Thread: Info on tapping chucks

Originally Posted by woodfast

I am looking a tapping chucks does anyone use one and have any comments to make on any one of them on the market The cheap one's and the Piper which is the top end of the market any though on the matter welcome

After owning a HAFCO tapping chuck (cheap end of scale) for a while, I can't really recommend it. It seems quite tricky to get the tap setup in the chuck so that it goes straight. Then there is the clutch that seems to allow my taps (Europa, which I no longer buy - make of that what you will..) to explode before it engages.

I am running an MT(? - can't remember 3 or 4) to R8 adapter. It takes up way too much Z to a point of being painful to use. I recently tapped 24 M6 holes using Goliath HSS taper, int, bottom for each hole. All by hand! I just could not trust the HAFCO tapping head to not destroy another tap.

The HAFCO tapping head works well with M8 upwards. I just no longer trust it with the smaller stuff despite the spec stating it accommodates them.

My replacement will be a Tapmatic with a 3/4 arbor (PM me if anyone spots one at a decent price)..

Originally Posted by woodfast

I am looking a tapping chucks does anyone use one and have any comments to make on any one of them on the market The cheap one's and the Piper which is the top end of the market any though on the matter welcome

What size are you looking for? I've got a big, reversing one I was thinking about putting on ebay.(that was 12 months or so ago but I haven't gotten around to do that yet) I think its a no 4 morse taper. It came with a heap of other stuff I bought. Not sure of the brand. Its in reasonable condition. The drive key inside was worn so I made a new one. I haven't used it myself apart from making sure it reverses by hand. I might even have some pics on a memory stick here. I'll have a look.

bollie7

There was a MT2 Piper head up for sale in the market place (filter for metalwork) no bids were received so a PM to the seller might get you a good tapping chuck for a reasonable price.

Michael

Originally Posted by variant22

After owning a HAFCO tapping chuck (cheap end of scale) for a while, I can't really recommend it. It seems quite tricky to get the tap setup in the chuck so that it goes straight. Then there is the clutch that seems to allow my taps (Europa, which I no longer buy - make of that what you will..) to explode before it engages.

I am running an MT(? - can't remember 3 or 4) to R8 adapter. It takes up way too much Z to a point of being painful to use. I recently tapped 24 M6 holes using Goliath HSS taper, int, bottom for each hole. All by hand! I just could not trust the HAFCO tapping head to not destroy another tap.

The HAFCO tapping head works well with M8 upwards. I just no longer trust it with the smaller stuff despite the spec stating it accommodates them.

My replacement will be a Tapmatic with a 3/4 arbor (PM me if anyone spots one at a decent price)..

Thanks for that info, what model do you have, I have found many owners of H&F products are not happy with the performance of their products and wish that they had never bought them. David

I've been looking for a bargain tapmatic for a while now, they appear every so often.. Don't know much about Piper. but this one might suit someone..

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Piper-Tap...item43c68c7d25

Ray

Originally Posted by RayG

I've been looking for a bargain tapmatic for a while now, they appear every so often.. Don't know much about Piper. but this one might suit someone..

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Piper-Tap...item43c68c7d25

Ray

Same as mine - https://www.woodworkforums.com/showth...65#post1305165

Originally Posted by Anorak Bob

Same as mine - https://www.woodworkforums.com/showth...65#post1305165

I've yet to come across a situation where i've been tapping under 1/4" and thought, geez a tapping chuck would be good. M8 i have, just recently tapping all the holes in my sine plate. I've been known to start the tap in the DP (Drive the tap in and turn it off at the same time) to ensure it is square and then finish with the cordless drill.....

Way OT, but i wonder how a cheap clutched cordless in one of these old drill stands would go. Rig up a foot switch or something......

Ew

Originally Posted by Ueee

I've yet to come across a situation where i've been tapping under 1/4" and thought, geez a tapping chuck would be good. M8 i have, just recently tapping all the holes in my sine plate. I've been known to start the tap in the DP (Drive the tap in and turn it off at the same time) to ensure it is square and then finish with the cordless drill.....

Way OT, but i wonder how a cheap clutched cordless in one of these old drill stands would go. Rig up a foot switch or something......

Ew

Ew,

I have used the Piper one time only and that was to see how it worked. A bit like the Hercus turret attachment. Both great if you have umpteen of the same thing to churn out. Dust collectors otherwise.

Bob.

Originally Posted by Anorak Bob

Same as mine -

Not quite. The ebay one is up to 1/4", yours is 1/2" - a much more useful size.
My little German Efem goes to 8mm and I sometimes wish for 10.

great if you have umpteen of the same thing to churn out. Dust collectors otherwise.

I will happily use mine for one hole. It lives in the Waldown and there's a good chance it's already got the tap I want in it. That is, 6 or 8mm. Clamp the part in the vice, wind the X-Y table into alignment and have at it. Easy as pie. The only reason I hand tap is I haven't yet got imperial taps in spiral flute. Or I need a bigger thread than 8mm. Or the part is too big. (So make that the only 3 reasons. ) A column extension is on the list.

Originally Posted by Ueee

I've been known to start the tap in the DP (Drive the tap in and turn it off at the same time) to ensure it is square and then finish with the cordless drill.....

Way OT, but i wonder how a cheap clutched cordless in one of these old drill stands would go. Rig up a foot switch or something......

Ew

Shhh.... I use a cordless drill for tapping all the time.. usually tapping M3 in sheet metal type stuff... I've never tried tapping in the mill, I'd try it if I had a lot of M10 or something like that.. I'd rather buy a tapmatic.

Ray