Metalworker FAQ

I was trying to tap a hole in aluminum with a 1/4" tap. Half of the tap broke off in the workpiece. How do I get it out?

Ideally you would want to use a tap extractor. These are readily available ... read more

Are there any materials I should not cut with Irwin snips?

You should never cut hardened metals such as steel, flexible duct or wire w... read more

Are Irwin cobalt drill bits coated like the titanium ones? If the cobalt bits are rockwell hardness 66 - 67 HRc, what hardness are the titanium bits? Once you sharpen a cobalt bit and the gold coating is gone, is it just a regular bit?

Cobalt bits are not coated, they are cobalt steel through and through. At t... read more