Thanks for posting the thread sheets Bill
Well I had a go last night, I took Ed's advice and went and brought
a better tapping dia made of apparently "high quality carbon/chrome steal"
by P&N. It shattered on the second hole, before it had even hit the business
part of the tool. I didn't use a cutting paste, as the packet only states "For
best results use a cutting lubricant" it didn't mention any danger of the tool
shattering if a lubricant is not used. I remember years ago putting threads
into plate steal, So I used the same approach as I did then ie: cut a 1/4
turn, wind back a couple of turns then cut another 1/4 turn or there about
it was more like 1/8 turn cuts.
Anyways I'm going to return it from where I brought it and get it replaced.
Even my machanic mate who was with me when it shattered said "And they
call this carbon steal?" the thing was crumbling trying to get the piece still
stuck in the job with a pair of vicegripps.
regards,CS