tornitore45 wrote:I am not sure a spring loaded center is strong enough. Steve is handling a stubborn tap that requires a force at his comfort limits. There is also to consider that if the wrench does not swing around it (or the chuck) has to be re-positioned by 1/4 turns.
This is what occurred to me. It would have to be an incredible spring.
I guess I should mention what I do when I tap on the drill press and mill. Much of the time, I use a Walton piloted spindle tapper, which is a sort of chuck with a T-handle built in. It has a rod that runs through it axially, and you can put the rod in a drill chuck (loosely) or, I suppose, a loose collet. It helps keep things on track. For smaller taps, I often use an ordinary cheap T-style tap wrench. They are round at the upper end, so you can put the upper part in a loose chuck, and it will keep you lined up. The Walton tool is too small for the 3/4 tap, and they don't make a bigger one.
I couldn't put the 3/4 tap in my drill chuck, because it would have covered the square end, and I would not have been able to turn it.
Just thinking about it, I believe it would be useful to have an extra-large T-style tap wrench. I could insert the round rear part in my drill chuck to hold the tap in place and use the T handles to turn the tap.
I wonder how tight my steady rest will close. It would definitely hold a big tap on center.
Every hard-fried egg began life sunny-side up.