Irwin/Hanson Tap Wrenches

[Jmellc]

Boss has gotten me 2 different Irwin/Hanson tap and tap & die sets. Both have a wrench that only works for the 1/4-20 tap. Will not clamp down on smaller taps.

I’ve always liked Irwin drill bits but I am getting aggravated by their messiness with these sets.

Is there a better tap wrench out there? I need one that works on taps down to 6-32. Hopefully, I don’t have to ask for multiple wrenches.

 

[shawhite]

Starrett. I’m pretty sure the Irwin handles are made in China even though the set is marked made in USA. I had a tap handle break recently. Called Irwin to get a replacement which they gladly sent me no questions asked. When the new handle showed up it looked identical to the one I broke but the packaging said made in China stamped on it.

 

[Jmellc]

Starrett. I’m pretty sure the Irwin handles are made in China even though the set is marked made in USA. I had a tap handle break recently. Called Irwin to get a replacement which they gladly sent me no questions asked. When the new handle showed up it looked identical to the one I broke but the packaging said made in China stamped on it.

I’ll look up a source for Starrett. Haven’t seen much of their stuff on shelves here but I know they are good quality.

Years back, I had a Klein 6 in 1, from 6-32 to 1/4-20. It was good but only worked when object had clearance on both sides. Wouldn’t be much good for stuff I do now.

 

[shawhite]

Are you using the t handle or straight handle? The lisle tap sockets are pretty nice as well

 

[Jmellc]

Are you using the t handle or straight handle? The lisle tap sockets are pretty nice as well

T handle. I will look up the lisle as well.

This has been a long story. I first asked the boss for a Greenlee set with the combo drill/tap bits. They are great. I’ve used them for years. Either he couldn’t find them or thought he was upgrading me with the first tap/die set. It didn’t come with bits so I had to keep asking for the right bits several times. Then he got me another Irwin set of taps & bits. So I’m a little ahead but still don’t have a wrench good for other than 1/4-20. I’ve made do with using vise grips or side cutters. Fortunately I don’t tap all day every day. But I do need usable stuff. Boss is spread thin & has a lot on his mind so I bear with him. ��

 

[sk farmer]

get some lisle tap sockets. like mentioned above.

 

[M635_Guy]

To glom onto this thread, I'd be interested to know what a good choice would be to work with my Kastar 971 kit...

 

[shawhite]

To glom onto this thread, I'd be interested to know what a good choice would be to work with my Kastar 971 kit...

The appropriate size wrench or socket and ratchet.

 

[d.mcfarland]

The Irwin/Hanson t handle is awful. The taps are great for the price, but they clearly tried to save money with the handle.

A great upgrade is getting an assortment of handles that are much higher quality.

 

[Jmellc]

The Irwin/Hanson t handle is awful. The taps are great for the price, but they clearly tried to save money with the handle.

A great upgrade is getting an assortment of handles that are much higher quality.

It shouldn’t be too hard to make a t handle that would cover the small range of 6-32 to 1/4-20. Or simply make all the taps with a 1/4 shank. The package is a poor storage case too. They could at least use a heavy vinyl pouch with sections.

 

[Indexmill]

The answer is basically the same as for most "What should I buy" questions: Search EPay for vintage, Made in the USA, Starrett or Greenfield Tap and Die (GTD) tap handles in both the Tee and Straight configurations. They do not wear out over the years so they will work great. There are also dozens of other vintage, USA brands that are just about as good. Ya just gotta search and be patient. Don't buy current, Made in China **** just because it is fast and easy.

 

[HenryAZ]

I have an old Stanely/Yankee 251a ratcheting tap wrench, no longer made. It holds taps from 4-40 up to 5/16". There are some on eBay that look to be in decent shape, and range around $25 or so.

 

[jayemm]

I have the following kit I bought years ago. Came with yellow plastic case and made in USA. The included tap wrench worked ok for my needs. Not sure if still USA made.
https://www.zoro.com/irwin-hanson-lock-hardware-drill-tap-set-13-pc-80185/i/G4575751/

 

[Steve_P]

The Starrett type design is the only style that actually works well. I have old non Starrett USA made and they all **** if they don't use the Starrett type jaw design- if not the jaws loosen after every twist and the tap drops out. Bottom line, "vintage USA made" is not enough if you don't want to be frustrated.

 

[Mgdoug3]

Most of my tap holders are old and made in the USA. I picked up one tool box recently and it had several General holders. I haven't heard of that brand before but I've been happy using them. They have a dimple in the middle and easy to keep centered using my lathe and live center. I'll take a closer look at them in the morning.

Edit: after doing some research, General has moved overseas and the quality has supposedly slipped.

 

[ive]

There are German ones to consider as well. Schroeder, Walter, probably other well made ones.

Buyer be ware when it comes to knowing where the wrench is made.

 

[LeeG]

I have a full set of Starrett tap handles that I have been using for years. Nothing better.

That being said, I recently picked up this ratcheting tap handle from HF, and it seems just fine.

 

[Jmellc]

Now I am embarrassed. I found out on another forum that the smaller taps fit further into the chuck. Live & learn.

 

[Jmellc]

I have the following kit I bought years ago. Came with yellow plastic case and made in USA. The included tap wrench worked ok for my needs. Not sure if still USA made.
https://www.zoro.com/irwin-hanson-lock-hardware-drill-tap-set-13-pc-80185/i/G4575751/

Yes, that’s the 2nd set my boss got me. I just found out the smaller taps fit further into the chuck so it’s not a bad set. Does need a better carry case. The package is a bit flimsy.

 

[whateg01]

I have a couple of T-handles. The smaller one came from Ebay and is an old one, maybe Starrett. The bigger one that will handle 1/4" taps was from Enco, I believe. The little one is three pieces, the clamping nut, the main body, and the tommy bar. It clamps the tap by flexing the fingers on the body to tighten on it. It works great. The other one has a spring loaded pair of blocks in it that get pushed up into a taper and it lets go of the tap as you use it.

My cheaper tap handles are like that, too, in that they loosen no matter what. I have a large one that could be homemade, but if it was, they did a nice job. It works great. And I have a Starrett, which also works great. I have read that the newer Starretts work, but need to be cleaned out of all the grit inside of them. I don't know if they are still made in Mass or not, but they don't seem to take the care in making them that they used to. For work, if the boss is buying, I'd still go that route, but for my own use, I'd search Ebay for old used Starrett or Greenlee or similar.