Recommendations for small tap handle

[darkzero]

Ooooh, ooooh! I just realized I have some white vinyl end caps for wire shelving.

BRB

View attachment 317545

Thanks for idea. For one of my small tap wrenches the handle is very thin in diameter & would hurt my fingers sometimes. I was planning to put some RC fuel tubing on it for more cushion (handle is fixed on this one). Your idea made me remember I have a bunch of vinyl caps. Searched my stash today & found a bag of the exact size.

Doesn't seem like much cushion but hopefully it does the trick.

 

[DavidR8]

Thanks for idea. For one of my small tap wrenches the handle is very thin in diameter & would hurt my fingers sometimes. I was planning to put some RC fuel tubing on it for more cushion (handle is fixed on this one). Your idea made me remember I have a bunch of vinyl caps. Searched my stash today & found a bag of the exact size.

Doesn't seem like much cushion but hopefully it does the trick.

View attachment 317796

I might try some heat shrink on mine.

 

[ThinWoodsman]

Or Plastic-Dip! Thousand and one uses. All of which are some variation of "coating a tool handle in rubbery plastic".

 

[kd4gij]

I like these you can drive them with a 3/6" drive ratchet or T handle

 

[WobblyHand]

Whatever you do, don't get this kind! I just opened my old cheap tap set today and discovered this:
I can't imagine it was put it away like this - it must of cracked post use. Never thought these cast housings were very strong. On the good side, it did last a decade. This style is easier for me to use than the tee. I usually start the thread using a tee and switch. I find the tee easier to start the thread straight.

Haven't had good luck with the medium Irwin tee wrench, either. Used one yesterday to tap a M6 and the tap would slip everytime the direction reversed (to clear chips). Very disconcerting. Yes, I used a pair of pliers to tighten the Irwin nut.

On the other hand, my little Starrett 93A is very good for small taps. Hasn't slipped. In the meantime, I'm getting both a 91A and 91B. That should cover taps under 1/2". Life is too short for crummy tap wrenches, right?

 

[mikey]

On the other hand, my little Starrett 93A is very good for small taps. Hasn't slipped. In the meantime, I'm getting both a 91A and 91B. That should cover taps under 1/2". Life is too short for crummy tap wrenches, right?

Yup, the Starrett 91 series has been around for a very long time because they just work. No fanfare, no real advertising, just a tool speaking for itself.

 

[WobblyHand]

Slightly off topic - I used a special chip clearing tap for aluminum. These taps work amazingly well! The through hole kind that I bought just pushed the chips, really the curly cues, out the bottom of the hole. Never had to reverse the tap. It was amazing. I tried it with and without Tap Magic Aluminum. Seemed to work the same. Easiest holes I ever tapped. M8x1.25. Tap for aluminum. Used the taps to make adapter plates for leveling casters on my rolling tool chest.

 

[GunsOfNavarone]

I realize it's a square end on tap, but could you get a small socket on it? 12point? With a small 3" (1/4") drive ratchet...good for tight space..

 

[COMachinist]

You know over the years I have collected the Starrett 91a, 91b and all three Of the 93’s and have never looked for any thing else. Oh and mine are made in the good old USA. I have a Starrett 174 also, for tapping receivers with #6,#8 scope bases.
CH

 

[kd4gij]

I realize it's a square end on tap, but could you get a small socket on it? 12point? With a small 3" (1/4") drive ratchet...good for tight space..

Some times yes, but most of the time it is to sloppy.