Calculators
Why Is My Tap Breaking? Common Causes and Fixes
Why taps break — wrong drill size, dull taps, dry runs, chip packing, and misalignment. Diagnose failure patterns and prevent...
Calculators
The calculators category collects posts built around TestTalkHQ’s free shop math tools—welding settings, electrical sizing, air CFM, material weight, cutting speeds, and job costing. Each article explains when to use the calculator, what inputs matter, and how to sanity-check the result on the floor.
These are companion pieces to the live tools on the site, not duplicate calculators locked in blog form. Start the tool, read the post if you need the why, and apply the numbers to your machine and code environment. Examples include MIG wire feed and voltage guides, TIG amperage for steel and aluminum, voltage drop and wire sizing, compressor CFM for plasma, metal weight and pipe weight, and weld-cost estimates for quoting work.
Posts often link to related reviews when a calculator pairs with a specific machine type. New calculators and walkthroughs land here as they are published; the full index lives on the free calculators hub. Use this category when you want the explanation behind the math, not just the button.
Calculators
Calculators
Climb Milling vs. Conventional Milling — What’s the Difference
Climb vs conventional milling — chip direction, finish, backlash risk on manual mills, and when to use each.
Calculators
How to Read a Surface Finish Callout (Ra vs. RMS)
Ra vs RMS surface finish — read drawing callouts, typical Ra by process, and when specs matter for function.
Calculators
Carbide vs. HSS Tooling — When to Use Each
Carbide vs HSS — speed, toughness, cost, and when small shops should choose HSS over carbide.
Calculators
Press Brake Tonnage Calculator — Air Bending Force Estimate
Estimate press brake tonnage for air bending by thickness, bend length, and V-die opening. Capacity planning — not bend allowance...
Calculators
Press Brake Tonnage Guide — Air Bending & V-Die Selection
Press brake tonnage explained — air vs bottom bending, V-die width, material factors, and how tonnage relates to bend allowance...
Calculators
Tap Torque Calculator — Threading Torque by Size & Material
Estimate tapping torque in in-lb or Nm by thread size, material, and tap type. Plan tap wrench and drill-press clutch...
Calculators
Tap Torque Guide — Tapping Torque & Breakage Prevention
What affects tapping torque, why taps break, how to reduce torque with fluid and tap style, and when to use...
Calculators
Welding Amperage Calculator — MIG, TIG, Stick by Thickness
Interactive welding amperage lookup — same reference data as our MIG/TIG/Stick chart. Enter thickness, process, and material for recommended amp...
Calculators
Welding Cable Size Calculator — Electrode & Work Lead AWG
Size welding machine power cable by output amps and total lead length. AWS-style ampacity and voltage drop — not MIG...