[John Smith_inFL]

Thanks for asking, Tony. I've ordered the commerrcial made one from Germany and it should be here in a week or so. I saved $70.00 on shipping by comparing UPS to DHL and DHL was the cheapest with 4-6 days delivery. (we'll have to see on that).
I was doing a project just this morning and struggled with the awkward clamping arrangement that I had to use. One of my first projects will be a portable Moxon vise that clamps to any bench with all wood hardware (no metal). Once I get familiar with the tool, I'll look into making some projects "for profit" to help pay for this thing.

 

[holtzdreher]

And that assumes that he knows the difference between a wood tap and die and metal tap and die. I once bought a barrel for an antique gun for a reasonable price and then found out the barrel maker in Montana did not understand the difference between American SAE fine threads and English fine Threads, (both 1 x 14) The American threads have a different depth and angles of peaks and the barrel was unusable because of the thread difference.

 

[DrRobert]

Thanks for asking, Tony. I've ordered the commerrcial made one from Germany and it should be here in a week or so. I saved $70.00 on shipping by comparing UPS to DHL and DHL was the cheapest with 4-6 days delivery. (we'll have to see on that).
I was doing a project just this morning and struggled with the awkward clamping arrangement that I had to use. One of my first projects will be a portable Moxon vise that clamps to any bench with all wood hardware (no metal). Once I get familiar with the tool, I'll look into making some projects "for profit" to help pay for this thing.
View attachment 444867

So John, how come no metal? Even wood clamps have metal screws

I've seen people make the holes in the chop a little oblong sideways to increase angular clamping ability. I guess wood screws move faster than Acme threads.

So I gotta ask, any idea what you'd be charging per foot?

 

[John Smith_inFL]

Robert - homemade (shopmade) Moxons are a dime a dozen with metal fixtures. It's just a matter of choice. Personally, I prefer all wood, Just like my grandfather's bench (which disappeared over the years. I've put in hours and hours looking at "all wood" Moxon vises and there are thousands with the metal screws and handles. Even the jack screw for leveling scaffolding is an excellent choice. (low thread count). I just like wood.
After I get the tool and learn how much it can do, then, I'll get an understanding on how to price threaded rod with a matching nut. I got a list of 1-3/4" hardwood dowels in my B.Forest shopping cart for the first batch. (cherry, walnut, etc).
(I'll be in touch).

 

[John Smith_inFL]

The wrench to turn the "tap" takes a 16mm square hole (not included with the set). So, this morning, I got an old piece of 1/4" aluminum plate and made a spanner style wrench. (after some grinding, sanding and polishing, it looks rather snazzy). When the tools get here, I'll turn a pair of matching handles for the spanner wrench then make a nice wooden box for storage. (at this price, I'll take better care of it than just keeping it in a drawer).
I'll make a project page on it after I get it all said-n-done.

 

[SonnyAgain]

For my 4" cube nut blank, after drilling the initial hole, it took about 90 seconds to cut the threads. I didn't need a screw, but did a practice run on a 1.5' length and it took about 3 minutes to cut the threads, Check out this video.
Sonny

 

[Half Fast Eddie]

The wrench to turn the "tap" takes a 16mm square hole (not included with the set). So, this morning, I got an old piece of 1/4" aluminum plate

Is that going to be strong enough? Will the square hole get wallowed out?

 

[John Smith_inFL]

Eddie - this is my prototype - if it doesn't work, I'll get a piece of steel pipe and flatten a spot in the middle and cut a square hole to fit. (which may the case). I'm a fan of two hands work better than one - Cresent or Pipe wrench, etc.
I also have an old 12" miter saw blade I was considering. (but it takes a LOT more work in cutting it to shape).

 

[SonnyAgain]

After some thought, I have one of these adjustable blacksmith's tapping tools, old tool from my grandfather's barn. I can't locate it at the moment, but I recall cleaning it up (rusty) last year. John, maybe find a right-sized one at a (rustic?) antique shop in your area. I had no problem using a crescent wrench, but you like 2 handles

Also, I have an ash nut blank soaking in water... will see how that threads, probably Friday - 3 days soaking.

Sonny

 

[_Ogre]

Endless supply of 1¾" dowel is as close as the router table. I make 1" dowel for handles all the time

⅞" round over bit $22

 

[Half Fast Eddie]

John … could you get a 16 mm socket from harbor freight or a flea market, and weld it to a 1/2” pipe?

 

[woodnthings]

Ebay has all sorts of long handled tap wrenches like this 30" one:

Straight Handle Tap Wrench, 1/2 to 1-3/4" Tap Capacity, 30" Overall Length | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Straight Handle Tap Wrench, 1/2 to 1-3/4" Tap Capacity, 30" Overall Length at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[John Smith_inFL]

I would really like to make my own tool for turning the tap.

 

[woodnthings]

I would really like to make my own tool for turning the tap.

Of course. That being the case, why not expand on your prototype a bit and make a three layer laminate from two pieces of 1/8" brass with either a steel middle layer or a wood layer in the middle? Then apply wood scales like a knife on the top surface for the handles. It could well be a "work of art" fitting the hand tool nature of the wood screws.

 

[John Smith_inFL]

Merry Christmas to meeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
Got the threader kit in this afternoon and with the first visual, this is a very well made tool (in keeping with the tradition of German tools). I'm very impressed with it. The spanner wrench I made only needed a little fine tuning and it's ready for handles tomorrow. The handles on the die are plain 1x6" birch or maple. Or maybe "Larch" that is common over there.

And here is one of the recent "prototypes" for the Moxon Vise Hub. This is just HDU turned on the lathe to get the profile in my mind of what I would like to have for myself. The handle is just a simple 1" cherry or walnut dowel. I have some 1.5" dowels to turn end caps with instead of the generic "ball" ends. And, a vintage embellishment coin imbedded in the hub to make it a conversation piece. (it's just a very good "copy" available on Etsy).

I received some of the wood today but not the required dowels for the threaded screw. Hopefully, they will be here soon. Should have some examples to show by late next week.
Will make a separate project of the portable desk when I get started on that one.

 

[difalkner]

That is a great looking tap and die set, John! Can't wait to see the project unfold.

 

[John Smith_inFL]

yeah David - One can only imagine the engineering that went into the R&D of these German made tools. Actually holding it in my hands just boggles my mind at the tooling that was required to make it function as it does. I doubt that any of my local CNC machinists could even come close to it. I'm proud to have it in my box.

 

[_Ogre]

Engineering and R&D for that tap/die set was probably done in the 50s John

 

[BigJim]

Can you imagine the strength of the screw and nut if they were made out of iron wood or bodock, that stuff is harder than Superman's kneecaps. lol Beautiful set of tools John.

 

[John Smith_inFL]

Thanks Jim - good to see you are still kicking around.
The hardest wood I have in the plans is cherry and walnut (not black walnut). I really need a portable small bench with dog holes and a moxon vise - so that's my first personal project.