Dedicated Tapping Setup - Pics

Daniel Fairly Knives

Daniel Fairly Knives

Full Time Knifemaker
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Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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Here's a cool shop addition... dedicated tapping setup!

I removed the stop and guard from the drill so they were not in the way. A lot of tapping heads have a JT33 taper so I picked up this drill which has an arbor taper that matches.

I also chopped about 4" off of the drill column and removed the table so the tap height is just right with a 1-2-3 block underneath my work. I do this to all of my drill presses, it improves rigidity by eliminating the table and makes the height just right for what I do in the knife shop.

The stop for the Tapmatic arm went in a hole in the base of the press... it worked out well and is nice and out of the way.

It works great too!

My shop is a big mess... I just moved all of this stuff around and have a mill just un-crated on the floor!


 
I have a shars version of the same design and a larger procunier that will tap up to 1/2" in mild steel (if I haven't forgeotten the species). Then are so easy to use. Does yours reverse feed and 2x the speed compared to the downfeed?

That is a great setup. Have you yanked the tapping head out of the spindle yet while feeding? That a fun experience.
 
Nice setup. When I can afford to but a tapmatic, I'll probably copy your setup. First I have to get a VFD for my 2 x 72.
 
Great idea Daniel. I'll surely go that way if/when I get a tapping head. Of course they are not cheap at around 675$CAN new. Might get the drillpress at 50$ first. ;)

Thanks for sharing.
 
Daniel, Great minds think alike. :D This is the same setup I did last year. Even the same drill press. Though I still use the table that came with the Drill. Never looked back and don't break taps anymore. :thumbup:

Thanks for sharing.

Bing
 
ok, so im leaving this thread to go look up tapmatic apparently. you mean there's a better way than doing this with a hand crank?
 
PT Doc said:
I have a shars version of the same design and a larger procunier that will tap up to 1/2" in mild steel (if I haven't forgeotten the species). Then are so easy to use. Does yours reverse feed and 2x the speed compared to the downfeed?

That is a great setup. Have you yanked the tapping head out of the spindle yet while feeding? That a fun experience.
Click to expand...

I think it does the 2x reverse speed...

No pulling out the spindle but I don't want to see that! I tried so hard to get my previous tapmatic out of the spindle I think that is what eventually killed it.


plas62 said:
Nice setup. When I can afford to but a tapmatic, I'll probably copy your setup. First I have to get a VFD for my 2 x 72.
Click to expand...
I like it but you can also chuck one up in the drill or a mill collet depending on our setup... this just saves me time.


Patrice Lemée;14703713 said:
Great idea Daniel. I'll surely go that way if/when I get a tapping head. Of course they are not cheap at around 675$CAN new. Might get the drillpress at 50$ first. ;)



Thanks for sharing.
Click to expand...

Stay on the lookout for used ones, I have seen them go for very cheap. If I understand correctly they can be fixed for 40% of the new price but don't quote me on that. The Procunier and other brands work well too from what I hear. I was breaking a tap on just about every folder before I got mine so it was the cheapest way to go! :D


bbingenheimer said:
Daniel, Great minds think alike. :D This is the same setup I did last year. Even the same drill press. Though I still use the table that came with the Drill. Never looked back and don't break taps anymore. :thumbup:

Thanks for sharing.

Bing
Click to expand...

Very nice! I saw your setup on the Bingalor thread and it reminded me to get going on this!

The press is very nice for the money, it beats the heck out of my HF press.



rustyrazor said:
ok, so im leaving this thread to go look up tapmatic apparently. you mean there's a better way than doing this with a hand crank?
Click to expand...

:D I think! Keep that hand crank for blind holes, I am looking for one soon.


Thanks guys, I hope this helps someone out!
 
PT Doc said:
I have a shars version of the same design and a larger procunier that will tap up to 1/2" in mild steel (if I haven't forgeotten the species). Then are so easy to use. Does yours reverse feed and 2x the speed compared to the downfeed?

That is a great setup. Have you yanked the tapping head out of the spindle yet while feeding? That a fun experience.
Click to expand...

shar makes a tapmatic style? thanks for the heads up
 
Patrice Lemée;14704649 said:
What's the quality level of the shar? HF import level or better?
Click to expand...

That photo is the exact one I have ( assuming no changes over the years)

It's a good import

No problems on #0, 2, 4, 6 8 screws
 
The specs on the Shar look excellent including the depth stop.

I'm not sure where it is made but I saw some that appeared to be similar and they were made in Pakistan. The Tapmatic is made in the USA or Switzerland.
 
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