just cant get a break it seems.

[T0rnado69]

so the comp is ready to go back together. but......

im not going to be able to put it back under the bench where it goes.

due to the pile of metal stock in the way.



getting the comp out from under the bench, we had to use a sling on the end without the handle and tip the top out and lift it over the pile of metal stock. i cant do the same to put it back now, as it has autodrain on the side of it, and i dont want to damage that trying to get the comp back under the bench.

so ive been making a frame with wheels to put this metal stock on. so i can move it out the way and move it about if needed.

using 25x25 box, ive made two U shapes and a beam between them.

got some 100mm wheels and looked for some tube ends,
the shallow ones i feel wouldn't be good enough, too short.
the long ones are way to pricey.
so i found some 30x20 bar in that pile of metal.
so i cut off four bits at 20mm long.
took the corners off on a sander and drilled them out to 10.3mm
to M12 thread them.
got one done, doing the 2nd one and then the tap holder decided to fall apart in my hands, stopping me in my tracks..




unbelievably its like anything that can go wrong, has. its like everything is trying to stop me from getting this comp together and using the plasma cutter.
thats still in the box

now i know how others feel when they say they cant get a break.


anyone know of a place that does good tap holders. (M4 - M12)
ones that can do the job and not made of cheese.

 

[roofman]

Just use 2 small adjustable spanners, one either side lower and higher to get the job done...ive done this in the past to get me out of a pickle

 

[T0rnado69]

that will be too painful on my hands.
i did find a smaller tap holder ( must of been my dad's, as i dont remember buying it)
but because it doesn't have the length im finding it very hard to thread them, and painful too.

even tried it between 4jaw chuck and centre in tailstock with an adjustable. but couldn't do that either.

though i will have a search for some thickish wall tube that i could maybe put over the handles of this smaller holder to get me out this pickle.
something to do over the weekend along with clearing the car

 

[Kram]

If its hurting your hands I'd say the tap is blunted and making an extension might snap it. As a short term fix you can hone the cutting edge of the flutes with a rod wrapped in p800 grit paper or round diamond grit file.

I have had the same problem before with a cheap tap set and my dads old, decent branded taps. They do not compare to a sharp new, modern HSSE spiral flute or spiral point type, almost effortless with a good one.

I like the Zoro Swisstech taps, I have a few like this in different sizes.

SwissTech M12X1.75 Blue Sp/Ft 376 HSS-EV OX Tap PR| at Zoro

SwissTech - M12X1.75 Blue Sp/Ft 376 HSS-EV OX Tap available at Zoro.co.uk - UK's Leading Supplier of DIY Tools and Supplies'

www.zoro.co.uk

 

[premmington]

If its hurting your hands I'd say the tap is blunted and making an extension might snap it. As a short term fix you can hone the cutting edge of the flutes with a rod wrapped in p800 grit paper or round diamond grit file.

I have had the same problem before with a cheap tap set and my dads old, decent branded taps. They do not compare to a sharp new, modern HSSE spiral flute or spiral point type, almost effortless with a good one.

I like the Zoro Swisstech taps, I have a few like this in different sizes.

SwissTech M12X1.75 Blue Sp/Ft 376 HSS-EV OX Tap PR| at Zoro

SwissTech - M12X1.75 Blue Sp/Ft 376 HSS-EV OX Tap available at Zoro.co.uk - UK's Leading Supplier of DIY Tools and Supplies'

www.zoro.co.uk

I ran a thin cutting disc in a grinder up the side of a tap flute "in temper" this week to get something done (not recommended but needs must)

 

[anto44]

Sometimes if you're lucky the square end of the tap will fit a 12 point socket nicely and you can use it with a Tbar.
I bought these 3/8" drive tap holders and they're great.

Adjustable Tap Socket Set 2pc | AK872 | Sealey

1 Year Guarantee - Use for accurate tapping and reaming in tight spaces. Fits onto 3/8"Sq drive ratchets. Knurled ring twists to help tighten taps securely. Fits taps with shank size up to 10mm.

www.sealey.co.uk

 

[premmington]

Sometimes if you're lucky the square end of the tap will fit a 12 point socket nicely and you can use it with a Tbar.
I bought these 3/8" drive tap holders and they're great.
View attachment 361467

Adjustable Tap Socket Set 2pc | AK872 | Sealey

1 Year Guarantee - Use for accurate tapping and reaming in tight spaces. Fits onto 3/8"Sq drive ratchets. Knurled ring twists to help tighten taps securely. Fits taps with shank size up to 10mm.

www.sealey.co.uk

Pardon our interruption...

I got a set of these Lisle sockets - and I paid nothing like £150quid for them (£30+ I think?).

LASER Tap Socket Set 3/8inD; 1/4inD; 8pc | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for LASER Tap Socket Set 3/8inD; 1/4inD; 8pc at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

This is where the smart money is! Laser!

Socket adapters have low wall thickeness and allow you access past things on vehicles.

 

[anto44]

Pardon our interruption...

I got a set of these Lisle sockets - and I paid nothing like £150quid for them (£30+ I think?).

LASER Tap Socket Set 3/8inD; 1/4inD; 8pc | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for LASER Tap Socket Set 3/8inD; 1/4inD; 8pc at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

This is where the smart money is! Laser!

Socket adapters have low wall thickeness and allow you access past things on vehicles.

I have a set identical to the laser ones branded Werk, about the same money, probably from the same factory

 

[gaz1]

all i can say is think yourself lucky that your only moving some stock to put it away

never mind have enough room to store and be able to work in your place

infact i cant even get into mine due to storing the mateials for the house projects in it

6 new doors and also loads of 4x2 framing material insulation and door surround that needs to be fitted up

i will admit i have 3 wheelie bins in there as well with stock in them as there handy to be draged out and wheeled back into shed when needed

 

[James1979]

Pardon our interruption...

I got a set of these Lisle sockets - and I paid nothing like £150quid for them (£30+ I think?).

LASER Tap Socket Set 3/8inD; 1/4inD; 8pc | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for LASER Tap Socket Set 3/8inD; 1/4inD; 8pc at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

This is where the smart money is! Laser!

Socket adapters have low wall thickeness and allow you access past things on vehicles.

Ordered

You are a bad man mr remmington!!

 

[bricol]

I've been known to press an M8 nut over the stem, and then use a 13mm socket to turn it.

Otherwise, I'm lucky my dad bought a selection of small,medium and larger Moore and Wright tap wrenches a long time ago - a lifetime of use by him for his business means the knurling is worn smooth, and the jaws are well used, but they still work perfectly well with no hint of failure, even after the 30 yrs of use by me too.

 

[premmington]

Ordered

You are a bad man mr remmington!!

My advice was the cheaper Laser ones - was it not?

I have loads of Laser tools they are OK.

 

[premmington]

I've been known to press an M8 nut over the stem, and then use a 13mm socket to turn it.

Otherwise, I'm lucky my dad bought a selection of small,medium and larger Moore and Wright tap wrenches a long time ago - a lifetime of use by him for his business means the knurling is worn smooth, and the jaws are well used, but they still work perfectly well with no hint of failure, even after the 30 yrs of use by me too.

I got one old real long Moore and Wright tap wrench I "inherrited" from my Father - it is real good for M6 M8 taps. Use it allot...

He don't know at 91 what day of the week it is now (sadly).

 

[James1979]

My advice was the cheaper Laser ones - was it not?

I have loads of Laser tools they are OK.

It was. And I took your advice

Should be here next week. They’ll be handy actually. For years I’ve been trying to find a long tap holder but the ‘chuck’ type are too fat for a lot of access

 

[Kram]

Ordered

You are a bad man mr remmington!!

How much?!
I may have spilt some coffee

That (cheaper set ) may be useful. Would either of you know, or be able to measure the sizes?

 

[Lewis_RX8]

I've done the same with simillar tap wrenches made of the same cheese , Abosolute carp

I was going to make a steel one but waiting on some stock for the project

 

[T0rnado69]

cheers for all the replies.
what i found that was my dad's was a smaller tap holder.



the tap itself is part of a 52piece kit, ive had it some years now. but dont recall ever using the M12 one.

reason why it hurts my hands is due to the arthritis in all my joints and carpol tunnel in the wrists.
also due to the short handles this holder has..

 

[T0rnado69]

I've done the same with simillar tap wrenches made of the same cheese , Abosolute carp

I was going to make a steel one but waiting on some stock for the project

i thought of the same. and i do have some 30x20, could use handles and other parts from the cast cheese version that just broke
but to cut that out at 20mm thick, i assume would be on a mill.

 

[T0rnado69]

all i can say is think yourself lucky that your only moving some stock to put it away

never mind have enough room to store and be able to work in your place

in front of the bench, goes my son's scooter. that i just started on to bring back from some years not being used.
(as he manged to get back into work now) with the scooter in there, then no room to work. other garage is full to the door too.
(along with the bike ramp, i wish i could put my son's scooter on)
so i know how it feels..
am trying to get them sorted along with other stuff to do. but with pain in my heels all the time , im limited to how much time a day i can do stuff.

 

[DAPPH]

so the comp is ready to go back together. but......

im not going to be able to put it back under the bench where it goes.

due to the pile of metal stock in the way.

View attachment 361416

getting the comp out from under the bench, we had to use a sling on the end without the handle and tip the top out and lift it over the pile of metal stock. i cant do the same to put it back now, as it has autodrain on the side of it, and i dont want to damage that trying to get the comp back under the bench.

so ive been making a frame with wheels to put this metal stock on. so i can move it out the way and move it about if needed.

using 25x25 box, ive made two U shapes and a beam between them.

got some 100mm wheels and looked for some tube ends,
the shallow ones i feel wouldn't be good enough, too short.
the long ones are way to pricey.
so i found some 30x20 bar in that pile of metal.
so i cut off four bits at 20mm long.
took the corners off on a sander and drilled them out to 10.3mm
to M12 thread them.
got one done, doing the 2nd one and then the tap holder decided to fall apart in my hands, stopping me in my tracks..

View attachment 361417View attachment 361418


unbelievably its like anything that can go wrong, has. its like everything is trying to stop me from getting this comp together and using the plasma cutter.
thats still in the box

now i know how others feel when they say they cant get a break.


anyone know of a place that does good tap holders. (M4 - M12)
ones that can do the job and not made of cheese.

Ask Ardy by PM ........ he has things like , " For a contribution tap wrenches of that size on occasions " .