Tapping Stand or Hand Tapper

Inspiration for this one is from Projects In Metal book 3. It was not meant to be an exact duplicate
but rather a build using materials that I have on hand.

The tapper includes two tapping spindles at present and more could follow. Either spindle can be driven
by the tommy bar or the knurled aluminum knob.

The knurled knobs were made from round bar stock and some flat head screws I had on hand.
The cotters are made with 3/8 aluminum and differ from the method used in Projects in Metal.
Cotter details are here:
http://www.homemadetools.net/forum/m...rt-shaft-71576

In addition to the two spindles for tapping there is a hole locator also. It should work for most
material thicknesses with the two ends. If not then I will just make another.

The Post is 14" long 3/4 inch in diameter drill rod. One groove helps retain it in the column support with
the addition of two locking knobs.

The Rails are 5/8" drill rod by 9 1/4" long.

Spindles are 1/2" diameter drill rod and vary in length.

I still need to wind a new spring for the spindles, the one from stock is not strong enough.

The base plate is 6 1/8" x 9" and 5/8 inch thick aluminum plate. The only steel parts are the parts from drill rod.

Drilling 72 holes can be fun if you have a power tapper. Check out this thread for an inexpensive power tapping system.
http://www.homemadetools.net/forum/t...ut-close-71605

Cheers, JR

Nice clean looking job JR.
Nice work as usual

Doug

jjr2001,

That is one very nicely made and versatile piece of tooling. Also great looking knurling job!

Wow. That sure is purdy......

Thanks guys for all the nice comments. It is "purdy" and I hope it works as good as it looks!

Cheers, JR

Great looking tapper! I do have one question that may be related to my inexperience. What is the "jam" plate on the vertical adjustment screw for?
Dave

Hi Dave and thanks for you comments. The plate in addition with the knurled knob are the locking/unlocking
mechanism for the two "cotters" that lock the horizontal rod assembly to the vertical post. You can get a better idea
of the system in this post:http://www.homemadetools.net/forum/m...rt-shaft-71576

You can see the cotters have threads on both ends. The front threads were removed after the 3/4" diameter
hole was drilled thru both of them. The forward threads were only needed to get the cotters drilled. The yoke or
jam plate will pull the cotters tight when the knurled knob is tightened.

Cheers, JR

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Thanks jjr2001! We've added your Tapping Stand to our Tapping and Threading category,
as well as to your builder page: jjr2001's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

<div id="blocks"> <div class="block b1 pngfix"> <div class="bimg"> <div> <a href="http://www.homemadetools.net/homemade-tapping-stand-5"> <img src="/uploads/221248/homemade-tapping-stand-5.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="http://www.homemadetools.net/homemade-tapping-stand-5">Tapping Stand</a> <span> by <a href="http://www.homemadetools.net/builder/jjr2001">jjr2001</a></span> </div> <div class="tags">tags: <a href='http://www.homemadetools.net/tag/tapping'>tapping</a> </div> </div> </div> </div>
<!-- END /var/www/html/homemadetools/protected/modules/zeus/views/tool/postUpdate.php -->

wow - too pretty to use. Seriously it would likely remain on the shelf simply for fear of damaging the fine workmanship in my shop.

Thanks wizard69, Nope, I will use it. Sometimes it will be weeks or even months before I use some of my shop made tools.
However, I use them all eventually, try not to mess them up and if they get scratched, Oh Well!

Can never have too many tools in the Shop!

Cheers, JR

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jjr2001

...if they get scratched, Oh Well!

---

An if it isn't scratched, it begs the question "How would you modify the design to make the tool functional?"

Yep, it got scratched!

Dude, this is excellent! Anything that'll make tapping holes less of a headache is a very welcome addition to the shop!

Indeed, I have used it on several projects and find it very helpful.
Cheers, JR

Nice build. I'm not a machinist but at 70 years old I am having fun and learning. Thank you. Mr Mikey.

Learning and having fun is what it is all about. Enjoy every day as it comes!
Dick