PA41
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2008
- Messages
- 872
I have a local supply of DOM, and have been hand tapping tube for tracking bars and steering for a few years. I sold HR Preacher some Saturday and tried a better way of starting the tap.
I use the taps and drills from Speedway, and make a 12" tapping handle from 1" sq tube --weld a 3/8 drive socket in the middle to use the 3/8 drive sq for the tap, and a handle on each end. I made a tube holder for the press with 2" sq tube, 12" long with 1 1/2" angle for feet and 2 sinch bolts in a corner to hold the tube.
After drilling the tube the rquired size I removed the bit and replaced it with the tap and used the drill press to start the tap while it was on the press. It lined up exact and made 3-4 turns into the tube before the belts started slipping. I then unchucked the tap, leaving it in the tube and then clamped it in a vise and finished the tapping with the handle. It worked much better than the old method where I'd hand start the tap, and had alot of problems with tap alinment, and wallowed out threads for an inch or so.
Good to find a better way.
Heres a pic of the tap handle and the tube holder for the drill press.
PA41
.
I use the taps and drills from Speedway, and make a 12" tapping handle from 1" sq tube --weld a 3/8 drive socket in the middle to use the 3/8 drive sq for the tap, and a handle on each end. I made a tube holder for the press with 2" sq tube, 12" long with 1 1/2" angle for feet and 2 sinch bolts in a corner to hold the tube.
After drilling the tube the rquired size I removed the bit and replaced it with the tap and used the drill press to start the tap while it was on the press. It lined up exact and made 3-4 turns into the tube before the belts started slipping. I then unchucked the tap, leaving it in the tube and then clamped it in a vise and finished the tapping with the handle. It worked much better than the old method where I'd hand start the tap, and had alot of problems with tap alinment, and wallowed out threads for an inch or so.
Good to find a better way.
Heres a pic of the tap handle and the tube holder for the drill press.
PA41
.