tapping on the lathe

Shows how I use a tap in the tailstock to make threaded holes. Piece being machined is a steel ballscrew.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• tapping
• lathe
• grizzly 0602
• cnc lathe
• mach 3
• machining

[JohnGrimsmo]

It's easy, since the tail stock slides freely it will only "pull into" the existing threads, never cutting new ones. Works really well.

[JohnGrimsmo]

Thanks! You're right, the tail stock is loose and just slides along at whatever feed the threads of the tap pull it at. I push it lightly at first to start the threads, then pull it gently to pull it out when the spindle spins backwards. Glad you enjoyed it, I should really make some more vids.

[MrPicStuff]

'Looks really good & I appreciate you! Nice video! (I was taught "old school" that you never completely disengage the thread, until you're done with it. Of course, modern machines and modern coolants. Here's a tip from an old machinist (for 40 yrs); use turpentine for a tapping fluid on aluminum & "Crisco Shortening", as a tapping compound for cold rolled & hot rolled steel. For small tap jobs, pull the pin & rotate the chuck by hand, using your chuck-key, if needed & then use a bottoming tap.

[ThePLANxZ]

@JohnGrimsmo I do understand what you are saying, and I do believe you because obviously you see the end product and are satisfied, it just seems like the tap was "forced" back in at times, but that is probably just it catching the thread again right away. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it, but hey, if it works and is faster go for it! Nice vid none the less.

[JohnGrimsmo]

@ThePLANxZ But it is! Trust me. It might be messing up the very first thread while it tries to find the path, but once it catches then the tap gets pulled directly into the old threads. There is no pushing force causing it to start new threads and cross-thread itself. Hope that makes sense.

[ThePLANxZ]

@wreschly exactly what I was wondering...If he is just "manually" pushing the tail stock in and out then there is no way it would be cutting through the same thread..

[wreschly]

How do know its catching the same threads every time and not cutting new threads on each subsequent pass?

[SurreyImpala]

Perfect

[cds333]

Machine porn at 3:10, lol...

Seriously though, nice vid... How did you control the tap feed? Is it via the quill feed knob (manually or cnc) or is the whole tailstock just sliding freely on the ways and you're just pushing it by hand?

[simpleinseattle]

Very cool. Thanks! I have been doing some homework on different machining processes and yours was the best I've found on tapping via the lathe.