Tapping Delrin
Tapping Delrin
(OP)
Looking for suggestions on tapping Delrin. I will need to tap a 1/4-20 through hole. The Delrin is 1.5 inches thick. I would prefer to do it in a CNC mill if that is possible. Information on the type of tap, coolant, or no coolant, cutting feeds, and speeds etc.





RE: Tapping Delrin
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RE: Tapping Delrin
RE: Tapping Delrin
the only advice I can add is the tools for plastic need to have a knife like edges for the cutting tools, & as nicely posted by TVP speeds are high as possible. coolant is advisable to prevent melting of the plastic. recommend contacting a rep for coolant type.
I worked for screw machine shop where turning & milling
delrin was done often. the tools where normally made by the operators. unless it was milling & tapping on the mill.
RE: Tapping Delrin
RE: Tapping Delrin
RE: Tapping Delrin
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Tapping Delrin
if it is a thru hole just use a pully tap with collant and use a feed of 10 IPM and X that by your threads per inch.
We tap a lot of delrin without any problems by just using standard machining practices.
If this is a blind hole you will need to peck tap about .3 away from the bottom and finish by hand tapping, I would peck tap at about .25 per peck just to clear the chips and also have your rapid at about .4 above the part so the chips will get washed away by the collant.
RE: Tapping Delrin
There are a number of considerations when tapping depending on the amount of work you have to do.
1. Find a supplier who can supply you specially made taps for all application don't just but from standard suppliers, go out of your way to find a dealer who has a direct contact with a manufacturer.
2. In the UK a grade of tap know as 1066 was the best tap for difficult materials, it was a specially coated tap
3. Arrange with your customer the maximum core diameter, you should be able to remove 25% above the minimum core diameter to ease tapping operations
4. Unless you are an absolute expert use a tapping head with a set clutch for tapping, if you are an expert then use the CNC
5. If the material is similar to nylon it will bind if the workpiece heats up, use plenty of coolant and tap by hand or tapping head.
6. If you have volume work to do then source a tap with clearances and back rake for the material you are using.
7. Ask your tap manufacturer for the correct speeds and cutting compound for the material you are working on.
When I ran my own business I spent from £10 - £100 for specialist taps on each job and always came out a winner by using a tapping head. We very rarely broke a tap and discarded old taps. Tapping difficult jobs needs to be planned with the proper taps, cutting compound and correct speeds.