tapmatic?

gull wing

gull wing

Joined
May 4, 2002
Messages
2,536
Seeing the tapping question earlier reminded me to ask.
Where can a person get a "Tapmatic"? I saw photos of this gadget in a knife mag a long time ago. They say you don't break taps nearly as often with it.
They are pricey though.
 
If you are doing folders, look for the 30X model. Lots of them on ebay but you never know what condition they are in. Good thing is that Tapmatic has great support/customer service.
 
I got a 30x on ebay for less than half of new and it works fine. They are amazing little gizmos.
 
I have a small one ( up to 1/4" ) that gets a lot of work in my shop. It's getting a little rattley after about 30 years of use but still works perfect. We use only gun taps -- the 2 flute kind that push the chips ahead of its self -- and it's been years since any one has broken a tap. I am sure you will be pleased if you get one.
 
Thank you all.
In looking at more photos of the unit, I have questions.
It does not appear that you can just chuck it up in your chuck..
How does it mount to the drill press?
What other additional parts does it require to mount?
 
You need to find out what the spindle taper of the drill press is. It'll probably be either a female Morse taper or a male Jacobs taper.

If your drill press spindle has a Morse taper, you'll need an adapter to go from the female Morse on the drill press to the female Jacobs in the back end up the Tapmatic.

If your drill press spindle has a Jacobs taper, find out which one it is (it's probably printed/etched on the drill chuck) and find a Tapmatic with the same size taper in it.

If you've never seen one of these mating tapers, you won't believe they work. The male side is a smooth metal cone and the female side is a hole which perfectly matches it. If both are nice and clean, you simply fit them together and knock them together with a hammer (put a piece of wood or plastic in the way of the hammer to avoid messing anything up).

-Allin
 
gull wing said:
Seeing the tapping question earlier reminded me to ask.
Where can a person get a "Tapmatic"? I saw photos of this gadget in a knife mag a long time ago. They say you don't break taps nearly as often with it.
They are pricey though.
Click to expand...


They're a great tool. Kinda pricey but you will wear out taps before you break them.
 
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