I needed a tapping jig, so about 20 years ago, I built this.
Been using it ever since.
Thousands of holes have been tapped with this thing.
It was starting to look pretty cruddy, so I cleaned it up, and took some
pictures, thought you guys might like to see it.
The main arm is made from 2-1/2 square tube.
The base was made from rusty old 9" channel from the scrap pile.
The bushing for the spindle was welded at the bottom and then the whole
arm was bolted to a mill and bored & honed for the spindle.
The knob on the front is a spindle lock.
For small taps, just use the large knurled knob, bigger ones use the handles.
The channel iron base was milled and sanded, as I don't have a surface grinder.
All welds are done with a buzz box type AC stick welder.
The Jacobs 1/2" chuck will take up to a 5/8" tap without much slipping.
Spirial point taps are used most of the time, and they turn much easier
than regular hand taps.
The tap storage drawer is made from hard maple, with a clear laquer
finish. Its turned, kind of yellow over the years.
Another tray, is located under the top tray, for fine thread taps.
(Never bought the taps to fill it though.)
Top tray removed from drawer.
I even made the small knob for the drawer front.
The drawer runs on 2 pieces of 1/4" keystock.
You can see how it has been boxed in to keep shavings from
entering the drawer area.
Back view showing the shaving clean-out cover.
Shaving cover removed.
I kind of take this thing for granted, any more, but i would sure miss it
if I didn't have it anymore.
Got a lot of other goodies,I have made over the years, I might post as well.
Best of luck on all your projects.
-John
Been using it ever since.
Thousands of holes have been tapped with this thing.
It was starting to look pretty cruddy, so I cleaned it up, and took some
pictures, thought you guys might like to see it.
The main arm is made from 2-1/2 square tube.
The base was made from rusty old 9" channel from the scrap pile.
The bushing for the spindle was welded at the bottom and then the whole
arm was bolted to a mill and bored & honed for the spindle.
The knob on the front is a spindle lock.
For small taps, just use the large knurled knob, bigger ones use the handles.
The channel iron base was milled and sanded, as I don't have a surface grinder.
All welds are done with a buzz box type AC stick welder.
The Jacobs 1/2" chuck will take up to a 5/8" tap without much slipping.
Spirial point taps are used most of the time, and they turn much easier
than regular hand taps.
The tap storage drawer is made from hard maple, with a clear laquer
finish. Its turned, kind of yellow over the years.
Another tray, is located under the top tray, for fine thread taps.
(Never bought the taps to fill it though.)
Top tray removed from drawer.
I even made the small knob for the drawer front.
The drawer runs on 2 pieces of 1/4" keystock.
You can see how it has been boxed in to keep shavings from
entering the drawer area.
Back view showing the shaving clean-out cover.
Shaving cover removed.
I kind of take this thing for granted, any more, but i would sure miss it
if I didn't have it anymore.
Got a lot of other goodies,I have made over the years, I might post as well.
Best of luck on all your projects.
-John
