Tapmatic 50 Tc/dc - Ebay

[catoctin]

I picked up a "new" Tapmatic 50 TC/DC off of Ebay that looks as if it was stored in a time capsule. The tool is in new condition, very clean and is labelled "Made in the USA". However. the documentation is a bit yellow and I noted a date revision of 9/77. I also noticed the units sold retail are now made in Switzerland.

Does anyone have any idea when production was cut over to Switzerland?

 

[catoctin]

Another question - What do you folks use as a torque bar?

 

[wawoodman]

On my tapmatic 30, I just bolted a piece of aluminum onto the arm, long enough to hit the column on the drill press.

 

[JimDawson]

Another question - What do you folks use as a torque bar?

This is how I do it. The arm on the tapping head could be a fork to contact both sides of the rod. I needs to be pretty loose. I have also seen a rod holder that clamps onto the quill.

 

[catoctin]

Thanks for the replies. I'll be using this on a PM 935 mill. I have a while yet to figure this one out. It's hard to believe what Tapmatic charges for their quill mount torque arm. Most of the units I have seen on Ebay have some modification done to the units arm so I am thinking many do what Mike suggested.

-Joe