Tapping, can the machine do it?

[daysign@nts-online.net]

I know the machine can handle drilling even drilling a variable speeds, but can the shopbot reverse spindle direction to tap a hole? It would be out of plastic or soft metal (alluminium).

[Wdyasq@yahoo.com]

Ben,

ShopBots can hold a multitude of tools. I can think of half a dozen ways to adapt a tapping tool head to a ShopBot. The one I use on my mill has a # 2 Morse adapter on it and turns one way with down force and then reverses when up-pressure is applied. I don't see why it can't be adapted to a spindle and mounted to an auxiliary 'Z' on the ShopBot.

Ron Brown - wdyasq@yahoo.com (mailto:wdyasq@yahoo.com)

If Stupidity got us into this mess,
then why can't it get us out? - Will Rogers

[sheldon@dingwallguitars.com]

You can buy them with a 1/2" straight arbor. I have a Procunier on a drill press, which reverses at twice forward speed. I think that would be a drag to program.

Tapmatics are 1:1 I believe.