Tap handle

Yesterday for the "N"th time i had to tap a M12 tread using a small shifting spanner. :flame::flame::flame::headshake::headshake::headshake:

My tap handle can only handle to a M8 and that it even battles to do as it is partially seized and I have to use force to get it to open past M6.

I had some 12mm x 12mm bar so thought thus couls not take long. I have seen them made 1000 times, but it turned out to be a 3 hour job. I try and keep track of the time spent on jobs just to have some idea if do I buy or do I make.:headscratch::headscratch:

I used my adapted 1/2 drive socket to round off the touching part. Perhaps this is not necessary if you are in a hurry because with the socket set up I had to do this in 3 stages. Only letting about 30mm stick out at a time. But I had the time...we are in LockDown.

Then in to the mill for a small cut to flatten where the "V" would go. This type of material is not very flat.

I like to have at least 1/2D left on a side if I drill into square bar, so the initial thought was 2 x M6 to clamp the 2 pieces of square bar together, but a clearance hole in the one side of 6.5mm would have left less than 3mm a side so I opted for 2 x M5. Drill and tap one side and clearance holes on the other.

Bolt it together and mark where the :V would go and back to the mill to machine it out. Several small cut not to destroy my only 10mm end mill.

And after a few coats of paint, I am very happy with the end result. The handles needed to be a little shorter than what ergonomically looked correct, but that is to clear the saddle when I tap using the lathe and tail stock to do tapping. :idea:

Another reason why "MAKING" was the correct decision.

Attachment 34718 Attachment 34719


Stay healthy.

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Thanks garage nut! We've added your Tap Handle to our Tapping and Threading category,
as well as to your builder page: garage nut's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

<div id="blocks"> <div class="block b1 pngfix"> <div class="bimg"> <div> <a href="https://www.homemadetools.net/homemade-tap-handle-8"> <img src="/uploads/232688/homemade-tap-handle-8.jpeg"/> </a> </div> </div> <div class="head pngfix"></div> <div class="left pngfix"></div> <div class="right pngfix"></div> <div class="blockover b1 pngfix"> <div class="title"> <a href="https://www.homemadetools.net/homemade-tap-handle-8">Tap Handle</a> <span> by <a href="https://www.homemadetools.net/builder/garage+nut">garage nut</a></span> </div> <div class="tags">tags: <a href='https://www.homemadetools.net/tag/handle'>handle</a>, <a href='https://www.homemadetools.net/tag/tapping'>tapping</a> </div> </div> </div> </div>
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Hi.
Just seeing this I now know what another tool does in my garage.
Thanks

Years ago i found a similar tool in a second hand store. Think it cost me a buck or so. Nice job otherwise.

garage nut,

Nice quick way to make a useful tap handle!

Nice! I like making little tools like this. These days you can exceed the quality of purchased imports with no effort at all. That to me is key as a quality tool is a joy to own.