Fixture for tapping threads

[Bill in Colo]

I have alway had trouble getting theads start strait. Does anyone built fixture to do this? I've thought about using a old hand drive drill press.
THANKS Bill

 

[DoubleO7]

I have alway had trouble getting theads start strait. Does anyone built fixture to do this? I've thought about using a old hand drive drill press.
THANKS Bill

Sure...
Most places about $30 or less
Guide Plate

 

[DoubleO7]

@Bill in Colo

For more money you can buy a reversing tapping attachment head for a drill press.

"TapMatic" is one that comes to mind.

 

[moresmoke]

There are also hand tapping machines, or hand tappers depending on the lingo. This is just a random one snagged from the web.


https://www.grizzly.com/products/grizzly-hand-tapping-machine/g8748

 

[560Dennis]

Add a small chamfer from a counter sink helps

 

[4wdtom]

There are also hand tapping machines, or hand tappers depending on the lingo. This is just a random one snagged from the web.

View attachment 71243
https://www.grizzly.com/products/grizzly-hand-tapping-machine/g8748

I have had one of these for years and it works well, use it often.

 

[leroy in ne]

My Tee tap handle has a center hole on back side. I pull drill bit and put a dowel pin ground to a 60 degree center in chuck and follow tap handle with center until started straight. most taps over 1/2 inch have a center in tap that can be used the same way turning tap with tap handle or a wrench to start a round or so.

 

[tom upton]

Are you using a starter/taper tap or are you using a bottoming tap to try and start your thread? Sometimes it is impractical to try and use any fixture except your "mechanical ability" If you got the hole drilled straight it shouldnt be a big deal to tap it straight. It is more of a feel kind of thing along with eyeballing for perpindicular in both directions if that makes any sense. My favorite tool when you have a bunch of holes to tap in a work piece that you cant get into a machine is an impact gun and tap driver set.

 

[Janicholson]

Just putting a taper tap in a drill press chuck on the round shank below the square drive section then using the Chuck key holes for turning the chuck till the threads start works well. I sometimes hang a weight on the drill press feed handles to free a hand for holding stuff. Once started, the tap will slip in the chuck, but that is OK. Loosen the chuck before removing the down pressure. If it is not a through hole, a plug tap may be needed Or bottoming tap if near full threads are desired, but the Tap drill hole will be followed perfectly. Using the tap drill in the same fixture is even more convenient if you do not disturb the fixture. Jim

 

[Janicholson]

As advertised on TV/internet, there are tapdrill/threading combination bits that could be used to produce a starter hole and beginning threads. I do not know the quality of those "new" devices. Jim

 

[Jeff NWOH]

I have one like this. It works pretty well.

Tormach Cutting Tools - Spring-Loaded Tap Guide - SKU 32640

the Spring-Loaded Tap Guide assists in hand tapping with aid of spindle and tap wrench and makes perfect threads every time

tormach.com

 

[Fred Werring]

Sure...
Most places about $30 or less
Guide Plate
View attachment 71235

Been working on stuff, including industrial, for 50 years and never knew these were available. Had just never seen one.

Still learning something every day.

 

[Russ from MN]

If you can put the part to be tapped in your drill press, align it it the best you can. Then put the tap handle on the tap, and place it in position. then put a small center punch in the drill press chuck, and put the point of the punch into the center in the top of the tap. Hold some pressure on the drill press while turning the tap into the material, this has always word well for me. I used to do this right after drilling the hole, then I knew it was aligned.

 

[Dusty MI]

I put a foot switch on my drill press.

Dusty

 

[bc]

Sure...
Most places about $30 or less
Guide Plate
View attachment 71235

Looks like one of those holders for a set of hex head nut drivers for a drill. Could get a piece of 3/8" or 1/2" steel and drill various size guide holes in it. Long enough so you can clamp it, vise grip it, or hold it against your work piece. Could chuck the tap in a hand drill to apply down force while you turn the chuck by hand to start the thread with or without a guide.

 

[old]

There are also hand tapping machines, or hand tappers depending on the lingo. This is just a random one snagged from the web.

View attachment 71243
https://www.grizzly.com/products/grizzly-hand-tapping-machine/g8748

I have one of those but have never used it so it just sits around collecting rust and dust

 

[Caryc]

I put a foot switch on my drill press.

Dusty

A foot switch comes in very handy on a drill press. I put one on my drill press when I was making and selling gun grips. I wired it like an extension cord so the foot switch was in the middle. I just plug the drill press into one end and plug the other end into the wall socket. That way I can also use that switch on any other machine.

 

[4wdtom]

I put a foot switch on my drill press.

Dusty

I have a foot switch I have made up that I can plug anything into. I often use it for an electric soldering iron to keep it from getting too hot as I am working on some small job.

 

[Bill in Colo]

Thanks for all the suggestions, I'llhave to do some surfing.

 

[Charles in Aus.]

Just putting a taper tap in a drill press chuck on the round shank below the square drive section then using the Chuck key holes for turning the chuck till the threads start works well. I sometimes hang a weight on the drill press feed handles to free a hand for holding stuff. Once started, the tap will slip in the chuck, but that is OK. Loosen the chuck before removing the down pressure. If it is not a through hole, a plug tap may be needed Or bottoming tap if near full threads are desired, but the Tap drill hole will be followed perfectly. Using the tap drill in the same fixture is even more convenient if you do not disturb the fixture. Jim

Useful tip re the hanging weight Jim . My arthritic hands say " thank you " .