Beall spindle tap question

[Alex Ku]

Guys,

how useful is the Beall spindle tap? Do you use it to make wooden face plates to glue on a bowl blank?
What tool(drill bit ?) do you use to make a hole for it?

Thanks,
Alex

 

[Frank Townend]

Yes, and Yes.

I have made glue blocks with it and also made a wine bottle stopper jig.

For the wine bottle jig I drilled and tapped a piece of Delrin, drilled through the other end and epoxied an exposed bolt. Screw it on the lathe, screw on the blank, create the stopper. I sized the distal end to the size of the stopper.

 

[Alex Ku]

Frank,

what do you use to drill a tap hole? 1" drill bits are really expensive.
What size tap hole to you drill? I assume it must be undersized.

Thanks,
Alex

 

[dmann]

I picked up one a couple of weeks ago and don't know how I got along without it. It paid for itself with the first 2 chucks I created, a vacuum chuck and a jam chuck.

You need a Forstner bit that is 1/8" smaller than your lathe spindle to create a pilot hole for the tap. Looks for deals on sets a the standard tool sources.

There is a comprehensive review here:
http://www.newwoodworker.com/reviews/beallspindletaps.html

 

[Frank Townend]

Thanks dmann!

Yes, a 7/8" drill for the 1" tap.

I don't remember if I used a Forester Bit or a metal 7/8" drill bit. I know I have a Forester bit that size but I also have the 8 Piece Silver and Deming Drill Bit Set from Harbor Freight.

I think the tap is an excellent addition to your tool set, you may find it handy for all sorts of jigs.

If you have some nice dry wood you can make several glue blocks ahead of time. (Like Here)