Which tapping head?

MRA · Feb 7, 2018

Hi folks. I hope the mods will indulge me - unlike some people on here who made things in their shed following a career as a machinist, I found a (very part-time) career as a machinist having first made things in my shed! As a result my knowledge of some types of industrial tool is a bit lacking.

So - I need to tap a lot of holes, and doing it by hand is a bit tiresome. I'd like to buy a tapping head and go up to about M16 and down to about M8. I could fit it to a Bridgeport (R8 ) or a Meddings drilling machine (MT2) or even a big radial arm drill (MT5). I'll probably buy something second hand.

Anyone got any recommendations, based on years of frustration / happy experience?

Thanks
Mark

kvom · Feb 7, 2018

For a Tapmatic, you'd need the 70x given the size range. Used ones on eBay are in the $500 range; new is $1k on Amazon. If you buy used, make sure it has all the collets needed for the range.

ODgreenK5 · Feb 7, 2018

I second that. I've used Tapmatic heads in several shop. With a little care they will last for years.

petertha · Feb 7, 2018

The offshore knockoffs are less expensive. But the familiar 'what's under the hood & how long will it last & what if I need parts...' type questions.
http://www.shars.com/2-1-8-6jt-self-reversing-tapping-head

I have a Tapmatic, its a thing of beauty. I would be concerned about 'used' on Fleabay without knowing something of its history. There are 'wear' parts inside with the clutch & reversing mechanism. Half price doesn't mean anything if its clapped out.

nautilus29 · Feb 7, 2018

Did you say you have a Bridgeport? We "power tap" on our Bridgeport at work all the time, and I haven't broken a tap doing it yet. All I do is put my tap in a keyless Chuck and turn the rpm to 60-100. I then use the quill to feed the tap into the part, and then reverse the spindle when I am happy with the depth. Something to think about if you're mill has enough torque.

Blogwitch · Feb 8, 2018

I have found that the Vertex tapping heads are not only cheap, but very good operationally. They come in a few sizes, small, medium and large, go down the page a little. They should be available in the US.

http://www.rotagriponline.com/index...rt&page=shop.browse&category_id=385&Itemid=29

I don't know if these are still available, the head alone is only about 1" long, but I use this one for tiny tapping (10 & 12BA), once the leather clutch is set up, never had a single breakage. Only used if there are more than say a dozen holes to be tapped, otherwise I use a tapping stand.

John

petertha · Feb 8, 2018

I've never seen so many Vertex accessories under one seller. EnvyDang! Most of that stuff is unobtanium here. In fact not that easy to find even in USA.

Blogwitch · Feb 8, 2018

I have the red one at the bottom, I don't know about the cheaper black Vertex ones above them.
You would need to ask if they auto reverse.

John

Cogsy · Feb 9, 2018

I have one of the red ones as well, it came with a heap of other tools. I've never been brave enough to use it, in fact I don't even know how it works.

MRA · Feb 13, 2018

Thanks for all those ideas, folks, and sorry I have not been here for a while to say so. I'd like to play with one of these first - I'll see what comes along. cheers!

Which tapping head?

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