Pilotted Tapping Tool

[Artie]

I have a heap of small holes to tap shortly and I want them to be firstly straight, and secondly I dont want too many (nil!) broken taps. I therefore needed a piloted tap driver!

Almost all my holes are 4 BA so Ive built this around that particular size. I will make a few more in common sizes though...

The unit itself is quite simple BUT... I had my first attempt at knurling, and while not perfect, Im pretty impressed with the result...

Pilotted Tapping Tool

Pilotted Tapping Tool

I might just go and knurl something else.....  

P.s. that a 4 BA die next to it for reference... centre shaft is 12mm.

[andyf]

Hi Artie,

I'm the same about knurling; it can be a bit addictive. Some day, there'll be a Knurlers Anonymous for knurloholics.

Ou of curiosity, how is the tap secured in the piloting gadget?

Andy

[Bernd]

Artie,

That is a nice job knurling. I say you did quite well for the first time.

Bernd

[Artie]

Thanks Bernd, Ill definatley use the technique again.

Andy there is a grub screw on the back side of the shaft (cant see it in the pic), I didnt think a tap driver of this size required a huge amount of clamping force, almost usd 2 screw on either sides of teh flats at the taps end but opted for one down on the shaft of the tap.

[Rob.Wilson]

Nice one Rob 

good idea

Regards Rob

[Artie]

Gday Rob, afraid I cant claim the idea. Its a variation of several I have seen on this site and others..... just made good simple sense to me.  damn.... days were short enough as it was....

[Artie]

Well, I used this tool tonight, marvellous. Really worked well, I can recommend this (or it variations) to anyone who taps smaller holes. Great stuff, really impressed me. 

[Bernd]

Aw jeeeeeeees Artie. Just when I thought I'd gotten my tooling list whittled down. I now have to add this one to the list.

Bernd