Question About Hand Tapper

[djf123]

I want to buy a hand tapper, and I am not sure which one is best to buy. I'm stuck between two namely:
https://www.penntoolco.com/precise-ultra-precision-torque-drive-hand-tapper-3900-0257/
and
https://www.penntoolco.com/precise-universal-hand-tapper/

One has this tapping head thing, and the other doesn't. I'm not sure if this makes this one preferable or not. Also the other one mentions that it is made from high grade tool steel whereas I'm assuming the other is made of cast iron. I'm not sure if this is important or not. Can anybody give me some recommendations as to how to judge these? And are there any better ones out there than these two? My budget is $350.

 

[benmychree]

I'd assume that both are iron castings and the only thing made of tool steel might the spindle or the tap holders, I bought one like the lower listing, but found little use for it, preferring to do tapping by drill press or vertical mill.

 

[Al 1]

do you own a lathe , drill press, or a milling machine. The same procedure can be performed with these items. for less cost. Al.

 

[Grandpop]

I bought the Enco version of bottom one several years ago, with a complete extra set of tap holder bushings. That way I have coarse and fine taps permanently mounted. I recall it was about $100 total on one of their 30 % off sales. I think I would look around some more, they are all made in China so source doesn't much matter.

I like it a lot and use it for all tapping tasks. Well worth the money to me.

I dont use the silly lower clamp thing, I do all my tapping holding parts in a 4" quick acting vise (another 25% off sale). I made a 3.5" high welded spacer to raise the upper casting so the vise fits under easier. I bought a piece of 3/8 x 24 x 24 hrs steel plate, cut it down to 14 x 20, and screwed it to the top of the base. A bit of overkill, 1/4 would have worked just fine. Plenty of room to slide the vise and bigger items around without falling off the little base.

Make sure you bolt the thing down to a table (2 bolts will do). When you get to 1/2 tap it takes a lot to resist the torque.