HOLEMAKER TECHNOLOGY 308010-0120 VERSADRIVE IMPACTATAP M12 X 1.75

15X Faster than Hand Tapping

VersaDrive® ImpactaTaps are the first and only range of taps that are suitable to be driven by impact wrenches and impact drivers, providing at least 15x faster performance than tapping by hand.

With a specially designed twin-lead, cutting geometry - the dual hardening process with Titanium coating provides a fantastic solution for tapping holes in steel.

VersaDrive® ImpactaTaps have a patented non-slip, Hex shank suitable for use in any standard 1/2" drill chuck for cordless or pistol drills (up to M10) or used with a VersaDrive® Rapid Lock adapter for use in a wide range of powertools such as Magnetic Drills. They can even be used by hand in a socket wrench.

Product Benefits

• Ground Flutes create the perfect tapped hole
• Safer tapping with minimal kickback
• Specially hardened for use with impact tools
• High-grade tool steel for high accuracy & long life
• Wide range of sizes
• Goldmax low friction titanium coating to stop burn out
• High strength, non-slip shank design

Quick Guide

• For fastest performance use on impact wrenches & impact drivers
• Check the minimum torque requirement
• Tapping Stainless Steel requires higher impact torque
• Use appropriate lubrication and correct RPM to achieve long tool life

VersaDrive ImpactaTap FAQ Section

Q: Can I use my impact wrench with VersaDrive ImpactaTaps?

Yes, VersaDrive ImpactaTaps are specially hardened and designed with a unique geometry which allows them to be effectively used with Impact Driversand Wrenches.

Q: How many holes can I expect ImpactaTaps to last?

We have many customer reports and testimonials of taps lasting hundredsof holes or even more than a thousand. However our tools are often used in atough environment, sometimes with less than ideal working conditions so it canvary widely depending on the application and the user life expectancy. If youare getting less than 100-200 holes per tap as a rule of thumb we can look atyour application and most likely suggest some improvements to help increaselife expectancy.

Q: Can I tap Stainless Steel using Impact?

Yes, Stainless Steel can be tapped with successfully. For Impact wrenchTapping we recommend increasing the impact torque by about 10% from thestructural steel recommendations as a rule of thumb.

Q: Which Lubricant do you recommend for Impact Tapping?

Speedlube is generally the best all purpose lubricant, for fast,convenient and accurate aerosol application ensuring coverage inside the holeas well as on the tool. However our BioCut paste is very popular and efficientlubricant for dipping the tool directly into the tin. It’s also great forminimising run off or mess, on painted surfaces or other sensitive applicationswhere run off is to be avoided. Aeropaste can be used if working inapplications such as Overhead where a fluid lubricant will run off. FinallyBioCut Blue cutting fluid works particularly well with harder materials ordifficult applications and is ideal forfor direct application onto the tool andinto the hole when working on flat surfaces.

Q: Can I use these for tapping Blind Holes?

For Tapping blind holes we recommend our 309010 or 309020 Spiral Flute ImpactaTapsfor Metric or UNC threads combined with our clutched tapping adapter for useeither with an impact wrench or reversible Magnet Drill or drilling machine.Spiral Flute Taps are designed to clear the swarf from the top of the hole asit is not able to pass through the hole.

Q: Can I use these for tapping laser/flame cutholes?

Tapping Flame Cut or Laser Cut holes or even punched holes with impacttaps may significantly reduce the tool life due to the surface hardening thattakes place around the perimeter of the hole. Often these holes are roughly cutor may not be parallel which is also likely to cause breakage. If possible, wesuggest reaming the hole using a slow speed, rotary drill, to remove thesurface hardness and ensure a square hole. If you have no choice but to tapflame cut holes then we suggest increasing the torque by at least 10%, usingmore lubricant and taking additional care.

Q: Can I clean out existing threads with these taps?

ImpactaTaps can be used for cleaning out existing threads, however werecommend aligning the tap for 1-2 threads by hand to ensure the thread isfully located and avoid the risk of cross-threading.

Q: Are Impactataps likely to break?

Tapping holes in any application is a challenging task and all cuttingtools can be blunted or broken in some conditions. some of the reasons for breakage include:

• Insufficent Torque - using an impact wrench without sufficent torque or on onthe incorrect torque setting (if the impact wrench has multiple settings)
• Tapping the hole off square
• Always use sufficient HMT approved Tapping lubricant. We do not reccomendWD40 or equivelant general purpose non-cutting lubricants.
• Over running the Tap so the thread is no longer held within the tapped hole.Then Cross threading the tap when reversing can often result in tap breakage ordamage typically seen to the threads at the rear of the tap
• When tapping weld nuts, often times the thread on the nut can be misalignedwith the hole to be tapped - this can cause breakage.
• - Ensure the correct size pilot hole is created. Incorrectly sized holes canresult in Tap Breakage.
• - Ensure steady/ pressure while tapping the hole, do not force the tap throughthe hole, likewise insufficent or a loose hold on the powertool may result inbreakage
• - If using Cordless tools, do not allow the battery to become less than 50%full as torque reduction will often be a result of a low battery
• - Ensure the adapter / tool-holder is in good condition and securely fastenedto the power tool.

Q: Do I need to back the Tap off and re-thread likeyou do with a hand-tap?

Generally speaking we reccomend tapping the hole in one pass for sizesup to M20 or 3/4", however for larger diameter taps particularly inthicker materials, it can often help to tap the hole in approximately 3 operations, allowing swarf clearance and re-lubricating the hole and tap foreach operation.

Q: How can I access further technical support or submit a warranty claim for my VersaDrive Impact Tap?

Please click here to access our product support area and warranty claim forms. If making a warranty claim please fill in the appropriate warranty form, providing us with as much of the requested information as possible and one of our technical team will review the feedback and be in touch shortly.

Best Practice Advice - How to get the best out of your ImpactaTaps?

• ImpactaTaps are recommended for through hole applications only.
• Pilot drill the exact tapping size hole for best results
• Select the correct torque power for impact wrench/drivers using the data range in the Torque / RPM guide below. If exact match is not available select the closest torque setting above the recommendation.
• Apply firm, steady feed pressure throughout the cut
• Ensure the Tap is inserted squarely to the hole - poorly aligned or off-centre taps will greatly increase the risk of breakage.
• When using cordless tools, consider that the torque may drop once the battery charge becomes low. Keep batteries well charged. Low battery charge can lead to lower torque which can break or damage taps as point 3.
• Ensure regular application of quality cooling lubricant, especially when drilling thick or hardened materials.
• Hardened or heat-affected materials may require higher torque, reduced RPM and feed rates and extra coolant
• Flame cut/punched holes will require more torque to tap than drilled holes due to heat build up. Caution: Sometimes flame cut holes do not have parallel sides meaning risk of tap breakage.
• Tap the hole in one pass where possible, applying adequate lubrication before you start.
• If the tap is over-run from the hole once it is tapped, to remove the risk of cross-threading/damage to the tap, remove the tap from the adapter and locate it in the thread by hand, before reversing.
• When re-threading an existing thread, use caution to avoid cross-threading which can lead to tap breakage or thread damage. It is advisable to insert/start the tap into the thread by hand before driving it through at the correct torque

How to decide which Impact Wrench or Impact Driver to use?

• Identify the torque range (for the cutting tool) required using the data sheet in question 2. (Example M12 in 12mm plate – Guide torque 320Nm)
• Identify the torque range on your impact wrench or impact driver
• Look up model number to see torque range
• Check if there are speed/torque settings on the tool - Example
• Select the closest torque setting on the impact wrench/impact driver ABOVE the torque recommendation
• (this is for the following 2 reasons)
• - Higher torque will only be used on demand
• - Too low torque will lead to the tool jamming or even snapping as the flutes stop cutting and the torque transfers to the tool

VIDEOS

VersaDrive® ImpactaTaps - 15X Faster than Hand Tapping

VersaDrive ImpactaTap Tapping 25mm Thick Structural Steel in a 3/4" Impact Wrench

HMT VersaDrive® ImpactaTaps 2018 Product Overview

Impact wrench tapping highlights - compilation video