Homemade 1/2" x 10 tpi Acme Tap

I am in the process of restoring an Atlas HorizontalMill which is missing the x axis leadscrew and leadnut. Rather than buy a new acme tap ($50 if you are lucky), I decided to make one from the same material I used for the leadscrew (1/2" x 10tpi cold rolled acme threaded rod from Enco).

After turning down the initial chamfer length, I cut two flutes using a hand file.

Tap rake angles for different materials

Here is my first leadnut. The initial hole diameter was sized for 50% threads.

I plan on adjusting the tap for a better cut in brass, before I make the final leadnut.

Another homemade acme tap

http://www.embeddedtronics.com/acmetap.html

Tap specs

http://www.tapmatic.com/tech_manual/tap_recommendations.html

Tap sharpening

www.discount-tools.com/techcontents/020.pdf

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