Gripping Taps in Chuck

[John McGlynn]

I have a problem gripping taps in a chuck. I liked the tapping jig featured recently in HSM which holds the tap in a chuck. However, when I try to do this in my drill press the taps slip (the larger ones that is).
If taps didn't have a square drive on the head this wouldn't be a problem. But still..
Does anyone out there have a method of gripping taps without having to make a full set of sleeves with a square hole at the top?
It must also centre, although I figured this is not an absolute necessity, the principal reason for the jig is to run the tap square.
Any ideas?

[SGW]

I've used a Walton piloted tap wrench for about 20 years and love it. It's like a regular T-handle tap wrench, but it has a rod projecting from the top of the tap wrench that you can loosely put into a drill chuck to keep the tap wrench lined up with the hole you just drilled. It's expensive, but top quality and (I think) worth it. The import copies are NOT as good (guess how I know). Don't waste your money. If you want one, spend the bucks for the Walton. It comes in two sizes. The smaller size handles most taps I use. I've got both sizes, but I hardly ever use the larger one.

[Ron LaDow]

SGW,
Who sells the Walton tools?
Thanks.

[JimmyK]

Hi John:

At work if I have to tap a blind hole; or if the tap size causes the tap to slip in the jacobs chuck, I just put a conventional tap handle on the tap and take any old piece of round stock, turn a 60degree included angle on the end and voila! A homemade center to put into the jacobs chuck. The point of this homemade center will fit into the centerhole of the tap handle or into the end of the tap - depending on which style of tap handle you have.

If you have the type of tap handle that doesn't have a centerhole, you may need to reduce the diameter of the homemade center's pointed end to fit between the two v-blocks that pinch the square cut on the end of the tap.

Hope this helps.


____________________________________
Jimmy K. Ramirez / Kingsville, Texas
jimmyk@gcol.net

[Randy]

Many books recommend rubbing chalk on tool shanks that slip. Supposedly the abrasive nature of the chalk increases the friction between chuck and tool shank. I've tried both blackboard chalk and billiard chalk with marginal success at best, but it's an easy thing to try and might help just enough. Also, cleaning taps and chucks with a degreaser might help, and a different cutting oil might reduce the cutting force. I like Kool-Tool. (Especially the old stuff with the now-thought-to-be-too-toxic 1,1,1-trichloroethane. Maybe there's safer stuff that's just as effective now, I don't know.)

[SGW]

I can't remember now where I got my Walton tap wrenches. I expect it was either Travers Tool Co (www.travers.com) or MSC (www.mscdirect.com).

I noticed the other everning that MSC lists a US-made piloted tap wrench, not mentioning Walton by name, but the price is about what I'd expect (around $30) so it probably is made by Walton. I guess they'd probably tell you if you asked.

[Steven L Jones]

after 30 some years as a tool and die maker.i have found that the most costly accidents happen while tapping in a drill press, I find that a tap that slips is much preferable to one that does not slip and breaks instead .many time totataly ruining perhaps many hours of work. When i do use a drill press without a tapping head on it ,it is best just to start the tap a few turns ,then finish tapping by hand

[sandhouse]

John try this, it may help.

Try making up some, short 2"or 3"inchs long
arbors. Add a thru hole, on-center 1/2 to 3/4
from one end, sized to fit a small
set screw.
Put arbor in the lathe,face & drill a hole, sized to the body of the tap to be used.
Making sure, the tap fits the hole, & it is
deep enought so the set screw holes line up with the flats on the tap.
Add tap, install in drill press & tap away,
BUT, only power tap thru holes & 1/4"DIA.
I have used the type of tap arbor for over #% years http://bbs.homeshopmachinist.net//smile.gif I have broken a few, but they where dull taps & should not have been used.
You could mill flats on them also, some I have, some I haven't.

Sandeater

[John McGlynn]

Thank you all for your help. I liked the Walton tap holder best, but could not find anyone who sold it here in Australia.
What I ended up doing was buying two T-handles, one 0-1/4" and one 1/4-1/2". I drilled their ends and tapped a 10mm shaft about 100mm long into them. I then made up a holder for the drill press for them to rotate in. I have pictures of these if any one wants a look. Just email me at jmcglynn@navigate.com.au.

Thanks again to you all,

John