Has anyone tried this:

http://www.micromark.com/MICROLUX-TA...TURE,8363.html

If so, is it worth the money or a gadget that will sit on the shelf? Any other devices like it out there?

I guess it would be up to you and what you are building. I would think OVER KILL. I have yet to come across anything in Plane building that I would find that useful. JMHO
Rich

A tapping fixture is good for tapping small holes in lightweight or thin material. It helps to have the tap held absolutely vertical, and to have the material being tapped securely-fixed in place. That will give you high accuracy with your threaded hole.

With a deep hole, you just fix the tapped piece in a vise, and the long hole will keep the tap properly centered. With thin matierial, though, a tapping fixture is desirable because it keeps the proper alignment.

If you have a drill press ( great tool that WILL be used) you may be able to use it for this purpose.

Rich,

I do have a drill press, but would one want to use a power tool for tapping?

Just mount the tap in the jaws and then turn by hand. The press will hold it vertical.
I also disagree with BAX about thick/deep taps. It is possible to get too much angle and have the tap sieze and then break if not careful. Taps will NOT self-correct in deep holes.

Cool tool!! I wouldn't go out and buy one but if someone wants to give me one I will say thank you and take it.

Sorry, as Bruce has already answered,......use the drill press and turn it by hand. The drill press, if you already have one, is a BETTER tool than the one pictured, IMHO. regards, Rich

Interesting thought... Hard to think you can have the same "feel" when tapping while you have to overcome the friction of the drive mechanism of the drill press when turning by hand. I'll give it a try though.

If overcoming the drive mechanism is an issue...just slip the belt off temporarily. rich

As a retired gunsmith and machinist I can say I've drilled and tapped quite a few holes. I think the most important thing is to be sure the tap is perfectly lined up with the hole. I always preferred to drill the hole then tap it without moving anything. Obviously you can do it with a drill press or milling machine. I always power tapped if it wasn't a blind hole and not having to go too far. If that was the case just turn it by hand and be sure to use tapping fluid. Based on this I think it may be OK but only if you plan on doing a lot of tapping.

My Daddy taught me to tap with a drill press decades ago.
He learned it decades before that while putting himself through college as a machinest.
I then got to teach it to a retired shop teacher.
We used hand power much to PG&E's chagrin.
Good Luck,
KW_Counter

Oh well, it looked like a really cool tool! I still think it is, but sounds like there are better ways of skinning this cat. I'll give the drill press a try next time I need to tap.

I took a piece of 1/2 inch square motor mount stock and drilled some perpendicular holes of various sizes through it with a drill press. It is very handy for lining up a hand drill or tap when a drill press won't work.