(1/3) Making a Tailstock Hex Die Holder for Tapping/Cutting Threads on the Mini Lathe

Excellent! Thanks so much for this video and the thorough step-by-step instruction. It's nice to see that good results can be obtained without having all the machining tools that a machinist has at their disposal.

Twas a noble sacrifice. The tool gave itself so you could cut more precise threads. It's devotion to precision shall be remembered. Seriously though. I think you have a wonderful idea.

Tip for knurling; use cutting oil, it keeps the teeth on the wheels from clogging and thus helps with registration, giving a cleaner knurl.

I did something similar by cutting a half inch drive extension off and chucking the square end up in the tailstock. Then I put the appropriate socket on the extension. Worked out so well, I ended up welding the socket to the extension. I use it pretty much every day.

It turned out great. It looks like you are dealing with the same problem I have. Too small of a Lathe makes it a lot harder to do things. But you worked with it and it turned out nice.

Seems to be the right tool for the job! I would add that the correct size socket is usually available from a pawn shop for $1 - $2. This will save the handle & provide better metal.

I use a 1" deepwell socket with a modified extension to hold my hex dies in the tail stock.

very easy to watch,not complicated like some of the others that other people make...thanks ...Ray

Nicely done. Really liking all your mini lathe vids. I noticed to get your workpiece concentric you tried resetting the workpiece in the chuck multiple times to get it to turn as good as you could. I did the same thing when I was just starting. A tip for that is to get a dial indicator (with mag base) and slightly tapping the workpiece with a soft-blow hammer where there's runout, and you'll then be able to get it pretty concentric - probably down to around 5 thou of runout for those Chinese lathes/chucks.

Excellent work done. Very interesting to see the job done.

nice job, although ............... I think I would use a SET SCREW instead of a socket head screw. Then you will have nothing to hurt your hand when using the tool for set up on threading. .... Just a thought

Like your work it’s inventive and comes out looking good. One suggestion is that for your drill press vise think about mounting it to a 3/4” plywood base approximately the size of the drill press table with some removable fasteners. This will give you a more stable vise that won’t be moved by the drill press action and you work piece will be more stable and come out cleaner. Your could also use some spring clamps to hold the plywood in place once you center your work piece. It’s a simple jig that improves the work and relieves the pressure on you trying to keep the vise steady.

I use Tapmatic (two types) for all my tapping but you can save a LOT of money for the lathe operations in aluminum by using WD-40.

Nice job. I think when I make one, I’ll just go buy a cheap socket and use that for the hex setting.

Nice job Tim! I will check out the rest of the series..

Hex dies are designed for repairing threads not cutting new ones. Round adjustable dies are for making new threads and are way more expensive than hex dies.

Awesome, and you just have given me a idea if I have a socket of a project to do coming weeks

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Nice! Can't wait to see part 2.

Very nice video! Certainly my kind of tolerances! lol