I'd Tap That! New Procunier Tapping Head!

[dr_clyde]

We had a few hundred 3/8-16 holes to thread for a customer project the other day, so I decided it was time to invest in a nice tapping head. This is a Procunier 3E with a #3MT input. It's rated to tap holes from #10 up to 1/2" and up to 1000 RPM.

This thing is so nice! Saved HOURS of time tapping these caster plates.

If you've never seen or used one of these, it basically is a fancy tapping chuck that has some gearing and clutches inside to allow you to auto-reverse the tap just by lifting the quill handle. It also speeds up double in reverse to make it faster.

Simply turn on the drill press in forward and leave it there. Tap the hole, and then just lift up on the handle and the tapping head will automatically shift the output to reverse and speed the tap out of the hole. It has an anti-rotation rod on the back that touches the column to keep it from just spinning around and around.

 

[PT Doc]

I have one and it is pretty darn nice. I ended getting all the tap collet sizes just in case. Pretty cool design. Kind of big though.

 

[davethorik]

I've never used one of these, but I'm curious how it compares to a pneumatic tapping arm. How much did that set you back?

 

[dr_clyde]

I've never used one of these, but I'm curious how it compares to a pneumatic tapping arm. How much did that set you back?

About $1200 or so. The damn collets are $40 apiece!

 

[platypus20]

I have a couple Tapmatics, a Buck Versatapper, a Grizzly version and a large Jet drill press with a built in tapping head. The ability to power tap, is an incredible asset in the shop.

 

[MattT]

This thing is so nice! Saved HOURS of time tapping these caster plates.

Yeah they're a big time saver on jobs like that. What kind of tap are you running? It kinda looks like a bright finish hand tap in the pictures

 

[2oolhound]

Nice drill press too.

 

[dr_clyde]

Yeah they're a big time saver on jobs like that. What kind of tap are you running? It kinda looks like a bright finish hand tap in the pictures

No, haha. That a Union Butterfield HSS spiral point tap. My favorite for power tapping. A hand tap would break in short order.

 

[MattT]

No, haha. That a Union Butterfield HSS spiral point tap. My favorite for power tapping. A hand tap would break in short order.

Yeah I wouldn't expect a hand tap to do well. I guess the bright finish threw me off because most folks wouldn't use that for, presumably, mild steel.

Also didn't realize Union Butterfield was still in business. Haven't seem any of their taps new in years. And haven't noticed them in catalogs either.

 

[dr_clyde]

Yeah I wouldn't expect a hand tap to do well. I guess the bright finish threw me off because most folks wouldn't use that for, presumably, mild steel.

Also didn't realize Union Butterfield was still in business. Haven't seem any of their taps new in years. And haven't noticed them in catalogs either.

They are my favorite taps. They’re outstanding in stainless.

My local industrial supply carries them. My go to for high speed tools.

 

[mowkep]

We have Tapmatics. There as good 20 years later as day one. I prefer steam oxide coating for stainless. They seem to last longer and aren't much more than non coated. I forget the goop we use but it's great too. But it does cause things to rust. Nice equipment you have....enjoy

 

[speed bump]

Thats a cool tool, if we didn't just buy a new drill press with power tapping functionality I would be ordering one of these for work on Monday.

 

[VocaTexas]

I forget the goop we use but it's great too. But it does cause things to rust.

Would the lubricant be Anchorlube?

I'd love to have one of those. I missed out on one at an auction because I wasn't sure what the cost of one new was at the time. I quit bidding at $100. I think the winner got it for $150. Wish I could do that one over again.

 

[usdemt]

That is cool! Thanks for sharing

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

It's not as nice as the $14 chuck that I power tap with, but it's still nice.....

What lubricant did you use and what were your tap specs? I actually just ordered a 3/8"-16 HSS chip clearing tap today.

 

[dr_clyde]

It's not as nice as the $14 chuck that I power tap with, but it's still nice.....

What lubricant did you use and what were your tap specs? I actually just ordered a 3/8"-16 HSS chip clearing tap today.

We ran 175 RPM. We started out using Union Butterfield heavy duty drilling and tapping fluid, which worked great, but since these were just mild steel we switched to heavily misted machining coolant, Trim E206. Worked just as good with a lot less mess.

 

[mowkep]

Would the lubricant be Anchorlube?

I'd love to have one of those. I missed out on one at an auction because I wasn't sure what the cost of one new was at the time. I quit bidding at $100. I think the winner got it for $150. Wish I could do that one over again.

No it's not anchorlube. Used that many moons ago. I'll look when I go in tomorrow. We get it from McMaster Carr. It's clear and real thick. It discolors the tool holders. I end up soaking everything in acetone and wiping it down. But it is awesome for tapping, threading and turning.