Tapping with keyless chuck in Mill

[garage nut]

I need some help here.
I have a keyless chuck in my mil part of a combo machine.
Problem is that when I want to use the chuck to do some tapping...turning the chuck by hand the direction of turning is the same as loosening the bit from the chuck. I am left with the small thin ring at the top to turn the tap.

I did a search here so I would not bore you with an old problem that has many solutions. On my bigger taps I used a sharpened pin to go into the back of the tap and then the normal tap handle to turn the tap, but not all my taps has that little centre hole.

Please

[Frank S]

If your tap handle is thicker than the square on the tap is tall and you have no center point in the tap[ you could make this, and chuck it in your keyless chuck. The conical shape will seat in the square opening and hold it center I use my live center on my lathe when taping the drawing is the same as the the point in a live center. Works perfectly every time.

[garage nut]

Will try it.

[mklotz]

Firstly, you shouldn't be using a drill chuck to hold taps. Unlike drills, taps are hardened throughout and the chuck jaws can't "get a bite" on hardened steel. Tightening the jaws enough to hold the tap also risks damage to the chuck jaws.

There are many options. A spring-loaded tap guide, e.g.,

https://www.amazon.com/Brown-Sharpe-...ords=tap+guide

held in the chuck will guide the typical T-handle tap wrench.

Much easier to use is the piloted tap wrench...

http://www.waltontools.com/catpdfs/old/tapper.pdf

or you can convert a non-piloted wrench to a piloted model as I did here...

http://www.homemadetools.net/forum/t...uide-pin-39232

For the smaller taps or if headroom is scarce on the mill there are a variety of homemade wrenches you can make...

http://www.homemadetools.net/forum/tap-holders-26298

[garage nut]

I knew the answer was here somewhere, I just were not asking the RIGHT question.



For starters I will see if I can put a center hole in my tapwrench and then combine MKlotz & FrankS's suggestion. I am a bit under a time shortage.

I know GOOGLE has the answer but perhaps it is good info for everybody. What is the hardest/toughest....Brass or Ali
Just thinking out aloud for making the adapters as MKlots suggested. I have lots of ali stock as I use it fot parts on my race car, but no brass.

[mklotz]

I knew the answer was here somewhere, I just were not asking the RIGHT question.



For starters I will see if I can put a center hole in my tapwrench and then combine MKlotz & FrankS's suggestion. I am a bit under a time shortage.

I know GOOGLE has the answer but perhaps it is good info for everybody. What is the hardest/toughest....Brass or Ali
Just thinking out aloud for making the adapters as MKlots suggested. I have lots of ali stock as I use it fot parts on my race car, but no brass.

I only used brass because I had it to hand. Aluminum will be fine. The tool isn't under great stress during use so wear shouldn't be a problem. Steel would be fine too if you have it.

[Sleykin]

I need some help here.
I have a keyless chuck in my mil part of a combo machine.
Problem is that when I want to use the chuck to do some tapping...turning the chuck by hand the direction of turning is the same as loosening the bit from the chuck. I am left with the small thin ring at the top to turn the tap.

I did a search here so I would not bore you with an old problem that has many solutions. On my bigger taps I used a sharpened pin to go into the back of the tap and then the normal tap handle to turn the tap, but not all my taps has that little centre hole.

Please

When I use a tap in the drill-press or the mill I use a bungee cord to maintain down force on the tap. I have a pin spanner wrench that fits the keyless chuck top ring to turn the chuck if I just hold the tap in the chuck. I just start the smaller ones this way and then put a tap wrench on to finish. If there is room without disturbing the setup I use a tap wrench with a center pip and a conical insert in the chuck. I have a 3 phase drill press with a vfd so I frequently tap under power.

[thehomeengineer]

Hi
There are several tapping chucks available which drive on the shank of the tap via a collet or chuck system and have an additional screw which locates on the square to prevent the tap from slipping around. These can be direct drive, fitted with a clutch or auto reversing.
This link will show you the jacobs tapping chuckJacobs Tap Chucks and Die Grinders Chucks, Rubber-flex collets for tap chucks and die grinder chucks
A keyless chuck generally releases when you reverse the spindle. You can use a keyed chuck in conjuntion with smaller size taps up to 5/16" (8mm) depending on the material to be cut.
The Home Engineer