Tapmatic question

Britt_Askew

Britt_Askew

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Dec 9, 2010
Messages
1,217
I came across what I thought was a great deal on a tapmatic but I think it is missing parts??? Shouldnt there be a collet to hold the tap (like a router) 003.jpg
 
there should be a collet. I've never owned a tapmatic, but the automatic reversing tapping head I used to have came with a few sizes of rubber collets. A quick search on ebay for "rubber collet" shows that there's a decent selection of collets listed for use with tapmatics
 
I can't tell the model; but there are two sizes of rubber/metal collets that cover a range of tapes, at least for this size Tapematic depending on what you are going to run. They are pricey, around 55 dollars per. When you mount the tap in the collet, the rubber will be around the "round" part of the tap with the square area at the end will be inside a slotted receiver, its above the top of the rubber collet. This is what applies torque to the tap. The rubber just positions the tap and allows a little wiggle room.
 
Thanks for that explanation Fred. It is a model 30x and there is also the #33jt. I bought it to tap 2-64 threads for folders. I got it cheap enough that I could buy the new collet and still have one at a great price but then I guess I take the chance there are more problems inside. I will probably send it back.
 
Spalted said:
Thanks for that explanation Fred. It is a model 30x and there is also the #33jt. I bought it to tap 2-64 threads for folders. I got it cheap enough that I could buy the new collet and still have one at a great price but then I guess I take the chance there are more problems inside. I will probably send it back.
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I bought mine off e-bay, its the 30X. I replaced the collet and made a reversing stop bar for the drill press. I tap a hundred 1/4 X 20 holes at a session; best two hundred bucks I've spent in a while.

Using the tapping fluid they recommend on their site is a good choice, rather than kool mist or other milling liquid.

Best of luck with the new tool, Fred
 
There aren't a whole lot of Tapmatic clones available, but I think if you can track down parts the collets should fit. I have used both the name brand and the imports.

The Tapmatic is one of my favorite tools, although I don't use it as often as I should.

Make sure you utilize the clutch properly, it will save you a lot of heartache.

Tap Magic and Tap Magic Aluminum are my two favorite fluids. The aluminum stuff is a bit stinky and it will soak into your skin so wear gloves, but nothing works better.
 
If I knew it wouldnt have more problems I would just buy a new collet and be happy, but if I do that and it has other problems I would be screwed. I bought this on ebay and I will send it back and get a refund. The seller didnt let on he was a pawn shop in the listing but the box has a return address of a pawn shop so that makes me think there is a chance the inside is screwed too. I just wanted to make sure it was supposed to have a collet before I complained about it not having one ;)

Since I started reading the book "Tactical Folding Knife" by Mr Bob Terzuola I have been keeping an eye on ebay for one and this had a buy it now for 99.00 , thought I had a deal. I will keep looking.

I would also like to say an extra thanks to "The Count" for posting in another thread that the book was available online in a PDF. When I decided to get the book the cheapest one on Amazon was 450.00 and when I just looked the current CHEAPEST price is 750.00 If they ever reprint the book I will buy a copy to show my appreciation but I just cant see the money they are asking for one now.

Thanks to all for the input.
 
That's actually a great price if it works at all. I paid $150 for my imitation one and was thrilled at that price. Normally used brand name units are in the $200-300 range or more.

If you like I can try and help you with a collet source. For knifemaking you should only need a single size to start.

I have quite a bit of experience with these due to my former career as a machinist, and the one you posted a pic of does not look particularly worn compared to what I've seen. These things sometimes look like they were unearthed at an archaeological site and still work perfect.
 
I was not planing on buying one yet ( havnt even ordered any titanium yet) but at that price I just had to.
I have already made contact with the seller and was told to just send it back for a refund. BUT I just put a tap in it and played with it some (just holding the tap) and if I loosen the clutch it spins freely and tighten the clutch some and it grabs and feels good ....... I may just chance it and order a collet.

Thanks for the link Fred
 
Spalted said:
Thanks for that explanation Fred. It is a model 30x and there is also the #33jt. I bought it to tap 2-64 threads for folders. I got it cheap enough that I could buy the new collet and still have one at a great price but then I guess I take the chance there are more problems inside. I will probably send it back.
Click to expand...

J 33 is the mounting taper to attach the chuck to the press. Unless you're into high volume production, you might be better off with a hand tapper like the Cedarberg. The extra time it took to use the hand tapper would be recovered from the set up time for the Tapmatic.
 
Spalted said:
I was not planing on buying one yet ( havnt even ordered any titanium yet) but at that price I just had to.
I have already made contact with the seller and was told to just send it back for a refund. BUT I just put a tap in it and played with it some (just holding the tap) and if I loosen the clutch it spins freely and tighten the clutch some and it grabs and feels good ....... I may just chance it and order a collet.

Thanks for the link Fred
Click to expand...

tiguy7 said:
J 33 is the mounting taper to attach the chuck to the press. Unless you're into high volume production, you might be better off with a hand tapper like the Cedarberg. The extra time it took to use the hand tapper would be recovered from the set up time for the Tapmatic.
Click to expand...

Grizzly G8748 Hand Tapping Machine is a copy of that one.
It's pretty simple and you could probably build one if you want.


HallHandmade said:
That's actually a great price if it works at all. I paid $150 for my imitation one and was thrilled at that price. Normally used brand name units are in the $200-300 range or more.

I have quite a bit of experience with these due to my former career as a machinist, and the one you posted a pic of does not look particularly worn compared to what I've seen. These things sometimes look like they were unearthed at an archaeological site and still work perfect.
Click to expand...

I have an euro import of one of those and even those are now in the $400-500 range I think the price more than doubled since I bought it, performing much better than my pension.
They are complicated inside,but completely cleanable and serviceable especially if you have the brand name..

I'd try and make it go, once you have it set for a certain size you won't break taps

Just be sure you are using spiral point machine taps not hand taps.


If you're not happy, you can always resell it and still double your money.
 
I would say give it a chance... The cool thing about these is that generally I think the tap would snap long before any damage is done to the internals, and yours doesn't look worn enough to have gotten serious use like I've seen on some of them that were still going strong.

These are true production grade tools and last accordingly ime.

Count, I hadn't realized they had gone up in price. It has been a good few years since I shopped for mine. At the time you could get a new Tapmatic for $500-700, or a used Tapmatic or new import for $200-300. When I found a new import for $150 bnib on eBay, I was thrilled. A brand name for $100 even missing collets is a pretty good deal.


Spalted, watch the rpm, you wanna run these guys nice and slow. Turn the clutch to full slip and the tap a test piece with the size tap and material you are using, and turn the clutch up just enough so it will barely start turning, then a hair past that. It should keep you from breaking taps in most instances.

Don't inherently trust the clutch markings for #4, #6, etc. They are a guideline, but change depending on tap style and material.
 
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Lots of good advice. I think I will take a chance and order the collet. Set up hopefully will be a one time thing, if it works it will soon have its own drill press. I will give an update after I get the new collet. Thanks
 
I just recently bought a JSN7 (?) and had the company I got it from send me the right stub shaft for my drill press. It did have two included, but not the right size.It was a Canadian company called Accusize Industrial I bought nit from for Close to $250 Canadian including the stub shaft and mailing costs. I have it set up for 0 X 80 screws. I have only done a few hundred holes with it but as the saying goes I should have had one years ago. I found if very simple to set up after some advice from Ed Caffery and Les George. Frank
 
Frank Niro said:
I just recently bought a JSN7 (?) and had the company I got it from send me the right stub shaft for my drill press. It did have two included, but not the right size.It was a Canadian company called Accusize Industrial I bought nit from for Close to $250 Canadian including the stub shaft and mailing costs. I have it set up for 0 X 80 screws. I have only done a few hundred holes with it but as the saying goes I should have had one years ago. I found if very simple to set up after some advice from Ed Caffery and Les George. Frank
Click to expand...

Spalted said:
Lots of good advice. I think I will take a chance and order the collet. Set up hopefully will be a one time thing, if it works it will soon have its own drill press. I will give an update after I get the new collet. Thanks
Click to expand...



Interesting source Frank

24$ on the collets too if those prices are current
http://www.accusizetools.ca/upfile/28.pdf
 
If you decide against this for done reason, look at the procunier tapping heads. They are smooth and stout and will last you for many years.
 
Salem I will keep that in mind and if I decide folders are not fun its yours. I am still not sure what kind of knives I want to make mostly, I have been trying a little bit of everything (hunters,kitchen knives, bowies...)to see what I like doing better and so far I have kind of been surprised, what I like making so far is what I thought I wouldnt like as much. I think folders are going to be for me but.....

I looked at the collets in the link count posted this morning and they were a different brand and my luck one would be 1/16 taller or something so
I ordered the collet from the link Fred posted and already have a tracking #
The ebay seller even offered to pay for half .... now to see if it works . At that price it is worth taking the chance I guess.

Now I just need to order a tapered tap and some titanium. This is the right kind of tap right? http://www.ebay.com/itm/280984278015?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
 
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