SPINDLE NOSE TAPS
to cut the
Myford Spindle Nose Thread

 

Would you like to have a tap to cut the spindle nose thread on your Myford lathe, for when you want to make a chuck backplate, or any other sort of spindle nose fitting?

In one of W.R. (Bill) Smith's clockmaking videos, he shows how he mounts a division plate on the chuck register of his Super 7, and anchors it there with a separate smooth circular nut that screws on the spindle nose thread. Very cool.

The spindle nose thread is the same on all Myford Series 7 lathes produced from 1946 right through to the end of 2000. If you own a Myford ML-7, Super 7, Sigma 7, ML7-R, or even a ML-10 or Diamond 10, the spindle nose thread on it will be 1-1/8 x 12 tpi right hand Whitworth.

I recently had a tap made to cut the spindle nose thread on my Super 7. I have tested it, and it does a first class job.

(click on image for larger picture)

A full form 1-1/8 x 12 tpi right hand Whitworth tap is not a stock, off-the-shelf item. As you may know (and as I found out!), having a one-off tap this size made is expensive (think in terms of Cdn$190 or so, plus postage).

However, by getting several identical taps made at one time, the price comes down somewhat.

I have arranged to have Myford spindle nose taps* made up for me as a regular item.

The taps are HSS plug** taps, ground thread, full Whitworth profile, 5-1/2" long overall, with a 0.67" sq. x 7/8" long driving square.

They are made with correct geometry for tapping cast iron. I tested mine in aluminum, and it works fine there too. I haven't tapped a cast iron backplate with it yet. However, I put it through a Myford catchplate which I may have used 5 times since new, and the tap took out the most miniscule amount of fuzz imaginable, and some dirt.

The price of these taps will be US$96 plus shipping.

Shipping within the US is $6, and the tap will be sent via a carrier called Airborne (something like UPS, but preferred by the tap maker).

If you live outside the US, your tap will be sent to you by International Express Post, and the cost for this will vary depending on your location.

ORDERING:
If you want to order one of these taps, please contact us by e-mail, and tell us what country you live in, and we will send you a form letter advising you of the correct amount of postage for your location, and telling you how to place your order. 

NOTE: This is the one item on our website
that you can order ON YOUR  CREDIT CARD!!

 

NOTE:

When you get your hands on this tap, you will probably find you don't have a tap wrench big enough to use on it. Big tap wrenches are expensive, and basement machinists will not use either the tap or the tap wrench frequently. When you want the tap, you want it, but you would probably just as soon not have to tie up another $50 to $75 in a tap wrench for it. So, what to do?

I figured out a quick and simple way to eliminate the need for a big tap wrench, and if you order a Myford* Spindle Nose Tap from me, you will get a sheet telling you what I did, and a number of other bits of useful information as well. It'll take you anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes to make this tap wrench substitute, depending on which of my suggestions you follow. Cost will be very modest, and you will find that the same bit of gear I'll tell you to make has other uses in your shop as well. If you are on e-mail, I'll e-mail this info to you. If you are not, I will mail it to you on paper.

FOOTNOTES:

* Although I have referred to this tap as a Myford Spindle Nose Tap, pleased understand this is not intended to imply that it is a Myford product, nor that it is in any sense "Myford-approved." It is not a Myford factory item. It will be made in the USA, and shipped direct to you from the maker. However, it is the correct dimensions to suit the Myford spindle nose thread. That's why I have referred to it herein as a Myford Spindle Nose Tap.

** Here's something I learned while working on this project:

a Taper Tap has a 7-10 thread lead taper;
a Plug Tap has a 3-5 thread lead taper;
a Bottoming Tap has a 1-2 thread lead taper.

Finally, if you know of anyone else who owns a Myford lathe, please let them know about this offering, and suggest that they also contact me.

Thanks, Guy

E-mail: GuyLautard@telus.net ; also, Click Here to go to my Home Page..