Tapping threads various methods .. what’s yours?

[Noods]

Tapping threads.. For me it’s between m4 and m12..

Frustrated with the tap handle method in that the few i’ve got either become loose during the operation or the square shank just finds a way of not holding the tap.. IMO fiddly and crap..

So i then use my Makita battery drill which is good but, very easy to break smaller taps even though plenty of lube and care taken to back it off during cutting… The bigger taps also put a big load on the motor too..

I know many of you will have mills that can tap threads beautifully.. lucky you if you do..

Some people use adjustable spanner’s but for me it encourages non straight threads..

Do you have a good method or tapping tool you swear by?

Share it with us please..

 

[pawsnizzy]

Vertical mill with tap guide / decent taps too

 

[Seadog]

Pillar drill.

 

[mike os]

Depends how many and in what

Tapping arm, tapping head in mill, battery drill or hand...

 

[Maker]

A decent tap wrench of the right size.

 

[Hopefuldave]

Pillar drill and a reversing tapping head, spiral flute taps - instant threads! Tapping head only goes up to 6 (or 8?) mm, sprung tap guide in the drill chuck and a big handle for anything over that, or throw it in the lathe, drill and then tap or run a die down in backgear for shafts etc.

 

[Noods]

Pillar drill.

Do you just free rotate the chuck backwards and forward by hand…

 

[grim_d]

If you are happy doing them by hand then some decent tap handles will make all your problems go away.

Have a look for old Moore and wright ones on eBay or similar, cheap and work perfectly.

Cheap tap handles are nothing but a nuisance, cheap die holders are less of an issue.

 

[grim_d]

Do you just free rotate the chuck backwards and forward by hand…

Many keyless chucks have a hole in the collar for a c spanner (incase it gets too tight to undo by hand) that you could use to turn it but I find holding taps in chucks to be unsatisfactory for the most part.

Using a spring loaded tap follower on a pillar drill with a tap handle or even a spanner is an excellent way to ensure perpendicular threads.

 

[Noods]

Pillar drill and a reversing tapping head, spiral flute taps - instant threads! Tapping head only goes up to 6 (or 8?) mm, sprung tap guide in the drill chuck and a big handle for anything over that, or throw it in the lathe, drill and then tap or run a die down in backgear for shafts etc.

Me no mill, me no lathe neither ):

 

[Noods]

Many keyless chucks have a hole in the collar for a c spanner (incase it gets too tight to undo by hand) that you could use to turn it but I find holding taps in chucks to be unsatisfactory for the most part.

Using a spring loaded tap follower on a pillar drill with a tap handle or even a spanner is an excellent way to ensure perpendicular threads.

Never heard about a spring loaded tap follower…

 

[8ob]

These are good

 

[MattF]

These are good

Link?

 

[Seadog]

Do you just free rotate the chuck backwards and forward by hand…

Generally I run the drill up to speed, switch off, then use the momentum of the internally as the driving force. It's enough to start the thread true, from where you can carry on by hand. I have an Elliott Progress, which has a back gear, so have tapped under power. It helps having a reverse as well.

 

[8ob]

Link?

Axminster Engineer Series Tap Wrench Aligner

If you have trouble getting your taps to start off square in the pilot hole then this device could be for you. The tap wrench, which will handle from 2.5mm to 6mm square, locates in a sleeve with a 40mm diameter base machined square to the bore to...

www.axminstertools.com

 

[ukracer]

Pillar drill and a reversing tapping head, spiral flute taps - instant threads! Tapping head only goes up to 6 (or 8?) mm, sprung tap guide in the drill chuck and a big handle for anything over that, or throw it in the lathe, drill and then tap or run a die down in backgear for shafts etc.

What's a sprung tap guide?

 

[ukracer]

Many keyless chucks have a hole in the collar for a c spanner (incase it gets too tight to undo by hand) that you could use to turn it but I find holding taps in chucks to be unsatisfactory for the most part.

Using a spring loaded tap follower on a pillar drill with a tap handle or even a spanner is an excellent way to ensure perpendicular threads.

How do you know what size C spanner to get? I am finding my keyless chuck tightens up while tapping so it's damn hard to release the tap.

 

[MattF]

What's a sprung tap guide?

Spring Tapping Guides - Arc Euro Trade

Spring Tapping Guides: A handy accessory for any machinist. Spring tapping guides ensure you start every tap or reamer straight with perfect alignment.

www.arceurotrade.co.uk

 

[atomant48]

Generally I run the drill up to speed, switch off, then use the momentum of the internally as the driving force. It's enough to start the thread true, from where you can carry on by hand. I have an Elliott Progress, which has a back gear, so have tapped under power. It helps having a reverse as well.

I’ve often wondered how to do this in a pillar drill. How do you let the tap travel in as it cuts the thread ?? I’ve always wondered that bit - like you’d have to turn the handle at exactly the right speed for it to work ??

 

[ukracer]

Spring Tapping Guides - Arc Euro Trade

Spring Tapping Guides: A handy accessory for any machinist. Spring tapping guides ensure you start every tap or reamer straight with perfect alignment.

www.arceurotrade.co.uk

Oh I have got one already..lol