Can anyone recommend a good substitute tapping/cutting fluid for a *small* tapping job into reasonably high-grade aluminum? And I do mean small- a B-Square universal scope mount for a Ruger MK .22 auto pistol, the problem section is about 1/8" thick. I'm about to retap a hole from a stripped #10-32 to metric M5, .80. It will make a much nicer repair than going super-kludge with a longer screw & nut. The new tap was $3.99, the metric screw(M5-30, .80) $.85. Sadly, local Ace Hardware did not have any Tap Magic.
Over 30 years ago, I was told by a good machinist to always use *something* when tapping- said plain old kerosene was better than nothing. Seem to recall he liked some household substitute in particular for aluminum, but can't remember what(Miniscule brief glimmer here, don't laugh: Crisco?). I have kero(charcoal fluid), oils(3-1, "turbine", motor oil, Molakule's Purple Problem Solver) lighter fluid &/or Coleman fuel(for thinning oils?), greases- including SuperLube synthetic, WD-40, Hoppe's #9, Schaeffer Penetro & some othr good penetrating oil.
Any ideas? Or am I way overthinking this? Any & all help appreciated, TIA.
Over 30 years ago, I was told by a good machinist to always use *something* when tapping- said plain old kerosene was better than nothing. Seem to recall he liked some household substitute in particular for aluminum, but can't remember what(Miniscule brief glimmer here, don't laugh: Crisco?). I have kero(charcoal fluid), oils(3-1, "turbine", motor oil, Molakule's Purple Problem Solver) lighter fluid &/or Coleman fuel(for thinning oils?), greases- including SuperLube synthetic, WD-40, Hoppe's #9, Schaeffer Penetro & some othr good penetrating oil.
Any ideas? Or am I way overthinking this? Any & all help appreciated, TIA.
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