Extensions for square drive tools

[dukefx]

Long story short: I need something to extend square drive tools like taps or bolt extractors for situations where an adjustable tap wrench or a chuck by itself isn't an option.

I've thought of simply getting square sockets and attaching them to my existing extensions and sliding handle that I can use as a T-handle but I can barely find any. On top of that I don't think they are metric. Metric sizes are: 3, 3.4, 4.9, 7, 9, 12 mm with SAE equivalents of 1/8, 9/64, 3/16, 9/32, 23/64, 31/64. I doubt I can find square sockets in sizes like these. Any ideas?

 

[mike93lx]

Are those the tap sizes or drive sizes?

 

[dukefx]

Drive sizes, the square ends that usually go into the tap wrench or chuck.

 

[mike93lx]

Something like this?
HHIP 3900-0219 Tap Wrench Extension, 10-3/4 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QVYQ4W2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[dukefx]

It could work, but the suggested Irwin tap socket set below is more to my liking. It's 3/8 drive tho, but it's a start. Irwin is available in Europe, so I'm gonna do some digging, see if I can find something bigger.

 

[ecotec]

You can use regular extensions with Lisle tap sockets.

 

[GreenIron]

For taps, I use these.
Lisle 70500 tap socket set.

 

[ecotec]

If you work with a small socket set at work (I only have 3/8” for work, you will need to put a 3/8” to 1/4” and a 3/8” to 1/2” adapter in the socket set.

While this is not true with the Irwin style… the Irwin style is much wider in the small tap sizes. The tap socket for this 10-32 is only 1/2” wide… the Irwin is much wider.

 

[3baygarage]

The company Walton makes actual long tap extensions.

 

[Tools4Me]

If you are in europe OP, it looks like Laser makes a tap socket set (set #7901). It appears the sockets have magnetic hold instead of rubber o-ring friction fit like the Lisle set. I don't have any experience with it (I have use a Lisle set) but it has 6 sockets in the set that are 1/4" drive (instead of 4 like the Lisle) so the Laser sockets might be more available in Europe and able to get you into tight areas a little better than the Lisle set.

You also might want to look into long reach or extended taps. The taps themselves are made longer. They can be hard to source, but it might help to buy one or two of the sizes that you need regularly to help with your clearance issues.

A few companies also make extended length or extra long tap handles.

Lastly, some hand tapping fixtures are made using hexagonal shaped inserts. Those inserts are sometimes available for purchase individually. They hold the tap in place with a setscrew and can be turned with a regular 6pt hex socket and a socket extension.

 

[tamaraw]

Koken has a few tap socket options:

 

[dukefx]

Thank you everyone for the suggestions. While I did some digging I found most of what you suggested. I've also considered both Ko-Ken options (3 chucks or the socket set) but it's pricey and not really available from European retailers. GSR has extensions in various sizes but only a few cm for each at about ~10 € each. Pricey in large quantities and not very versatile. The Irwin I found looks a bit low quality on further inspection. King Tony has 3 chucks and 2 would cover what I need but it's still a chuck and I might run into clearance issues. Another point for the sockets (tap sockets - since I know now what they are called) is that it's better for extractors that need a bit of hammering beforehand. I can just put the socket on instead of having to hammer the chuck or extension.

This is what I decided on.