Tapping with keyless chuck in Mill

I need some help here.
I have a keyless chuck in my mil part of a combo machine.
Problem is that when I want to use the chuck to do some tapping...turning the chuck by hand the direction of turning is the same as loosening the bit from the chuck. I am left with the small thin ring at the top to turn the tap.

I did a search here so I would not bore you with an old problem that has many solutions. On my bigger taps I used a sharpened pin to go into the back of the tap and then the normal tap handle to turn the tap, but not all my taps has that little centre hole.

:headscratch::confused::idea:Please

If your tap handle is thicker than the square on the tap is tall and you have no center point in the tap[ you could make this, and chuck it in your keyless chuck. The conical shape will seat in the square opening and hold it center I use my live center on my lathe when taping the drawing is the same as the the point in a live center. Works perfectly every time.
Attachment 21028

Will try it. :thumbsup:

Firstly, you shouldn't be using a drill chuck to hold taps. Unlike drills, taps are hardened throughout and the chuck jaws can't "get a bite" on hardened steel. Tightening the jaws enough to hold the tap also risks damage to the chuck jaws.

There are many options. A spring-loaded tap guide, e.g.,

https://www.amazon.com/Brown-Sharpe-...ords=tap+guide

held in the chuck will guide the typical T-handle tap wrench.

Much easier to use is the piloted tap wrench...

http://www.waltontools.com/catpdfs/old/tapper.pdf

or you can convert a non-piloted wrench to a piloted model as I did here...

http://www.homemadetools.net/forum/t...uide-pin-39232

For the smaller taps or if headroom is scarce on the mill there are a variety of homemade wrenches you can make...

http://www.homemadetools.net/forum/tap-holders-26298

I knew the answer was here somewhere, I just were not asking the RIGHT question. :brickwall:

Attachment 21035

For starters I will see if I can put a center hole in my tapwrench and then combine MKlotz & FrankS's suggestion. I am a bit under a time shortage.

I know GOOGLE has the answer but perhaps it is good info for everybody. What is the hardest/toughest....Brass or Ali
Just thinking out aloud for making the adapters as MKlots suggested. I have lots of ali stock as I use it fot parts on my race car, but no brass.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by garage nut

I knew the answer was here somewhere, I just were not asking the RIGHT question.

Attachment 21035

For starters I will see if I can put a center hole in my tapwrench and then combine MKlotz & FrankS's suggestion. I am a bit under a time shortage.

I know GOOGLE has the answer but perhaps it is good info for everybody. What is the hardest/toughest....Brass or Ali
Just thinking out aloud for making the adapters as MKlots suggested. I have lots of ali stock as I use it fot parts on my race car, but no brass.

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I only used brass because I had it to hand. Aluminum will be fine. The tool isn't under great stress during use so wear shouldn't be a problem. Steel would be fine too if you have it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by garage nut

I need some help here.
I have a keyless chuck in my mil part of a combo machine.
Problem is that when I want to use the chuck to do some tapping...turning the chuck by hand the direction of turning is the same as loosening the bit from the chuck. I am left with the small thin ring at the top to turn the tap.

I did a search here so I would not bore you with an old problem that has many solutions. On my bigger taps I used a sharpened pin to go into the back of the tap and then the normal tap handle to turn the tap, but not all my taps has that little centre hole.

:headscratch::confused::idea:Please

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When I use a tap in the drill-press or the mill I use a bungee cord to maintain down force on the tap. I have a pin spanner wrench that fits the keyless chuck top ring to turn the chuck if I just hold the tap in the chuck. I just start the smaller ones this way and then put a tap wrench on to finish. If there is room without disturbing the setup I use a tap wrench with a center pip and a conical insert in the chuck. I have a 3 phase drill press with a vfd so I frequently tap under power.

Hi
There are several tapping chucks available which drive on the shank of the tap via a collet or chuck system and have an additional screw which locates on the square to prevent the tap from slipping around. These can be direct drive, fitted with a clutch or auto reversing.
This link will show you the jacobs tapping chuckJacobs Tap Chucks and Die Grinders Chucks, Rubber-flex collets for tap chucks and die grinder chucks
A keyless chuck generally releases when you reverse the spindle. You can use a keyed chuck in conjuntion with smaller size taps up to 5/16" (8mm) depending on the material to be cut.
The Home Engineer