spring loaded tapping aid

[brightspark]

heres a spring loaded center bought for 2 quid hardly worth making one .the center fits in the lathe tailstock and the point is centered on the recess in the tapwrench and tensioned up . when the thread is being cut the spring loaded center keps an even pressure on the tap without having to alter the tailstock by hand. perfect alignment is easily achieved

 

[graffian]

Why didn't you just run it in under power?

Your posh, I use an old screwdriver with my tap wrench like that;-)

 

[brightspark]

Why didn't you just run it in under power?

Your posh, I use an old screwdriver with my tap wrench like that;-)

yea its ok winding the tailstock in by hand if your threading steel with taps over 1/4 inch but threading brass and aluminium with small fine taps would ruin the threads easily

 

[Hitch]

I just leave the tailstock loose with the tap in the chuck, push it in until the tap pulls it, reverse, then just as the tap comes out, pull it away.

I dont do fine threads in brass though, works nice for M12+

 

[madkayaker]

i stick the lathe in neutral then push the tail stock agents the tap and turn the two by hand. Lots of brass work! we also have an auto taping head that reverses as you pull the tail stock back with the lathe at low speed

 

[graffian]

I do the same as Hitch. I tap from M2 to M22 that way. First time I ran a M2 tap in I was a bit cautious, expecting the thread to get damaged but it didn't. I haven't tapped below M6 in ali though.

 

[brightspark]

i dont think u would be putting an 8ba tap against the tailstock there only 1/16th of an inch thick and arent centered . ok in a pin chuck using the sprung loaded center though

 

[graffian]

i dont think u would be putting an 8ba tap against the tailstock there only 1/16th of an inch thick and arent centered . ok in a pin chuck using the sprung loaded center though

Send it to me and I will try and power tap with it;-)

 

[brightspark]

Send it to me and I will try and power tap with it;-)

what u got a tapmatic head

 

[graffian]

No just yer standard jacobs chucks.

 

[brightspark]

No just yer standard jacobs chucks.

just to complicate things the 8ba tap is in to a blind hole