Tapping with guide?

[Krokodil]

Does anyone here tap with a guide? I saw a youtube video of a guy using a tap wrench and guide in a drill press and I like the whole idea for perfect square alignment.

Then I also saw these blocks with holes for alignment that is placed on the work surface.

Anybody have a preference? Looks like I will get a tap guide for my t wrench as a start.

 

[383 240z]

I use the tap guide (or follower) the first style you mentioned. I have used the tapping blocks that sit on the work, I have also used ones that are threaded (they work pretty good!) I however usually use the tap follower like this one: http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/m...mpaignId=T9F&gclid=CPix0PKS37cCFa9eQgodTFIAZg Keith

 

[Kevin54]

A tap guide is very useful for starting your taps. I've made a dozen or so over the years and gave them to others. I always use it for starting the tap, then back the tap out, remove the guide, then proceed back to tapping. Normally with the thickness of the guide, it won't allow you to tap all of the way through a piece of material if it has any thickness to it. You can buy one, or you can make one. You want to harden it so the taps teeth doesn't wear the holes open. You also want the holes in the guide a little larger by a few thousandths so the tap is not binding up against the sides of the holes. Normally the ones that we use in the states run from 0-80 through 1/2". As far as Metric goes....I very rarely use metric taps, but the same principle applies.

 

[porschedude996TT]

I use them all the time or chuck the tap in the drill press and rotate by hand.

 

[Krokodil]

The link you posted Keith is the one I'm looking for.

 

[383 240z]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Spring-Load...860?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ce803e514
Here is one even cheaper, pretty sure it's the same thing. He ships worldwide!! Keith

 

[Krokodil]

Thanks for noticing my location, not many do! I'll check the seller out.

 

[Larwyn]

I use this, it came from Harbor Freight;

 

[bullnerd]

Like Kev said,you can make them. My favorite one is actually hard plastic. It doesnt scratch the surface.

Also have the spring loaded jobber but also have one thats basically just a point, think of a lathe dead center. Works just as good.

 

[jerryd68]

We use a guide all the time, we have 2 of these in the shop, very useful

http://www.shars.com/products/view/4433/EZ_Tapper

 

[racingtadpole]

I had never heard of such a beast as a tap guide... Possibly another tool on my 'thanks to Garage Journal' list. I usually start them in a drill press or lathe where possible. When thats not possible I have been known to drill and tap a piece of flat bar using the drill or lathe and then secure it to the piece I need tapped as a starter for hand held stuff.

 

[454ragtop]

I have the spring loaded type, but I mostly use one like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/SELF-ALIGN-...294?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4d0ad5cbce
Works excellent for car frames and other jobs that can't be brought to a drill press, or lathe.
Jim

 

[Larwyn]

Thanks Jerryd68, The EZ Tapper looks identical to the "Hand Tapper" that I got from HF, and your link has a much less cluttered picture of it. I'm sure that mine has prevented several dozen broken taps over the 10+ years that I have had it despite the clutter.

 

[alan camby]

tack a nut to a washer.
This is a HD fender washer.

 

[sanddan]

tack a nut to a washer.
This is a HD fender washer.

I like it! Very nice.

 

[ilovevocs]

Thanks Jerryd68, The EZ Tapper looks identical to the "Hand Tapper" that I got from HF, and your link has a much less cluttered picture of it. I'm sure that mine has prevented several dozen broken taps over the 10+ years that I have had it despite the clutter.

I use one as well. I believe mine came from grizzly. I also use a spring center In the drill press or lathe. From time to time ill hold a small square against the tap and let it rip.

 

[454ragtop]

Also have this set, never seen another like it. Has coarse taps and their drills on 1 side, fine on the other. Then has a master guide with a bunch of different "caps" that fit different size tap shanks, to hold them square, all in a cool cast stand.
Jim

 

[zkling]

Spring or non spring loaded tap guide is a good "learn the machines project" super handy to have around.

Quite often I will power tap in the milling machine. If your drill press runs slow enough and you find provisions to reverse it this is very fast.

A purpose built hand powered tap guide is nice like the shars ez tapper. If you want a cheap alternative. Find an old cheap bench drill press. Doesn't even need a motor, and find a way to mount a steering wheel where the pulley originally was. Super handy. 99% of the machine work is done for you already. I did something similar to this with a drill press I found in the trash.

I bought a tapping head for $5 years ago. Did not find it to be as useful as I had pictured. Especially for the price they fetch new.

 

[spongerich]

I haven't made a spring center yet, so I usually just chuck a point in the drill press or mill and hang a 10lb weight on the feed handle. That lets me use 2 hands to get the tap started while applying just enough pressure. IMO, using a guide is essential for small taps which seem much harder to start straight by hand and much more likely to break if they're misaligned.

 

[Regnar]

You could always do this. Takes a little practice but after you get the hang of it you can tap things in no time.