ImpactaTap Safety and Usage Instructions

HMT ImpactaTaps are made of a specially hardened and heat treated material that is designed to work with the Impact mechanism of an Impact wrench. The ImpactaTap process gives huge time savings and value improvements over hand tapping or traditional methods. Part of our mission is to help you OPTIMISE your HMT products to get the best results and realise the benefits. 

With any cutting tool, improper use may result in shortened tool life or even damage or breakage to the ImpactaTap. The following conditions may adversely affect tool life or in some cases damage or break the tool.

 TOP TIP: If an ImpactaTap is overrun though the material that is being tapped, and the cutting flutes come out of the other side of the new tapped hole, it is advisable to remove the tap from the machine and back the tap out by hand to avoid any danger of reverse cross-thread

When using Impact wrench driven tools, Wear approved Eye / Face shield, ear defenders and hand protection at all times.

• Ensure the grub screws are tightened fully before commencing tapping and are re-checked every 6-10 holes. (Movement in tap holder may result in damage to the tap)
• Ensure the tap is held square to the hole, before, during and after the hole tapping process.
• Avoid applying excessive pressure to the tap or impact wrench.
• Ensure exact size pilot hole is used (refer to guide)
• Follow torque requirement recommendations (refer to guide).
• Inspect the tool regularly for any signs of damage. Immediately replace the tool if any damage is found.
• Do not use the tool if cracks, wear or damage of any other kind is noticed on the cutting tool or the socket.
• Be sure to disconnect power source when changing tool or socket.
• Use tool only with HMT approved impact grade sockets and adapters
• ImpactaTaps are not designed to tap “blind” holes (holes without an exit from the workpiece)

• Misalignment of the tap to the hole causing an uneven and excessive loading to the tap possibly resulting in damage or even breakage.
• Lack of correct lubrication (HMT Tapping paste, Speedlube or Aeropaste are recommended)
• Bottoming out the tap in a blind hole may result in breakage. (ImpactaTaps are in-tended for use in through holes only)
• Careless handling of the tap.
• Excessive feed or pressure on the tap.
• Incorrectly drilled tapping size hole (oversize or undersize holes may equally result in breakage) refer to the correct size tap hole matrix included below.

Appropriate feed (pressure) should be applied to the tool to ensure that the tap ‘bites’ into the material and allows the impact mechanism of the wrench to engage without spinning loosely in the hole. However, excessive feed (pressure) on the impact wrench may result in the tool slowing down, snagging and risking blunting and / or breakage to the cutting flutes

ImpactaTaps are designed for tapping structural steel (grades S275, S355) and these instructions are intended for those applications. Other materials that have been successfully impact tapped include copper and stainless steel. However, heat hardened materials caused by weld proximity, laser or plasma cutting for instance may not be possible tap using this method. ImpactaTaps should not be used to tap Hardox® wear plate.