How to tap a hole?

[alexccmeister]

Hi all,

I have been learning metal machining now for a while and since getting my X2, I have been doing test machining on aluminium, plastic and wood. But one question bug me and that is tapping a hole for a screw. If I get a tapper (Is that how they call it?) and mount that on my X2, how does the tapping work? I can't imagine the tapped hole when the spindle is spinning so fast? How to retract the tapper?

I hope you get my meaning on all this. Thanks.

Alex

[Al_The_Man]

To do rigid taping there are Canned programs that synchronize the Z to the spindle and prevent Feed o/r and spindle o/r, but you machine has to have this feature and option.
It can be done however, if you have a spindle with rpm readout and use a floating tap holder, there is also a canned cycle suitable for floating tapping with the same constraints on the spindle and Z.
Al.

[alexccmeister]

Hi Al,

Ok. So basically its not easy to do. I don't have spindle readout for my X2. Its quite a limited machine. How else can I do screw tapping if not with my X2? Can I manually tap it once the hole is drilled? Thanks.

[Vishal N]

Hi Alex,
An floating attachment solves the problem. but it has constrains on your RPM.
I am using the attachment for tapping - M16x1.5 for a depth of 12 mm.
feed of tapp = pitch of thread.
Try out & let me know ur results.
Vishal

[Mazaholic]

This may be what your looking for.
http://www.tapmatic.com/pdfs/TAPMATICGenCatManual.pdf
They have many option for different machines.
And yes you can tap it by hand with tapping fluid and a tap handle.

[alexccmeister]

Hi all,

Thanks for the response. I think since I have very limited knowledge on tapping using the tapmatic, I will just resort to the traditional manual tapping as it can also be done. Thanks again for your help.