Alternative to a tap wrench

[Dooley]

I need to do some M4 taps and my 1/4 and 1/2" tap wrenches are too big.

What would be the next best thing to use ?

Considering just a spanner or nice and easy with the drill.

Can you get something better anyway, would've thought a small drill chuck with a t-handle would work better than the ones I've got and fit more taps ?

[BlueSuzy]

You can get a tbar multi holder thingo for taps.

But if its just one hole every now and then, i use a spanner or a baby shifter.

[rockcrawler31]

For god's sake, unless you're tapping play dough don't use a drill. Otherwise you'll be on here in a couple of days asking how to remove a snapped off thread tap.

[TheOtherLeft]

What about one of these:
http://images.machineryhouse.com.au/T861/0/700

[phils.zook.on33's]

I have used a 1/4 drive rachet and socket before to do m4 which worked well, just need to find a socket that the tap would fit into.

[bubs]

For god's sake, unless you're tapping play dough don't use a drill. Otherwise you'll be on here in a couple of days asking how to remove a snapped off thread tap.

Your not doing it right I have done 1000's of holes with a drill for tapping purposes.

Buddy

[mickyd555]

can you not get away with just a shifter, thats how i do my small taps. Just needs a bit more care to make sure it goes in straight!!

[80's_delirious]

Cordless drill-

low speed, use the torque release clutch, use plenty of lube (Trefolex etc)
Get the pilot hole size right, drill the tap in gently a little way, back it out and go again in steps

[Struth]

Cordless drill-

low speed, use the torque release clutch, use plenty of lube (Trefolex etc)
Get the pilot hole size right, drill the tap in gently a little way, back it out and go again in steps

Bingo

[Clanky]

For god's sake, unless you're tapping play dough don't use a drill. Otherwise you'll be on here in a couple of days asking how to remove a snapped off thread tap.

Your not doing it right I have done 1000's of holes with a drill for tapping purposes.

Buddy

They actually make a proper reversing tapping chuck for drill presses to do this.
That said, I dont have one and have used a slow reversing drill many times....I hope you havent jinxed me now

[Dooley]

Cheers guys.

Tried a bit of both the shifter and my drill. Not 100% sure I'd want to do it in my drill by choice, it's a slow drill but has insane torque. The torque limiting settings do next to nothing, lowest setting and screws will strip out wood or sheet metal without kicking in, snapped 14g teks in half on 3/7. Used it briefly to start then switched to spanner.

Either way, spanner snapped it. Got a decent tap wrench, this one is better and holds M2-12.

Still snapped another 2.

Bloody stainless steel plate, 10mm.

3 for 1 1/2 so far.

Oh and with getting them out, smashing them apart with a punch and then drilling with a cobalt bit seems to work, we've got the removal down, just need to work out the tapping.

[BlueSuzy]

Stainless can be a pain with small threads. Just be patient, and keep the shavings out and keep it lubed up.

Are you using a hss tap or shit carbon?

Proper size pilot

First tap 1st with the biggest taper

[Bumpy45]

4mm tap into a 10mm plate. You don't need to have 100% depth. Recess the hole and tap say 5mm or open up the hole a bit bigger.

[Clanky]

http://www2.blackwoods.com.au/infoBANKP ... &P=2026630" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Use that Trefolex cutting, drilling and tapping compound. You can get it in spray cans at Bunnings. It stinks but is good stuff

[80's_delirious]

the important things are

correct size pilot hole,
lube,
start with a tapered tap, then intermediate to finish,
be patient, ie, screw the tap in 1/2 turn, back it out 1/2 turn, screw it in one turn, back it out 1/2 turn, screw it in one turn, back it out

for 4mm thread, pilot hole should be 3.6mm

[ledgend80]

also there are some square drive ratchet spanners that are used for air conditioning but the do fit the head of a tap nicely. mr snap off sells them.