Thread tapping

[Makhaira]

I think we need to see your design and see what suggestions can be made. 2mm steel will be heavy, aluminium would strip easily. There are lots of ways to tackle the sort of thing you're doing, dependent on the design.

 

[Uncle Petey]

I'd have to get a final lock on the design first Currently deciding whether or not to stick with three GPU's or go back to two.
Which way I swing would influence the amount of rad space, which then influences the design choices.

The weight of the steel isn't a huge issue. The case would only be transported occasionally.

Here's a very early design. It's not what I'll be going for, but the basic principle is the same.
I'm sure you can picture where the framework will be

Spoiler

The frameless stuff in the background on the last pic is something I'm toying with. Triple 360+480 for giggles.

 

[R B Customs]

Sorry, totally wasn't recommending m6! Just that type of tap! They come in many sizes.

Going off what you have said your absolute best option is to use rivnuts, look them up... They're cheap but the tool to pull them is not! I've had similar fine aluminium fabrication problems myself and rivnuts seemed like the only option, I went with through bolts in the end though, but that doesn't sound like it would work for you.

You will find rivnuts, or threaded inserts are used somewhere in most pc cases.

 

[Uncle Petey]

Ha, I was about to ask if I could just drill a hole and put some kind of threaded insert in there

 

[Uncle Petey]

Just had a look and Rivnuts seem like the perfect solution here and the tools are affordable enough.
Thanks a lot

 

[R B Customs]

Just had a look and Rivnuts seem like the perfect solution here and the tools are affordable enough.
Thanks a lot

not a problem mate; if there's any other things you need to know about this kind of thing let me know and I'll help out if I can. this is the [now stalled dues to moving house] project that put me onto this kind of thing:
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/soli...t-monobloc-build-log-3d-designed-chassis.html

the rivnuts were going to be for the standoffs to support the PCB's, but in the end I'm using through-threaded standoffs with a bolt through the bottom!

have fun!

 

[GiraffePencils]

Hello,
I don't mean to hijack the thread, but I was looking to tap 5mm of M5 thread into Aluminium bar.
I have access to a pillar drill, I was wondering if one of the bits you linked R B Customs would be suitable?
Also can that kind of tap be used when hand tapping?

 

[john_s]

Hello,
I don't mean to hijack the thread, but I was looking to tap 5mm of M5 thread into Aluminium bar.
I have access to a pillar drill, I was wondering if one of the bits you linked R B Customs would be suitable?
Also can that kind of tap be used when hand tapping?

Yes and yes.

Just use the pillar drill to drill the hole. Don't use it for tapping as it won't have the control and you're likely to strip the thread.

 

[theone8181]

You could try a zues fastener (i think that's the proper name) they are a bit like a nut that gets crimped on to the back of thin material.

 

[R B Customs]

Hello,
I don't mean to hijack the thread, but I was looking to tap 5mm of M5 thread into Aluminium bar.
I have access to a pillar drill, I was wondering if one of the bits you linked R B Customs would be suitable?
Also can that kind of tap be used when hand tapping?

you can use the pillar drill to drill the hole (the diameter is critical - look it up!) but deffinitly not to tap the hole unless you;
-open up the top, disconnect the drive belt and literally spin the arbor by hand
-have a tapping attatchement for your pillar drill (v expensive!)

you're best off using those spiral taps in a decent cordless drill though; you need to take it gently, but they're nowhere near as slow and problematic as traditional twin flute straight taps. - just turn them until they start to bite; reverse to remove the swarf then go again. If it's through-holes you are tapping you have already made your life easy as there will be no debris build up like you get in a blind hole (a hole that doesn't go out the other end)

I've tapped about 24 blind holes so far and have only snapped the tap in one of them as I was being a ******** and rushing it; I knew it was going to happen! they're cheap enough though and come the next day from that guy in manchester in Ebay; he's a legend!!

id this aluminum bar you speak of solid, or a box section?

 

[GiraffePencils]

I was planning to drill the hole then use a handle and tap the thread by hand.

It's solid aluminum bar, and they'll be blind holes.
I don't think I'd be able do get a cordless drill.