Tapping threads straight

Randy3000 said:
The nut method may be useful in the future, but how do you get it centered exactly? Do you use the nut as a guide when drilling the hole and then use it again to guide the tap?
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Admittedly, only done this on holes over 1/4”. Concentric alignment was just with the tap nosing slightly thru the nut. Clamping was done with c-clamps or pressing between teeth of an excavator bucket.
 
Randy3000 said:
I want one, where did you get that?

Edit
Wow, i found some of these tappers for $600! Most are $150-$200. I think i will try to find a used one.
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I’ve got one about exactly the same as that. Bought it from a maker in South Africa I believe a few years back. Can’t remember what it cost, but it was a ways less than what you mentioned. It’s worked well for me when tapping Ti liners for 2-56 screws.

Jeremy
 
Randy3000 said:
I want one, where did you get that?

Edit
Wow, i found some of these tappers for $600! Most are $150-$200. I think i will try to find a used one.
Click to expand...
The one in the picture is a Cedarberg. The smallest collet runs all the smaller sized taps.
 
Years back a member here named we called Higgie made a hand tapper for doing knife work tapping with our small taps. IIRC, he called it something like "Tap-O-Matic". It was a really neat tool. The price was very affordable.
Mentioning that makes me realize I haven't seen mine in several years. Hopefully it is in a box of taps somewhere in the shop, but I have a habit of lending things out and never following up to get them returned. Oh well, one more thing to look for. If I find it I'll post a photo.
 
Use a drill press to drill a straight hole


Stop buying taps at hardware stores. for some reason, they all sell plug taps

They are made to clean out a thread, but not to start a new one


I like spiral point taps, but a get a HSS taper tap it wiill start easier.

As was said, drill the hole in a drill press, then use the setup to guide the tap straight.
 
12345678910 said:
Use a drill press to drill a straight hole


Stop buying taps at hardware stores. for some reason, they all sell plug taps

They are made to clean out a thread, but not to start a new one


I like spiral point taps, but a get a HSS taper tap it will start easier.

As was said, drill the hole in a drill press, then use the setup to guide the tap straight.
Click to expand...

I like this technique. If you do have to use a plug tap, leave the piece in your vise on the press table and either chuck the tap and hand thread, using the chuck for alignment (works in a pinch but not ideal). Better yet, get a dead center ( https://www.amazon.com/Shank-Revolv...8&qid=1536511588&sr=1-23&keywords=dead+center ) and chuck it in the press after drilling your hole. Use the press to align and put downward pressure on the tap via the little dimple in the back of the tap while threading with your wrench.
 
i drill the hole in the mill with an aluminum dummy table. Once i copy those holes in other parts (if necesary, like bolsters) i remove the
transmission band and hand tap the hole, using the same dummy table. so i'm sure i have the exact same angle hole-tap.
for 0-80 taps i adjust it with my hands.. so i dont break it.. so often :S
 
Don Hanson III said:
I chuck the taps up on the round part of the shank, not the square end. This way they slip before they brake. Speed helps too, zip em in & zip em out. I'm usually tapping Ti between .040 -.070" and Damascus.
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From what I have read about tapping titanium, that IS actually how you should do it. Although a drill press/mill would be a safer bet so there is much less lateral stress on it.
 
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