Tap & Die Station

[Silverbullet]

Yes TommyD that is what I am talking about.
I am wondering what the benefit is. Does it just retract the tap above the work piece or a different reason.

Ray

The main reason it's on the bigger model is to save the tap from dropping down and breaking the handle on that model must weigh 6 or 8 lbs. it would only help to minimize the down pressure. Small taps love to snap even when just starting.

 

[TommyD]

I'd assume it also maintains upward pressure when retracting the tap out of the piece it is in, especially as it exits the piece so it doesn't bug up the top thread.

 

[rdean]

OK that makes sense I may incorporate that into mine also.
Thanks
Ray

 

[Swarfmaster]

That is a very nice set up. You did a lot of work in the build. My only question is, "Do you own a Drill Press?"

 

[rdean]

I do have a drill press.
Ray

 

[TommyD]

To me using a drill press is a last resort....the only resort I have actually. A bear with small taps, holding the vice while retracting the tap and the upward spring effect for retraction of the press spindle, possibly pulling out the lead thread. I have had the vice cock up on an angle them fall off, pinching my delicate fingers.

 

[hackley69]

Nice work! I have been wanting to make one of these for sometime now. Seen where a fellow used a connecting rod from a small engine in his version of this tool but can't seam to relocate it now. Thanks for posting.

 

[Swarfmaster]

To me using a drill press is a last resort....the only resort I have actually. A bear with small taps, holding the vice while retracting the tap and the upward spring effect for retraction of the press spindle, possibly pulling out the lead thread. I have had the vice cock up on an angle them fall off, pinching my delicate fingers.

Tommy, when you use a Drill Press, you should use one of these nice little gadgets: The large end goes in the drill chuck and the point goes in the tap. It is spring loaded. You lock the chuck holding the tap in place under spring pressure and perfectly straight up. Then you turn the tap with the handle of your tapping holder. This allows you to make a perfectly straight tap without breaking the tap and without pulling it out in error. The best thing since "sliced bread". Buy one. You shouldn't be without something similar if you tap a hole using a Drill Press. check out ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HHIP-3900-0...506205?hash=item280a00a4dd:g:7kMAAOSw5ZBWG5nc

I use one similar to this and haven't broken a tap in years. And I do a lot of small stuff. I just tapped some #6-40 and #8-32 holes in steel. The 8-32 holes were over a half inch deep! This is the tapered gibs upgrade for my mini-lathe.