Small Tap Holder

[Dr_GMJNParticipant @dr_gmjn]

All,

Can anyone recommend a decent tap holder for small taps (eg 5BA)?

I'd like a "T" type holder, with a centre drilling in the handle end so that I can use it with a spring-loaded centre in the mill or lathe.

I've got a stepped one (Eclipse) for large and small taps, but it doesn't clamp very well at smaller sizes.

It also needs to be fairly low profile so I can fit it under the SX2P.

Thanks.

[Dr_GMJNParticipant @dr_gmjn]

[egaParticipant @ega]

Are you using the smallest Eclipse tap wrench ie no 141?

That is what I would use for this (square sizes do vary a bit, of course)

[Speedy Builder5Participant @speedybuilder5]

I have had a cheapo "T" wrench for years, it has 3 adjustable collets to fit the various sized taps.

[Clive Brown 1Participant @clivebrown1]

My favorites are the Eclipse 244 and 245. Covers 0-1/4". I find they give a very good feel with less risk of careless bending, and thus snapping, of small BA sizes. Can sometimes be found on ebay.

I only use the chuck type if the extra reach is useful.

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

I use the same Eclipse wrenches as Clive. You can, or could, buy a set of spring loaded guides with both male and female locations for the taps, to fit into a drill chuck and steady the end of the tap as it starts and progresses into the hole.

By progressively lowering the drill chuck, the Tap can be guided all the way to the bottom of the tapping..

Howard

[egaParticipant @ega]

With the 244 and 245 "Super" type you might need a female spring-loaded centre as the smaller taps often have a male centre. They have the advantage of taking up minimum headroom, of course.

The OP is tapping in the mill but when hand tapping a number of holes it is often well worth having two wrenches eg one with taper and the other with second or bottoming.

Martin Cleeve recommended tapping large holes first as the exertion tends to reduce feel for the smaller taps.

Edited By ega on 04/08/2020 12:07:25

[Dr_GMJNParticipant @dr_gmjn]

Posted by ega on 04/08/2020 10:43:20:

Are you using the smallest Eclipse tap wrench ie no 141?

That is what I would use for this (square sizes do vary a bit, of course)

Thanks,

I'm not, it's a 142, but the 141 should be OK.

I notice on Amazon it's listed as E141, and there's an extended rach version available. I just want standard, not extended, but does the "E" prefix mean extended?

Thanks.

[egaParticipant @ega]

My extended reach ones are 145 and 146.

[Paul LousickParticipant @paullousick59116]

I use an Eclipse pin chuck for drilling small holes and tapping. It has collets which hold drills from 0.75mm – 2.5mm.

The collets have 4 jaws and suited for holding the square end of small thread taps. A hole thru the base is used for a torque bar when tapping threads. Drill chuck loosened and used to guide tap.

Paul.

Edited By Paul Lousick on 04/08/2020 12:29:29

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

Put the tap in the drill chuck in the SX2P, you could even tap under power – see the review of the mill on the Arc website where he discusses adding a reverse toggle switch.

[Rod RenshawParticipant @rodrenshaw28584]

E141 is the smallest "standard" size. Old ones, found on eBay etc, tend to be better made than new ones.

The pin chuck, as recommended by Paul, grips best for very small taps (12-16BA sort of size.)

Rod

[Paul LousickParticipant @paullousick59116]

Threading under power is handy but a sure way to break standard taps. Especially small ones. The one shown is cutting an M 1.4mm thread.

Paul.

[Ramon WilsonParticipant @ramonwilson3]

If you can source an eclipse or similar small tap holder then an easy way to get round the need for a centre is to grind a small flat on the side of the tap for the holder to key against – I do this by using the corner of the wheel on an off hand grinder. The tap itself is held loosely in the drill chuck to act as a guide as here – works very well and efficiently – two handed drive.

All the 8BA threads on the two cylinder blocks for this corliss engine was done as such using just the one tap.

If you can't source a small holder then a thin disc, knurled on the periphery with a grub screw through to key the tap is also very efficient.

Hope that helps some Dr G

Ramon

[Dr_GMJNParticipant @dr_gmjn]

Posted by Paul Lousick on 04/08/2020 12:20:27:

I use an Eclipse pin chuck for drilling small holes and tapping. It has collets which hold drills from 0.75mm – 2.5mm.

The collets have 4 jaws and suited for holding the square end of small thread taps. A hole thru the base is used for a torque bar when tapping threads. Drill chuck loosened and used to guide tap.

Paul.

Edited By Paul Lousick on 04/08/2020 12:29:29

That's a good idea Paul – I've got that exact pin chuck in my modelling drawer, so I'll use that. I just checked and it fits the smaller BA sizes very nicely. TBH I hadn't considered it because I thought it was a 3-jaw type.

Thanks!

[Dr_GMJNParticipant @dr_gmjn]

Thanks for all the ideas guys, I think I'm sorted for now.

[speelwerkParticipant @speelwerk]

For small taps (<M 2) I use a pin vice but this is also a nice one **LINK** Niko.

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