Our shop has a Parlec floating holder with a Bilz adapter, holding a roll forming 10-32 for aluminum parts. I've used this alright for a while, but now having problems with the tap pulling out of the adapter (It then stays in the hole and breaks off when the machine goes to the next hole location.)
The taps I'm using have a very slightly "ridged" surface on the square drive portion, which I am now thinking/realizing is there to help the balls inside the adapter grip the tap. When I switched to a different brand of tap I happened to have with much coarser ridges, it didn't pull out as often as the others did.
First of all, I'm wondering if I should just replace the adapter - maybe the spring pressure on the balls has weakened (Although, it seems plenty hard enough to compress the ring when installing a tap.). Does anyone have a preference/recommendation of getting a new Bilz adapter over a Parlec, or another brand?
Secondly, do any of you guys make a point of buying a particular brand of tap because it is made with deeper ridges on the square drive (So it holds better)? If so, what is it?