Threading A Glue Block With The Beall Lathe Spindle Tap

[@prsearls]

Yesterday, I made three glue blocks from a piece of hard maple using a 1-1/4 inch Beall Tap. Using this procedure worked very well. I was surprised how much torque is needed to thread hard maple. I used a large crescent wrench. I couldn't run the tap all the way thru my pieces on the chuck so I held each (a 3" x 3" square) with a parallel jaws clamp to finish the threading. I sanded the inside threads slightly. I may add a coat of wax or shellac to the threads. They are likely stronger than any force I'll apply while turning, even a catch. Threaded glue blocks open the door to many creative and useful ideas for turners.

[@GordonRock1]

I enjoy making them, Paul. I cannot remember if I mentioned it in the video but adding a bit of thin CA glue to the threads helps to toughen them up quite a bit. Thanks for watching, Paul! Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I sure hope 2021 is better than 2020! Happy turning, .....Gord

[@peterfabricius662]

Nicely done video, Gord. I have been using these for years and they work great. A couple of hints for you: 1. Use a 1.5" thick block 2. Turn a small 1/8" tenon on the back of the glue block while you still have it in the chuck. 3. Thread the blank and then turn a small recess 1/8" deep into the threads for clearance of the spindle shoulder. 4. The tenon is good at 1.5" dia to seat on the shoulder of the spindle. 5. Apply a sealer, or Tung oil to the blank after rounding the part sticking out of the chuck. 6. Remove from the chuck and thread onto the spindle. 7. Face off and turn the remainder of the blank round, apply the sealer or finish. 8. Sand the face flat and ready for use. 9. The thin CA on the threads is a really good idea 10. Make a handle for the tap, set a 3/8" thick aluminum piece in between two wood pieces and turn in spindle orientation, you will have drilled and shaped a square hole for the tap, with a small set screw, 4mm same as the Alan key for chuck screws. Hope this is helpful. Peter F.

[@GordonRock1]

Peter Fabricius Glad you enjoyed the video, Peter. Thanks for watching & commenting. Thank you for the tips you gave. I'm not sure I fully understand #10 but maybe after letting it roll around in my tiny brain for awhile I will get what you mean. Thanks again.

[@MikeWaldt]

Very informative and well demonstrated Gordon. Thank you. Take care Mike

[@GordonRock1]

Mike Waldt Thanks Mike. I appreciate that......Gord

[@mpart_woodlathe-stuff]

Even these "Oldies" are helpful Gord. (I recently bought one - 2021-01-30). Stay safe. -Mike😷💉

[@GordonRock1]

I really enjoy threading glue blocks. There’s something very relaxing about it but maybe that’s just me. I hope you enjoy it too, Mike. Thanks for watching the video. I hope it helps! Happy turning, .....Gord

[@mpart_woodlathe-stuff]

@@GordonRock1 Yep, I find hot glue pretty trustworthy and now with the Beall tap much easier to mount up.

[@alansimpson596]

Interesting video. The tap seems to be of very high quality. I haven't used a glue block yet in my turning so it's something I'll have to try. Many thanks, Alan.

[@GordonRock1]

Alan Simpson Hi Alan! Glad you found it interesting! Thanks for watching.

[@waynebreshears2008]

The spindle taps are very good. I have been using mine for over a year. I find them most useful for semipermanent fixtures such as sanding discs and longworth chucks that would normally require me to dedicate an expensive faceplate. I would recommend stabilizing the the wooden threads with thin CA and run the tap through them again. It helps with wear for fixtures that get mounted often.

[@GordonRock1]

Wayne Breshears Hi Wayne. Thanks for the tip re: CA to stabilize the threads. I hadn't thought of that. Thanks for watching!!

[@DanielVilarino]

Hi Gordon! Great video, thanks for sharing! Cheers! Daniel

[@GordonRock1]

Daniel Vilarino Thank you, Daniel. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for watching & commenting; I appreciate the support. Take care, .....Gord

[@mgorrow]

Gordon. nice video. Thanks for sharing.

[@GordonRock1]

Marshall Gorrow Glad you liked it, Marshall. Thanks for watching & commenting.

[@roofermarc1]

Good idea and I'll be looking to get one. Thanks.

[@GordonRock1]

Marc Lewis My pleasure, Marc. Thanks for watching and commenting!!

[@WhackerJoe]

Good idea Gordon. I've been buying nuts large enough to fit the headstock and embedding them into a hole in the glue block. It works, but the glue (epoxy) still fails once in a while.

[@GordonRock1]

Joe Ritz Hi Joe. Yes, I've got a bunch of those nuts as well. I've had a lot more bad luck with them than good luck.

[@xyzzy54321]

Hi Gord. I've used the Beall tap many times. It's great. But there is a simpler way ;-) I found a source online for 1-1/4 x 8 nuts. Bought a dozen. I can't remember the exact diameter of the hole you need to fit one of the nuts into a block, but it's about 1-1/2". Add a bit of epoxy, and, bingo, threaded glue block!

[@GordonRock1]

+Daniel E Moerman Hi Daniel, I've done the same thing. Actually, I think I still have a couple of them around here some place. I got the Beall tap and prefer doing it that way. Using the nuts and epoxy works great but I don't like the fact that I have to wait for so long - I think it was about 24 hours - for the epoxy to cure. With the tap I can make a block in just a few minutes and I enjoy the process. Whatever method someone wants to use is fine with me; that's just the one I prefer. Thanks for watching and for the input, Daniel. Hope you have a great day in the "shop". Take care, .....Gord

[@johnconklin9039]

Very good info Gordon, thanks. Do you ever have to back the tap a partial turn to break the chip like you do with metal?

[@GordonRock1]

John Conklin Hi John. I usually do back the tap out a bit as I'm threading. Whether I HAVE TO I really couldn't say. I think I just do it because I got the habit tapping metal. Thanks for watching & commenting!!!

[@dtork47]

I been wanting to try that after I found the Beall tap online. Wonder if wax on the tap would make it thread on easier? Thanks as always and stay safe....

[@GordonRock1]

I don’t know about the wax but I’m sure it couldn’t hurt. I hope you have fun making threaded glue blocks. I really like doing it. Thanks for watching!

[@peterfabricius662]

Gordon, I took some pictures today to show you the three handles I use for the taps I use with the Lathe. If you give me your email address I will attach the pictures for you. My taps are the 1.25" x 8tpi Beall for the lathe spindle, a 1" x 8tpi machinist tap for the smaller mini lathe spindles (I do not have a Mini lathe), then there is a 3/4" x 10tpi tap for making Soft Noses to use on the tailstock live centre. The handles have a Aluminum insert glued inside to hold the square end of the taps. I set the inserts into two half handle blanks and turned each handle in spindle orientation to look like an old fashioned boring bit handle. The pictures will make it much more clear. Peter F.

[@GordonRock1]

Peter Fabricius Thanks Peter. You can email me at gordrocks123 (AT) gmail.com I really appreciate you going to this work for me. Thank you so much!!!