Seadog
Save the planet. It's the only one with rum!
- Messages
- 12,430
- Location
- NE London - UK
Depending on tap size, sufficient pressure to allow the tap to fall at its own rate.
- Thread starter Noods
- Start date
Agroshield
Member
- Messages
- 5,707
It might also be called a pin spanner as C-spanners are sometimes the style used for ER chucks. So check the picture before hitting the buy button.
They are sized by the pin diameter and the OD of the item being turned.
If Cromwell have them, Zoro might also have them cheaper:
Workshop Single End, Pin Spanner, 50mm, Metric 3321B-1016 | Cromwell Tools
This pin spanner is of quality design, manufactured from chrome vanadium steel with a black oxidised finish. It is 45/50mm in size. Features and Benefits • Quality, chrome vanadi 3321B-1016 | Cromwell Tools
www.cromwell.co.uk
Gedore, Facom, Hoffman all sell them.
Another option is an adjustable one (link included more because it has a table of imperial dimensions):
Metric ones look to be made to DIN 1810 B
skotl
Forum Supporter
- Messages
- 9,998
- Location
- Edinburgh, UK
I like these. Hold the tap way better than the cheapy holders, and the ratchet allows you to apply pressure & maintain the angle far easier while turning.
Of course, you don't typically tap in one direction for the entire duration so being able to switch back to "fixed" so you can reverse the tap out a little is important.
Can't remember which ones I actually bought, so this is just an example
Of course, you don't typically tap in one direction for the entire duration so being able to switch back to "fixed" so you can reverse the tap out a little is important.
Can't remember which ones I actually bought, so this is just an example
Amazon.co.uk : ratchet tap wrench
www.amazon.co.uk
slim_boy_fat
Member
- Messages
- 29,540
- Location
- Scottish Highlands
Hopefuldave
Intergalactic pot-mender
- Messages
- 2,545
- Location
- The Shed of Danger, surrey, England
Have they got a 60-degree centre in the back to poke the tap guide into?
OMG you nearly gave me a heart attack.It might also be called a pin spanner as C-spanners are sometimes the style used for ER chucks. So check the picture before hitting the buy button.
They are sized by the pin diameter and the OD of the item being turned.
If Cromwell have them, Zoro might also have them cheaper:
Workshop Single End, Pin Spanner, 50mm, Metric 3321B-1016 | Cromwell Tools
This pin spanner is of quality design, manufactured from chrome vanadium steel with a black oxidised finish. It is 45/50mm in size. Features and Benefits • Quality, chrome vanadi 3321B-1016 | Cromwell Tools
Gedore, Facom, Hoffman all sell them.
Another option is an adjustable one (link included more because it has a table of imperial dimensions):
Metric ones look to be made to DIN 1810 B
Ubique
Member
- Messages
- 2,148
- Location
- East Midlands
I use these and a sliding 'T' bar (plus extension if required) for hand tapping, great for restricted access which most of my jobs are.
- Messages
- 22,659
- Location
- Birmingham
The cheapskate option, made with bits from the "will come in handy one day" box 
Does the tightening screw have a hole in the bar end? If so, are you using it? A 4" screw or similar as a tommy bar helps nip mine up so they stay tight.
A bit more sophisticated than a hole drilled in a block of wood - but same principle - great idea.These are good
CaptainPugwash
Member
- Messages
- 100
- Location
- North West England
By hand:
I have two traditional style quality tap wrenches I prefer to use if they will in anyway fit; passed down from my late Grandfather. they're Greenfield Tap and Die Company Massachusetts and may be be nearly 100 years old, i don't know. Can say a lot about the yanks but some of their hand tools are great, and good quality vs value. Can get the tap tightly gripped in these wrenches.
I also have a deep reaching cheap ratcheting tap wrench; i rarely use the ratchet function.
I also have a small drill chuck which i've bodged a wooden handle to, for particularly tight spots.
So I don't really use other tap wrenches, never used the one I made!
I use a tapping compound paste, that's not too runny.
Correct tapping drill size, or ever so slightly bigger for certain applications (bit looser)
First tap, and then second tap (although for something less important or easily removed if it goes wrong, I skip the first tap occasionally in soft materials like brass).
Plug tap for blind holes.
Quality taps, ideally from the UK, Germany, the USA, etc.
Make sure what you're tapping is held well/ work holding.
Nice and square.
Good body stance, if possible, like for filing at the vice.
Be quite firm getting that first 360 degrees.
Then make a full turn, followed by anticlock 1/3 of a turn (ish). Repeatedly make clockwise full turns (or until binding) followed by slightly smaller anti-clock turns.
Clean the tap after every hole, and renew tapping compound.
Remember if you're then doing a reaming operation, to not automatically turn the reamer anti-clockwise at any point!
I have two traditional style quality tap wrenches I prefer to use if they will in anyway fit; passed down from my late Grandfather. they're Greenfield Tap and Die Company Massachusetts and may be be nearly 100 years old, i don't know. Can say a lot about the yanks but some of their hand tools are great, and good quality vs value. Can get the tap tightly gripped in these wrenches.
I also have a deep reaching cheap ratcheting tap wrench; i rarely use the ratchet function.
I also have a small drill chuck which i've bodged a wooden handle to, for particularly tight spots.
So I don't really use other tap wrenches, never used the one I made!
I use a tapping compound paste, that's not too runny.
Correct tapping drill size, or ever so slightly bigger for certain applications (bit looser)
First tap, and then second tap (although for something less important or easily removed if it goes wrong, I skip the first tap occasionally in soft materials like brass).
Plug tap for blind holes.
Quality taps, ideally from the UK, Germany, the USA, etc.
Make sure what you're tapping is held well/ work holding.
Nice and square.
Good body stance, if possible, like for filing at the vice.
Be quite firm getting that first 360 degrees.
Then make a full turn, followed by anticlock 1/3 of a turn (ish). Repeatedly make clockwise full turns (or until binding) followed by slightly smaller anti-clock turns.
Clean the tap after every hole, and renew tapping compound.
Remember if you're then doing a reaming operation, to not automatically turn the reamer anti-clockwise at any point!
God mode restorations
Member
- Messages
- 8,152
- Location
- uk colchester
I do all my whitworth tapping by hand up to an inch...I make a tap guide and use a good homemade tap bar....
8ob
Member
- Messages
- 14,051
- Location
- Nescient in the vale
They are good, I normally get started with the tapping bell and then use an ordinary tap holder.
The Burgmaster has a tapping head permanently attached so that is my go too these days.
I am none too bright at getting a die started square either, these die holders that go in the tailstock of a lathe are useful.
atomant48
Member
- Messages
- 1,780
- Location
- Salisbury, UK
Got it. Thanks. Sounds like something i need to try on some scrap…. And probably with an old tap or 2!
Kram
Member
- Messages
- 7,450
- Location
- Sussex
I was at one point going to buy a set of tap driving sockets as I was getting annoyed with my larger tap wrenches.
For now I use standard tap wrenches but a decent quality wrench and tap makes it a pleasant enjoyable task.
For now I use standard tap wrenches but a decent quality wrench and tap makes it a pleasant enjoyable task.
