Introduction: How to Make a Metal Lathe Tap and Die Jig

About: Just a normal guy trying to make it in life .Good paying job but mindless sometimes .I enjoy making things in my garage to keep my mind going .. Its fun making something new but its more fun taking something…

  This is the first project i have made on my new lathe . It is a easy way to Use a die to make threads or chase them to clean them up.

Step 1: My New Lathe and Mill

 The first picture is my new precision matthews  12 x 36  metal lathe and the 2nd picture is my new precision matthews  pm30mv mil

Step 2: Tap and Die Plans

Here are the detailed plans for the project.

Step 3: Turning the Main Body of the Die Jig

 Picture #1  shows the turning of the main body of the die jig to  1''
 Picture # 2  shows drilling the body all the way thru with a 1/2 inch drill .I then bored the end to 13/16 x3/8 deep for the die to be inserted.

Step 4: Knurling

 The first and second picture show the knurling process. It took a few times to get it right .

Step 5: Finished Main Body

1st picture shows the finished body and the metal stock i used  .
 2nd , 3rd and 4th picture shows the finished die assembly.

Step 6: Support Arms With Knobs Plan

Step 7: 3 Handles and Knobs

pic #1 shows the 3 support arms
  #2 Shows the knobs being polished
 #3 and #4 show the finished die jig

video #1 shows the die jig in use chasing threads on the lathe

video #2 shows a ball turner i made making the knobs for the die jig

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