Saw an idea to use delrin as a softtouch and got to thinking that HDPE would be even better. Found some round stock on ebay 1.5 inch X 10 for about $13. Finally got around to making it . I had previously made a thread cutter from a 3/4 bolt by filing the threads similar to the way a thread cutting screw looks. I mounted a piece of the blank about 1.5 inches long in a chuck and drilled it with a 5/8 forstner and then used a spindle gouge to enlarge slightly. Then threaded the hole by placing the screw in place and bring up tailstock to hold straight. Best practice is to back the bolt out after a turn or two and clear the cutter. To make the size mating surface or point just thread the softtouch onto the live center and bring tailstock up against a piece of wood in chuck and then turn the point you need .

    In use I use this threaded onto live center to hold a top on a box while finishing it on a box. This will leave no marks.

Edited July 24, 20187 yr by Gerald

Here are the pics to explain better

 

Looks like that worked nicely.  Saves buying an expensive tap.

Thank Gerald!