Drill Chuck Tap Handle

[Cross Slide]

I saw a video on YouTube and decided I needed to make a Drill Chuck Tap Handle. I don’t have a spring loaded tap follower yet, and needed a way to start threads straight on my Mill. It took me an afternoon to complete the project. I learned a few more techniques while working on it. This was the first time I used boring bars. After learning my boring bars sucked straight out of the package, so I did some grinding they cut not to bad. Probably not the best surface finish on the bore. But I’m happy with how it turned out. 

   
The main body turned down and bored out to fit drill chuck.

   
One of the handles that threads directly into the side of the body in a blind hole.

   
The second handle that engages the Chuck as well as threading into the other side of the body.

   
I attempted to round off the end of the handles.

   
The handles threaded into the body showing the pin the engages the chuck.

   
The pin engages the chuck in the hole for the chuck key.

   
The handle assembled and on the chuck.

This was a fairly simple project that taught me a lot. It’s going to be extremely handy. I can’t wait to have a project that I can use it on. 

I want to find a way of protecting it somehow from rusting since my shop gets humid in the spring while the snow is melting. 
Possibly do some bluing. 
Is Bluing hard to do?

Trevor