come out real nice after like a day. I think it was pretty expensive though.

[Adam Y.]

Carbonated drinks are supposed to be able to remove rust and corrosion.. but I haven't been able to test it out yet. The CO2 is supposed to react with the oxide that forms the rust, thus restoring the metal to its original state.

There was an episode of mythbusters that tested all the differnt myths related to colas. I don't remeber the results though.

[RogerR]

Originally Posted by Adam Y.

There was an episode of mythbusters that tested all the differnt myths related to colas. I don't remeber the results though.

if i recall corectly, soda does remove rust and grease (to an extent) but not as well as rust and grease removers

[dez250]

Originally Posted by RogerR

if i recall corectly, soda does remove rust and grease (to an extent) but not as well as rust and grease removers

The truth behind this "urban myth" is the soda doesnt remove the filth, its mainly one ingredient in the soda that wil clean filth. This main ingredient is Carbon Acid. When you try to clean with soda, you gave the sugars, dyes, additives and syrups that will go onto what you try to clean and thus its dirty once again. When you use plain carbonic acid or really old soda (where the ingredients have broken down and carbonic acid is still there), you will get a clean surface and it will help prevent future deterioration. So if you are looking at cleaning it with a "soda bath" i would reccommend going to a beverage distributer and seeing if they have any plain carbonic acid that you could purchase. Other wise i would suggest you going a different route and first try a pressure washer with a degreaser or cleaner.

[Astronouth7303]

So carbonated water is the best bet?

[sanddrag]

I heard Hydroxic Acid works really well.




j/k LOL sorry, couldn't resist.

[Tristan Lall]

Originally Posted by sanddrag

I heard Hydroxic Acid works really well.

I hope that you aren't referring to the dreaded H-O-H....
+

[Astronouth7303]

Originally Posted by sanddrag

I saw this thing on a show called Trucks! that was like a big bowl of nut shells or something and it vibrates a lot and you put your parts in there and they come out real nice after like a day. I think it was pretty expensive though.

An ultra sonic cleaner. Usually used with jewely.

The problem with mechanical means of removing R&C is that you actually remove material. They won't fit together as well any more.

[UCGL_Guy]

Originally Posted by Elgin Clock

NIce tip. I'll have to remember that for next year.

Anyways, speaking of cool metal related tips and tricks, does anyone have a good way to remove rust and corrosion from nuts and bolts, or large pieces like car body panels - in case you do want to finally take a chance at fixing up that '68 Chevy Engine that is sitting in your living room - (or '79 Mopar 360 as it may be in my case).

I was thinking just buying a cheap barrel tumbling kit from the craft department of the local store for the nuts and bolts, but will that work?

Is there a chemical way to remove rust and corrosion that would be faster, or easier - more for the bigger parts that won't fit in a tumbler?

I don't mind using a little (or a lot) of elbow grease, but if I can just let things get clean overnight in a solution of whatever, or in a barell tumbler, then that would be great.

You can still find places that "Hot Tank" parts for you - which depending on your part is either an acid bath or caustic. I had an engine block done about a month ago. Saw an episode of "Overhaulin" wher they acid dipped an entire car. Galvanizing places usually have a huge hot tank.
For home use there is Naval Jelly - been around for years and works pretty well. For bolts and small parts I use a grinder and a wire wheel, these throw off the bristles pretty well so make sure you wear a face shield.
But the best is a sandblast cabinet and is enviromentally friendly.
Word of caution when using chemicals of any kind. Make sure you know the hazards before you proceed. Look up the MSDS for that material on the internet or find an expert ( and then check the expert to make sure they told you right). Acid and Bases can create strong exothermic(heat releasing) reactions.
Ken

[Adam Y.]

This main ingredient is Carbon Acid

Carbon acid?? Are you sure it isn't carbolic acid? Also I just checked and there are a variety of acids in soda but nothing that starts with a C. Opps. There is an acid that is formed when carbon dioxide is in solution. Is that what you are thinking of.

[dez250]

Originally Posted by Adam Y.

Carbon acid?? Are you sure it isn't carbolic acid? Also I just checked and there are a variety of acids in soda but nothing that starts with a C. Opps. There is an acid that is formed when carbon dioxide is in solution. Is that what you are thinking of.

I mant to type carbonic acid, check later in my post, later in that sentence and you will see thats what i meant. Carbonic acid will form and remove many forms of oxides, including Calcium Oxide.