Tapping with keyless chuck in Mill

[mklotz]

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