Tailstock tap holder using a posilock collet chuck

[John CoatesParticipant @johncoates48577]

I have been getting by without a tailstock die and tap holder during my learning phase (since May 2010) but decided to make one about month ago. It is still work in progress but the die sliding body and die holders are done, they just need tapping for the grub screws.

 

Anyway I decided to make a new securing nut for my toolpost and wanted one with a permanent handle. Anyway I needed to tap the 1/2″ thread in the body for the toolpost pillar. Hit the usual problem of having no tailstock tap holder to get the tap true in the workpiece

 

Then realised that my posilock collect chuck was MT3, the same as my tailstock, and that if I could turn a collet with a round bore for the tap shank and square hole for the tap end, I could hold the tap securely in the collect chuck in the tailstock.

 

Anyway have finished this today. The first collet is not pretty but it is functional and taught me the process to follow and what is important to get right. The tap sat true in the collect chuck in the tailstock and I got the thread properly started in the workpiece.

 

And I don’t need to make a tailstock tap holder for a while longer

[John CoatesParticipant @johncoates48577]

[NobbyParticipant @nobby]

Hi

If the tap has a center at the back .

With job in chuck put a center in the tailstock then bring it forward to support the tap true using tap wrench tap the hole keeping pressure on the tap using hand wheel on the tailstock. Please switch lathe off & use safety glasses when doing this. I use a mandrel handle this helps

Regards Nobby

 

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