Had enough of tapping off-square holes

**Anorak Bob** · 5th August 2013, 10:12 AM

I've never had to face the unenviable task of tapping hundreds of holes, never had to tap tens of holes either. When I do tap holes I either use a guided holder in my drill (or mill) if space permits and if it doesn't I turn up a little chuck mounted spigot that fits into the tap handle above the tap and provides alignment. Some taps have a centre drilled hole making alignment easy enough with a dead centre or something similar.

If the unenviable comes along, I could dust off the Piper - https://www.woodworkforums.com/f65/di...7/#post1517758 I have yet to use the thing in anger.

BT

**variant22** · 5th August 2013, 05:20 PM

Originally Posted by Anorak Bob

If the unenviable comes along, I could dust off the Piper - https://www.woodworkforums.com/f65/di...7/#post1517758 I have yet to use the thing in anger.

BT

I like this BT. I could have done with one of these but have taken the easy option.. I do however see a lot of use in these.

**variant22** · 25th August 2013, 09:36 PM

I managed to test out the new tapping head on the weekend. It works like a dream. Night and day compared to hand tapping. I could hardly believe my eyes seeing how easily the M12 went into mild steel, then magically reversed itself on the way out. The only issue is the fact it is MT3 and I run R8. Tapping head + MT3 to R8 eats Z (~300mm of it!) like no other tool. The first job to do when I finally get around to purchasing a lathe will be a 3/4 straight arbor to suit!

Without further ado..
tapping_head_action.jpg

**andrew_mx83** · 26th August 2013, 12:03 AM

This was my solution to the dilemma of tapping off square. Works a treat. The weight of the handle acts as a flywheel and basically drives the tap in and out with 1 flick (small holes only, big ones a bit slower)
I do a regular job where i tap 5 holes in each part, which now takes 55 seconds total and they are all dead square.

Obviously you get plenty of feel so no issues breaking taps. The do slip in the chuck occasionally, but better than breaking them IMO. I have been holding taps in chucks for ages, my previous tapping machine was the trusty old cordless drill

)

**BaronJ** · 26th August 2013, 06:53 AM

Originally Posted by Brobdingnagian

You might like to check this out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBrrVnYBPOQif you go to about 16minutes in he has a poor mans power tap...-Josh

The way the drill table flexes I wouldn't like to use a small tap that way !

**Michael G** · 26th August 2013, 07:48 AM

Good one Andrew - I'd not thought of using an old hand powered drill press for tapping, but it should work a treat.

Michael

**andrew_mx83** · 27th August 2013, 03:10 AM

Originally Posted by Michael G

Good one Andrew - I'd not thought of using an old hand powered drill press for tapping, but it should work a treat.

Michael

Me either! I set out to find a bench mounted drill press, then i saw this and thought it was perfect. It works extremely well, i wouldn't really do it any other way now. Maybe a better tap holding solution, but then you would run the risk of breaking them.
I put the strip of ally there and some T nuts for clamping, but i usually just hold stuff by hand.

It's fast and it taps square, im happy

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