M3 tap

[antnee]

I need a M3 tap, I have no other taps so starting from scratch, will this be ok
http://www.rapidonline.com/productin...catRef=86-2330

Do I need anything else, or do I just need get that?

Also how does it work, do you just screw it in by hand?

[Zedman]

You can read up on tapping on google but for what you need a normal hand tap would probably be most suitabe, available from most good tool / hardware shops or on line, picture below shows a tap and tap wrench.
If you only need to do one hole just borrow form someone at your local club, if not they are relativly cheap to buy, I would not recommend using a machine tap in a drill as shown in your link for small delicate modeling jobs



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taps_and_dies or just do a google search

[Zipper]

http://www.modelfixings.co.uk/metric_taps.htm

[antnee]

right read most of the wiki page, and looking on that last link, for taping parts on RC cars do I need-1 second(M3) and a tap wrench?

[DanW]

If your doing a a through you will be fine with a starter or intermediate tap and running it through. If you want to tap a blind hole then also get a plug tap, so you form a full thread to the bottom of your hole.

If your tapping metal by hand then normally go about 2 turns in, then half a turn out to relieve the swarf. Also use a bit of lubricant on the tap to help. If you only doing occasional work don't bother buying tapping goo just use a few drops of oil.

Using a machine tap in the end of a drill is a real rough arse way of tapping holes and with something as small as M3 you won't have any success.

[Zedman]

Exactly what Dan said, and in answer to your second question you need something to hold the tap, a tap wrench is the best option.