So, your tap has broken or snapped and now you’re having trouble removing it. You’ve tried punching it out, soaking it in oil and a countless number of other things but nothing seems to work. It’s stuck and you’re this close to losing your mind!
We know how extremely frustrating it can be when nothing seems to work, it’s happened to the best of us. Fortunately, this issue can be resolved in just a few steps when you have the right tools. Follow these instructions and your broken tap should be freed in just a few minutes.
Method One
What You’ll Need:
- Tap wrench
- Tap extractor
Walton Tools 18001 Tap Extractor Set
- 3/16 inch-1/2 inch
- 4 flute design
Instructions
1. Clear all the pieces of the broken tap.
Deep breath. What’s done is done but now we need to clear the area. Remove all the chipped pieces of your broken tap. Clearing the area will make it much easier to get the tap out.
2. Insert the extractor fingers.
Get your tap extractor and put the fingers into the broken tap’s flutes. Gently but firmly push them into position. Feel that? That’s progress!
3. Get them touching.
Push the holder down until it touches the tap then slide the sleeve down until it touches the work. Booyah!
4. Grab your tap wrench.
Employ your tap wrench to the square end of the holder. Keep twisting it back and forth until it loosens. Once it’s loose enough, you can then pull out the broken tap. Winning.
Method Two
What You’ll Need:
- Compressed air duster
- Hammer
- Assortment of punches
Instructions
1. Freeze the tap.
Turn your can of compressed air upside down and generously spray the tap. The freon liquid will move toward the top of the can and will cryogenically freeze the tap to make removal easy. You may need to spray for about 20-30 seconds. Boss.
2. Chip away and remove the tap.
Now that the steel is brittle, take your hammer and a punch and chip away at the tap. Try different punches depending on the size in order to get the tap out. If you’re having any trouble at this step, try hitting the tap from all four angles. Tap-be-gone!
Prevention Tips:
Even though you now know two effective and simple methods for removing broken taps, prevention is always best. The most common reasons for broken taps are small core holes, incorrect tap for the material, the tap is out of alignment and poor thread finish.
Follow these tips to help prevent broken taps in the future:
- Use proper coolant when tapping. The right coolant will reduce friction by keeping the temperature from getting too hot.
- Always use the recommended tapping drill size.
- Never go beyond the maximum torsional strength of a tap, excessive torque will break it.
