Adjustable Tap Sockets

[Thunderbisciut]

So I saw these on Snap On's site:

Of course seeing the following left a bad taste in my mouth:
Stock # ATSSET
Name Set, Socket, Tap, Adjustable, 2 pcs.
Price** $44.95
Brand Snap-on
Country Of Origin China

So I did some searching and found these at less than 1/2 the cost:

So my questions are these, anyone have them? Anyone know of a better alternative?

 

[Engineer61]

Whats the COO of the Irwin sockets? Wouldn't call it a better alternative because they don't hold onto the taps, but a set of small 8 point sockets will turn taps without any problems.

 

[neophyte]

Apex makes tap holders but there not exactly the same, you use them with an impact socket and they're specifical sized for different tap shanks. http://apexbits.com/sj-935-5-16-apex-taping-holding-socket-male-hex-drive-sae.aspx

 

[Buckgnarly]

Get the lisle set, I have them and they are great. US made too IIRC.

 

[tube_guy]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SRFOE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Thunderbisciut]

Whats the COO of the Irwin sockets? Wouldn't call it a better alternative because they don't hold onto the taps, but a set of small 8 point sockets will turn taps without any problems.

The Snap Ons look to be rebadged Irwins, so that answers that question. 8 point sockets are out. Tap sockets like the Lisles mentioned have a rubber seal to keep the tap from falling out.

I have some stuff from Apex, some Torx Plus bits, hex to square adapters, and my bit holder sockets. Unfortunately some of their stuff is priced way out there. Non magnetic bit holder socket is about $6, magnetic version is $30

I'm more looking for something like I posted, just maybe not made in China. If even Snap On has to source them from China though, I guess I'm **** out of luck. I would get the Lisle's, but I'd rather only have to add 2 items to the collections rather than 8.

 

[sdguy55]

Apex makes tap holders but there not exactly the same, you use them with an impact socket and they're specifical sized for different tap shanks. http://apexbits.com/sj-935-5-16-apex-taping-holding-socket-male-hex-drive-sae.aspx

Why would you ever want to use a tap with an impact?

 

[Skin]

Whats the COO of the Irwin sockets? Wouldn't call it a better alternative because they don't hold onto the taps, but a set of small 8 point sockets will turn taps without any problems.

Irwin is the manufacturer of the Snap-On set, both are China. They work but they're a bit cheap, the ring does loosen if you're really torquing it too. The sockets work better, they just dont fit all sizes and manufacturers of taps. If you use them often enough its worth having a few types.

 

[dirtydogintex]

Get the lisle set, I have them and they are great. US made too IIRC.

+1.0 or is it +2.0?

At any rate they do work well.... and are difficult to screw up!!

 

[bob15]

I agree, go with the Lisle set. i both two sets (one for home and one for work) about 15 years ago off my Snap On man. Well worth the money!!!

 

[Quiksilver]

I have both the Lisle set and the Irwin set that you have posted. I always reach for the Lisle set before the Irwin. As mentioned above, the Irwin set loosens up. You won't be disappointed with the Lisle set.

 

[Jaralaccs]

Since when do the tool trucks brands put their names on chinese ****
who knew, mine are matco, 100% the same thing, probably paid 2x that.
They work ok though, no complaints other than the ring coming loose at times, like someone else mentioned

 

[sk farmer]

I have both the Lisle set and the Irwin set that you have posted. I always reach for the Lisle set before the Irwin. As mentioned above, the Irwin set loosens up. You won't be disappointed with the Lisle set.

^^^^^^this. do not waste your time on the irwin or snap-on. the irwin version will work but they have a little tiny spring in side that breaks, mine did. as said they also will work loose. when you tap, you work back and forth and you need to keep adjusting. slide the tap in the correct lisle and get to work.

if you are dead set on having the irwins, make an offer on the pos ones i have. only been used a few times.

 

[neophyte]

Why would you ever want to use a tap with an impact?

That's just what it says in the Apex catalog.

 

[06 DIESEL]

I have the Lisle set and they are worth their weight in gold if you tap things fairly often or in tight spots. Dad showed them to me last spring and I went out and bought a set that night. I probably only use a tap five or six times a year, but we are currently rebuilding a motor and we are chasing all of the bolt holes before installing the bolts, and the holders sure are getting a workout.

 

[cyato]

+1 on the Lisle Tap Sockets...

 

[metaldad]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SRFOE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

something else i now gotta get.

 

[jjjrmx5]

Since when do the tool trucks brands put their names on chinese ****
who knew, mine are matco, 100% the same thing, probably paid 2x that.
They work ok though, no complaints other than the ring coming loose at times, like someone else mentioned

It's been common for Snap-On for quite some time, but they list under teh Blue Point Brand, NOT teh Snap-On brand. Hmmm.

I use the Schroeder German made ratcheting tap handles in both small and large sizes (Blue Point Branded) as well as the Lisle tap socket set.

Ratcheting tap handles for fast but finesse work. Tap sockets for quick and fast rethreads if not using a thread chaser. Tap is held in with a tight rubber o-ring on the Lisles and they work like a charm.

I've not laid my hands on the tap chucks above but if you really want them, I'd go Irwin and save the cash and try them out. Irwin price means you can chuck (pardon the pun) them in the bottom drawer for "special super pissed off at a weld nut use" if you don;t like them.

 

[marlinspike]

Since when do the tool trucks brands put their names on chinese ****

The tool trucks sell a lot of junk that they make up for with convenience. A friend of mine who has loads of Snap On tools in his shop tried German tools (a Gedore ratchet set) at my behest was immediately fully convinced of the benefits, and I don't think intends to buy any more Snap On exceed for need-it-now purposes.

 

[theknurl]

what you want is a Jacobs Tap Chuck;
http://www.newmantools.com/jacobs/tapchuck.htm

my #441-9J covers #10 to 1/2" shank diameter taps
its 1/2" drive, it uses Jacobs Rubber-Flex collets to precisely center the tap and a floating clamp to keep the tap from turning

i have a power tapping head with a smaller chuck and it will do 1/2" threads

just looked on ebay they are there as low as $10

screw the Chinese junk...... and SnapOn and Irwin too

 

[Nursepeter1973]

Thanks for the help selecting some tap chucks.. I've just ordered a set of Lisle LI70500 from Amazon. Makes sense to get a chuck that's set to the correct size rather than an adjustable that can come loose... can't see myself tapping something bigger than 1/2".. if I do then there is the #9,10,11 set 70940

(Yeah I realised I'm reviving an old thread)

 

[Olafur]

Like stated above the Lisle set is good, however some taps I have don't fit the sockets. Yes you can turn them but neither the square drive or the shank o-ring fit them.

I have been eye balling the Irvin solution mentioned above but judging by this thread it's hardly worth bothering.

So I guess the next stop will be the Koken version.

Hopefully made in house by Koken and not in China.

Then there is this set but it's pricey and I guess it's similar story as the Lisle set. Fit some - not all.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/KOKEN-3261-...186166?hash=item3a8f69e9b6:g:GgMAAMXQlbVSE5ga

 

[brownsmustang]

I have both the Irwin and the lisle set. The Irwin works ok, the lisle set is way way better.

Scott

 

[brownsmustang]

Why would you ever want to use a tap with an impact?

Because IME, it's faster with less tap breakage and cleaner threads. Lube up the threads and get to work.


Scott

 

[RedneckWelder]

The Lisle set is the bomb. Only thing I can say is I wish they made them in larger sizes too.

 

[txvwnut]

My Gearwrench tap and die set has those, they only work with the GW T-handle driver or a cross bar. I also have a set of tap sockets too that get used where I can't get the conventional tap drivers into.

 

[Jason280]

How does the Lisle set work, do you simply use them with a 1/4 or 3/8" extension and ratchet?

 

[Nursepeter1973]

Jason,

That is my expectation. The Lisle set works with a 3/8 ratchet (&/or whatever extension you want). There have been a few times recently that this would have help immensely

 

[sk farmer]

How does the Lisle set work, do you simply use them with a 1/4 or 3/8" extension and ratchet?

correct. my previous statements made in this topic still hold true. buy the lisle and be done.

 

[Jason280]

Great, ordering a set now...

 

[MDK22]

I Have these:
Irwin - Performance Threading System Drive Tools. In most cases if you have a tap or die out its because you screwed up already. That does not mean you want to rush cause a broken tap only comes out even slower. Taps and dies are meant to be used by hand and with cutting oil.

I have used ratchets on those tap holders. I have broken taps in half but, never had one of them loosen up.

 

[RedneckWelder]

How does the Lisle set work, do you simply use them with a 1/4 or 3/8" extension and ratchet?

Yep. Lisle sockets are just like normal sockets on the ratchet end and they just have a square drive and an internal oring for tap retention on the other end. Work very well.

 

[Nursepeter1973]

Redneck.. Lisle make a larger set 70940... think it goes up to 3/4"

(I'm not feeling bad about reviving a 2 year old thread now )

 

[RedneckWelder]

Redneck.. Lisle make a larger set 70940... think it goes up to 3/4"

(I'm not feeling bad about reviving a 2 year old thread now )

Yes I have that 3 pc expansion set and the normal tap socket set. I want bigger.

 

[dalehsc]

Been very satisfied with this set from gearwrench, I have the passthru ratchet set. You can use the extensions and ratchet to reach out further for restricted areas where you can't turn the "t" handle

 

[Dave455]

For many years, Snap On only put 'Snap On' on the tools they made themselves! Everything else was 'Blue point' so you knew where you were, and much of the U.S. made Blue Point was decent stuff!

That seems to have been abandoned now, which in my opinion is about as foolish a decision as you can make, which can only serve to discredit the brand!

Sadly, this stuff is also incredibly overpriced. I don't believe that the Snap On made tools are anywhere near as badly overpriced, but many others will reach that conclusion!

Ultimately, only buy Snap On from Snap On!

If you want a set of tap sockets (and I would, they are seriously useful) I would recommend the KoKen also! Superbly made (yes, in Japan) and work perfectly!

 

[kblee27]

We have the tap socket and I got a set of Lisle which I've used and it worked pretty well.

But is there such thing as a "die socket" ?

 

[ericg]

We have the tap socket and I got a set of Lisle which I've used and it worked pretty well.

But is there such thing as a "die socket" ?

Lisle made a die socket but I believe it is discontinued.
http://autoplicity.com/2362237-lisle-die-socket-1-hex-12-pt

 

[Dennis Leigh Henry]

I have the Lisle set as well.. But often turn to a t handled or offset tap wrench first. Of course the space for those isn't always available..

If I could find a Made in USA one like the SO or Irwin, I'd probably add it to my stuff...

 

[kblee27]

Lisle made a die socket but I believe it is discontinued.
http://autoplicity.com/2362237-lisle-die-socket-1-hex-12-pt

Thank you.