Tap holder design - lathe

[GeneT45]

I just align the tap with a center or a T-handle and hold the tap handle while driving it in (ensuring that there's always room for it to spin if I let go). Gives me perfect feel. Never broken a tap that way. Might be tough with course taps over 1/2", but it works great for about everything I do.

Side note: I also only use spiral fluted taps (not spiral pointed). In part because I don't have six types of tap in every size (I pretty much stick to 'modified bottoming' as well). I think another discriminator is that Irwin and Vermont American, and the other junk brands don't make spiral fluted taps, so they tend to be higher quality than what a lot of us start out with.

GsT

 

[Martin W]

I have a set of these quick change tap holders and jacobs chuck in Morse #4 . Makes it a lot easier to drill and tap in one operation.
Martin

 

[pontiac428]

In response to the blank stares y'all been giving me since mentioning it, here's a pic of my clutched tap collet system (aka Billz). I'm maybe $200 into this generous pile, including the R8 EM holder and QD coupler. The collets have belville washers and a ball race in them for setting tension and smooth, repeatable movement. This is the way to go in a lathe as well. As discussed here, a rigid tool holder is not a good choice for tapping under power.

 

[RaisedByWolves]

I also lock the tailstock and "hammer" in the mt2 with a few taps or it will spin out

Tried the a-bombs locked holder last night and it was too nerve racking - back to slippage and hand tap last few threads!

You should be able to either ream the quill or recondition it with bluing and stones if it’s not locking.

 

[martik777]

In response to the blank stares y'all been giving me since mentioning it, here's a pic of my clutched tap collet system (aka Billz). I'm maybe $200 into this generous pile, including the R8 EM holder and QD coupler. The collets have belville washers and a ball race in them for setting tension and smooth, repeatable movement. This is the way to go in a lathe as well. As discussed here, a rigid tool holder is not a good choice for tapping under power.

View attachment 450386

Where do you buy these and which type (WES)? I don't see any chucks available for MT2

 

[twhite]

In response to the blank stares y'all been giving me since mentioning it, here's a pic of my clutched tap collet system (aka Billz). I'm maybe $200 into this generous pile, including the R8 EM holder and QD coupler. The collets have belville washers and a ball race in them for setting tension and smooth, repeatable movement. This is the way to go in a lathe as well. As discussed here, a rigid tool holder is not a good choice for tapping under power.

View attachment 450386

I love those. That is what is used on Flexarm tapping machines. We have several at work. Very hard to bust a tap. Very good adjustment on those.


Cutting oil is my blood.

 

[pontiac428]

Where do you buy these and which type (WES)? I don't see any chucks available for MT2

That's just a common 1/2 round shank chuck from ebay in a R8 mill holder. Called a tapping chuck arbor. They're all compatible with Bilz, or so I've heard it called, but come from many manufacturers.