Zerk fittings

[IH782]

Not sure what a bottom tap is?

It allows you to tap to the "bottom" of a hole. The tap is not tapered it's squared off at the end. They are harder to start though.

 

[SandburRanch]

Drill diameter for 1/8" pipe tap.

 

[bcp]

It allows you to tap to the "bottom" of a hole. The tap is not tapered it's squared off at the end. They are harder to start though.

Common types of taps:

 

[alafarm]

Well, I attacked my zerk problem, and caused more problems! I got in just a little to bit of a hurry. I had drilled hole out to a 8mm because it was the closest size to the hole I already had. Then I started tapping. I turned a turn and backed out, turned a little more and did this 3 or 4 times then I just knew I had to be just about to full tap and you guessed it, I turned just a little to much and snapped the tap off in the hole. I instantly got a sick feeling! I have never snapped one off, but have seen it done a few times and know the pain it is! I ordered a tap extractor and am waiting on it to be shipped here. I will try that first, don't really want to try to bust it because a friend of mine did that a few years ago and has the tip of a punch still embedded in his ear! If the extractor does not work, I will probably take a rod and break the bottom of the tap off and move over and drill another hole off center and tap that one and just leave the broken one in. One of those, OH CRAP moments!

 

[JerryK]

I've broke a lot of taps off.... it always makes the day ' special '. If you take the old tap, or something similar.... " sometimes " you can carefully tap it backward applying precision blows with a small hammer... trying to hit only on the side of one of the flutes. The ' tap-tap-tap ' sometimes blends in time with the ' dumb arse ' muttering whilst you do it....

 

[alafarm]

Yeah, tried that and it moved about 1/8 of an inch and stopped. So I will wait to get the extractor and try to work it back and forth to get the chips out and see if it will back out.

 

[RNeumann]

I'm guessing drilling a new hole will be the easiest.....plus you will have a story for anyone who notices. Sorry it broke- never fun.

Not to imply or critique but these types of things Drive me nuts. I want to buy quality tools so I lessen the chance of stuff like this. But it's such an unknown when you go to a local hardware store or even "reputable" places online. I wish they had to disclose quality for drill bits, files taps etc.

 

[downsizingnow48]

Was the original loose zerk threaded or drive-in? Takes twenty seconds to dimple a hole to retain a drive in zerk.

 

[downsizingnow48]

On taps I use spiral flute aka gun taps from McMaster Carr. The usual hand tap is like a wooden wagon wheel in comparison.

 

[downsizingnow48]

And tap magic threading fluid.

 

[oldpilgrim]

If it;s in a good place, I'd drill a new hole near it and put a new fitting in that one. Probably a lot easier than trying to get the broken piece out. And if you do get it out, you've still got the same problem you started with.

 

[PILOON]

Guess I got real lucky as at one time I bought a storage tray with 36 small compartments filled with 36 different styles and sizes of zerks and paid $10.00.
In all there were over 200 I'd guess so I divided the lot and sold 1/2 to a contractor friend for $10. and he was very pleased to have that assortment.
With about 100 zerks I figured that was enough for my lifetime.
Friend has so much equipment that he probably renewed his stock a few times.

 

[downsizingnow48]

On removal. Put the smallest tip on a cutting torch brace hands carefully and blow it out. Remaining loose pieces easy to clean out. Steady hand needed otherwise will make a mess of the tube.

 

[downsizingnow48]

Another way is to clean out the chips by driving piano wire down the flutes. Then use two pieces of piano wire in opposite flutes and pair of pliers to torque the fragment out.

 

[downsizingnow48]

Here is a spiral flute tap it draws the chips upward like a drill bit.

And a spiral point tap it ejects the chips downward.

Either works about 20x better than the usual hand tap.

 

[RNeumann]

Here is a spiral flute tap it draws the chips upward like a drill bit.

And a spiral point tap it ejects the chips downward.

Either works about 20x better than the usual hand tap.

Thx for the info!

 

[alafarm]

Pat, it was a threaded zerk just like the ones in all other places on the loader. The hole it was in was just drill to large!

downsizingnow48, I probably should have go one of those taps, I saw them online but had never used one so I ordered another like I had. I guess I will try it and be a little more careful and see if it works. That is, if I can get the other one out, if not I'll drill another hole. Don't have a cutting torch and I would probably burn something up with my luck!

My tool and tap is suppose to be here fri. or first of the week. I will let you know how I make out!

 

[downsizingnow48]

Good luck! Only other thing I can think is to use a really good small center punch to shatter the tap. Full face protection needed.

 

[SandburRanch]

A tap is less likely to break when a T-Handle can be used. That's probably why they were invented. If a T-Handle isn't available or close quarters inhibit its use, I've used 2 Cresent wrenches by lengthening the square with the grinder.

For removing chips a shop vac works really well.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I was just wondering If I could find zerk threads that large that would still work with my grease gun end?

The zerk fitting for the grease gun is the same regardless of the size of the nipple that threads into the machine so you have many choices as to hole size.