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Step 3Do the 'tap' dance.
In this step, we will be drilling and tapping some holes for our spike, and eye-bolts.
Before we drill, I'd like to point out that I used my foot to brace my pipe and cap while I did the drilling. This is by no means the most efficient way to brace it, and by far is one of the least safe ways of doing it. I would recommend using a vice, clamp, or large pair of vise-grips. One could use a pipe-wrench to hold the pipe, considering it is designed to hold fast to pipes and the like. Above all, be safe. Hold your pipe with something solid, so it doesn't start spinning around and decapitate you. (Thanks NachoMahma)
First, mark a spot, as close as you can get to the center of one end cap. Then drill the hole, using the drill bit supplied with your tap. These bits are a tiny bit smaller than the size of the tap to leave excess material from which the threads are cut.
Next, mark two spots on your galvanized pipe. Each will go on opposing sides, directly beneath the threads at the top of the pipe. If that sounds completely unclear, please look at picture #3 on this page. You will make a mark exactly like this one, and it's mirror image on the opposite side. One on each end of the diameter line, if you like. Now, drill a hole through each mark, as shown in picture #4
Once we have our three holes, we can tap them.
Tapping a hole is a very simple process, however it takes a little patience, and a small amount of technique. If you have no idea how to drill and tap a hole, an excellent video on drilling and tapping can be found here:
Suffice to say, basically, you screw the tap into the hole, 2 turns and then back it out a turn. Use lots of lubrication. Here, I used vegetable oil. Any lubricant will do, but you must use some. Taps are made of very high quality steel, and are very sharp, but because of the grooves in each side, they are inherently brittle and very weak. I have drilled and tapped hundreds upon hundreds of holes, and I still break taps. Go slow and be careful. Because of the hardness of the steel, if you break a tap off in a hole, you will destroy several drill bits, and the hole you originally made, trying to remove the tap.
Before we drill, I'd like to point out that I used my foot to brace my pipe and cap while I did the drilling. This is by no means the most efficient way to brace it, and by far is one of the least safe ways of doing it. I would recommend using a vice, clamp, or large pair of vise-grips. One could use a pipe-wrench to hold the pipe, considering it is designed to hold fast to pipes and the like. Above all, be safe. Hold your pipe with something solid, so it doesn't start spinning around and decapitate you. (Thanks NachoMahma)
First, mark a spot, as close as you can get to the center of one end cap. Then drill the hole, using the drill bit supplied with your tap. These bits are a tiny bit smaller than the size of the tap to leave excess material from which the threads are cut.
Next, mark two spots on your galvanized pipe. Each will go on opposing sides, directly beneath the threads at the top of the pipe. If that sounds completely unclear, please look at picture #3 on this page. You will make a mark exactly like this one, and it's mirror image on the opposite side. One on each end of the diameter line, if you like. Now, drill a hole through each mark, as shown in picture #4
Once we have our three holes, we can tap them.
Tapping a hole is a very simple process, however it takes a little patience, and a small amount of technique. If you have no idea how to drill and tap a hole, an excellent video on drilling and tapping can be found here:
Suffice to say, basically, you screw the tap into the hole, 2 turns and then back it out a turn. Use lots of lubrication. Here, I used vegetable oil. Any lubricant will do, but you must use some. Taps are made of very high quality steel, and are very sharp, but because of the grooves in each side, they are inherently brittle and very weak. I have drilled and tapped hundreds upon hundreds of holes, and I still break taps. Go slow and be careful. Because of the hardness of the steel, if you break a tap off in a hole, you will destroy several drill bits, and the hole you originally made, trying to remove the tap.
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