Tap test hammer

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Cranium
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Tap test hammer

Post by Cranium »

Does anyone know where to find a composite tap hammer? We've got some heavy inspections coming up and I tend to spend my loonies as fast as I get them.

http://www.heatcon.com/wind-energy/tool ... tap-hammer

I asked for a quote from this place about a month ago, and they ignored me.
I also checked Mac, Snap-On, Brown, USATCO, and MATCO. No luck.
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iflyforpie
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Re: Tap test hammer

Post by iflyforpie »

I know where you can get one for a nickel... :wink:
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Heliian
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Re: Tap test hammer

Post by Heliian »

One manufacturer of helicopters suggests using an 8mm diameter steel rod 10cm long for tap testing composite blades. If you are going to be tapping that much that you need a hammer, have fun, after 2 hrs, all you hear is tap, tap, tap, tap......
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helicopterray
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Re: Tap test hammer

Post by helicopterray »

A representative of a certain helicopter manufacturer handed out lots of composite tap tool rods to our crews at one time.

Take a steel rod 1/4 diameter, about 2 inches long, round off the ends on a lathe. That's all it is.

Or take a small brass drift from Snap-On and use the rounded end.

I use both methods.
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123dash
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Re: Tap test hammer

Post by 123dash »

Just weld a steel ball on a stel rod,works well lasts a long time :)
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niss
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Re: Tap test hammer

Post by niss »

Why would you want to tap test a hammer? :)
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iflyforpie
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Re: Tap test hammer

Post by iflyforpie »

niss wrote:Why would you want to tap test a hammer? :)
More importantly, when did they start being called hammers?

This is aviation. Tapometers people, tapometers...
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Cranium
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Re: Tap test hammer

Post by Cranium »

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niss
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Re: Tap test hammer

Post by niss »

iflyforpie wrote:
niss wrote:Why would you want to tap test a hammer? :)
More importantly, when did they start being called hammers?

This is aviation. Tapometers people, tapometers...
For christ's sakes, if you want to be called an engineer start sounding like one! It doesn't measure tapo's! It smashes stuff!

It is a solid state force transfer through leverage application device.
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blastingcoffee
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Re: Tap test hammer

Post by blastingcoffee »

the tap hammer is a really small piece of alum, turned to a Boeing drawing,I have made about 500 of these things for the inspectors in my shop over the years.it's not meant for "smashing" things. lol
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abcrobots
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Re: Tap test hammer

Post by abcrobots »

blastingcoffee wrote:the tap hammer is a really small piece of alum, turned to a Boeing drawing,I have made about 500 of these things for the inspectors in my shop over the years.it's not meant for "smashing" things. lol
Do you have the drawing you built from that you could share with the rest of us? :)
Perhaps a wee scan?
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GA MX Trainer Dude
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Re: Tap test hammer

Post by GA MX Trainer Dude »

Hey - Plane Jane hammers are so last century :shock:

http://hotbonders.wichitechindustries.c ... ssment.pdf

http://www.google.com/patents/US6748791 ... &q&f=false - Us Patent

You need one of these to be up to date!! LOL

Source to buy;

http://hotbonders.wichitechindustries.c ... &forward=1

Most often there is a drawing of the tap test method and equipment in the manufacturers manual - try Standard Practices section.

I have had very good results with the big ball bearing welded to a 1/4 inch rod (6.35mm for you metric gearheads) - have also used big washers with the edges filed round - just make 100% sure that you do not damage the surface with whatever tool you are using. Don't forget to calibrate your ear - I find it interesting that many don't actually know what a defect sounds like. :prayer:

If I can find a drawing I will try and post it.

EDIT: - Link to Tap Test Hammer Drawing http://1pointperspecti.ucoz.com/load

This drawing is from MIL HandBook - 337 Section 10.
Hope that helps for a generic hammer - your aircraft manufacturer might have a different one that they want you to use.

Mutatis mutandis - (A caution to a reader when using one example to illustrate a related but slightly different situation. The caution is that the reader must adapt the example to change what is needed for it to apply to the new situation.)

Regards

Mx
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twistedoldwrench
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Re: Tap test hammer

Post by twistedoldwrench »

:lol: and dont forget to get the certificate saying its calibrated to a national standard :prayer: :lol:
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martinmw
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Re: Tap test hammer

Post by martinmw »

For those that have the ability and resources to produce a manual tap hammer, please let me know if you would want to make a couple for me with a price included? Or if there is a manufacturer website that is valid where I could go and buy one. The Yard store and Brown aviation tools do not carry these. Thank you very much and please no weird remarks.
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dgr123
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Re: Tap test hammer

Post by dgr123 »

try this one
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