Best Ever Tap Handle Review and Improvement Hack Media

Published: 3 years ago

Bought this new Tap Handle and, IMO, made it even better with a Hack to add a bearing to the centering post it has built in. Makes tapping on the lathe great because it now spins and pulls the tailstock.

In the video I make a couple of mini screw jacks to test the tap before and after the hack to see the improvement. Spoiler, it is better after the hack.

Tap Handle Review - 1:07
Hack Explained - 4:53
Pre Hack Tapping - 14:20
Post Hack Tapping - 46:15
Knurling - 10:20
Making the Screw Jack Tops - 19:20
4 Jaw Chuck Set Up - 35:05
Sharpening the Groove Cutting Tool - 39:52
Cutting Snap Ring Groove - 41:30

I really think this is the best tap handle ever, I wish they made a larger size. If you are interested in purchasing here is the link to Northern Machining who sells them - http://northernmachininginc.com/?page_id=21
I shared the bearing idea with Northern Machining Inc. and they liked the idea and said they would likely add the snap ring groove to future production runs of the tap handle. Buy a bearing and a snap ring and you will be all set.

Link to the bearing used - Koyo B-55 from Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007EDWQT4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

All machining is done on my Precision Matthews PM-1440TL Lathe. Check out my channel for many other machining videos.

Thanks for watching!
sovrn