Author Topic: Tail stock tap holder  (Read 5210 times)

Offline NormanV

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Tail stock tap holder
« on: July 12, 2017, 09:13:40 AM »
I have long been frustrated at trying to hold taps in the drill chuck when tapping in the lathe because as soon as the tap starts to bite it slips in the chuck and no matter how tight I try to tighten the chuck it still slips.
Here is my tail stock tap holder, it holds firmly on the square on the tap and the front contraption grips the round section of the tap. It fits a range of taps from 10mm down to 3mm. The pieces of flat bar sticking out the sides each have a tapered slot that centres the rear end of the tap. I will need to remake those to make them longer so that I can fit a stop at each end to stop them dropping out when there is no tap in it. Other than that I am very happy with the result, I wasn't completely sure whether or not that it would work. :)

Offline j1312v

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Re: Tail stock tap holder
« Reply #1 on: July 15, 2017, 05:19:51 PM »
Hi,

I found this the other day and it remind me if your chuck,

https://johnsmachines.com/tag/tapping-guide/

Best,

J

Offline vtsteam

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Re: Tail stock tap holder
« Reply #2 on: July 15, 2017, 10:00:06 PM »
Not sure how I missed this one Norman. Good work!  :clap: :beer:
I love it when a Plan B comes together!
Steve
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sDubB0-REg

Offline NormanV

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Re: Tail stock tap holder
« Reply #3 on: July 16, 2017, 04:09:23 PM »
J, that is a complicated tapping guide, mine is intended for use in the lathe but that one is more versatile. I had seen the mechanism for holding the tap before but had forgotten about it. It looks much more secure than mine. Maybe it is time to make the mark 2 version.
Thanks Steve, it's a work in progress.
Norman

Offline bpud

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Re: Tail stock tap holder
« Reply #4 on: July 16, 2017, 10:59:12 PM »
I use a spring centre in the tailstock chuck and a small tap wrench directly on the tap.  Admittedly I never tap under power, always by hand, simply because virtually all the threads I use are relatively small....under M6 x 1.  Also the taps I use are conventional ones which need a backwards part turn to break/cut off the chip.  The same process is used in the mill.
cheers
Bill
ps I like the "johnsmachine" device, looks like an interesting project!!

Offline NormanV

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Re: Tail stock tap holder
« Reply #5 on: July 20, 2017, 11:32:05 AM »
I've made the Mk.2 version. It is much better than the Mk.1.
I had to use brass for the jaws as that was the only material that I had that is the right thickness, I didn't want to mill down some thicker steel.
I've just tried it out, tapping under power it worked beautifully.
Thanks for pointing it out to me, J.

Offline j1312v

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Re: Tail stock tap holder
« Reply #6 on: July 20, 2017, 12:03:56 PM »
I knew you will like it as soon as I saw your post...   :beer:
 
That holder is on my list of things to do one of these days :loco:

Joe

Offline vtsteam

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Re: Tail stock tap holder
« Reply #7 on: July 20, 2017, 08:07:06 PM »
Looks nice!
I love it when a Plan B comes together!
Steve
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sDubB0-REg