Lisle Tap Socket Set 70500

[1982fxr]

Got these for $24 on Amazon. Immediate need was for some 5/16 - 18 Helicoils.

One of the big ones did accept the tap. I say accept rather than fit. I don't think it could have been any more loose and still worked. But it did, so that's good.

The Helicoil insert tool no longer comes with a diamond shaped thumbscrew type drive (old one in picture). I hoped one of the small sockets would fit the new helicoil square drive. Nope.

 

[1982fxr]

I see there is another set 70700 with three more sockets but it's like another $30. Not sure if the extra sizes would help or not.

 

[liliysdad]

I have some 8pt sockets that I use for running taps. Seems to work fine.

 

[LXCam]

Got these for $24 on Amazon. Immediate need was for some 5/16 - 18 Helicoils.

One of the big ones did accept the tap. I say accept rather than fit. I don't think it could have been any more loose and still worked. But it did, so that's good.

The Helicoil insert tool no longer comes with a diamond shaped thumbscrew type drive (old one in picture). I hoped one of the small sockets would fit the new helicoil square drive. Nope.

I've found it depends on the manufacturer of the tap. I'd say 80% of my taps fit perfect and I use most all the sizes on a semiregular basis.

 

[Ditchdigger]

I am a bit of a tapping enthusiast and have a few drawers of tap handles. I haven't used the Lisle version for a few years now. If i need to use a ratchet and I have the room I use this style


I am not sure if the standard sizes of tap shanks has changed over the years or what, but the Lisle just don't hold newer taps very securely. 99% of my taps are Widia.

Back when I was less picky and used Irwin/Hanson taps the Lisle were fine.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Do those stay tight? I looked at them, but was concerned the tap would come loose when going "backwards" to clear chips.

 

[darrowco]

My Lisle 70500 Tap Socket set came in yesterday. I used it with a 6mm tap today, worked great. Have not tried other taps yet, hopefully they will be similarly snug.

 

[Ditchdigger]

Do those stay tight? I looked at them, but was concerned the tap would come loose when going "backwards" to clear chips.

Of course they stay tight. They are a standard tap wrench head that has had the tommy bar portion replaced with a square drive. We have been using this design to hold taps for a hundred years or more. That being said, you have touched on exactly why a ratchet is a pretty bad tool for tapping, but sometimes this is the only tool that fits.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Of course they stay tight. They are a standard tap wrench head that has had the tommy bar portion replaced with a square drive.

Haha, fair point, I never thought of it that way.....

 

[pbon]

When I read this thread on the Lisle set, I noticed reviews were not outstanding on Amazon so I shopped more and bought a no name brand on Amazon for $17. No machining issues where the ratchet head fits. Just used the #5 to tap 8 holes and the tap fit tightly. Can’t say they are any better or worse but they were cheaper and seem to work fine.
https://a.co/d/0atdnnSB

 

[1982fxr]

Of course they stay tight. They are a standard tap wrench head that has had the tommy bar portion replaced with a square drive. We have been using this design to hold taps for a hundred years or more. That being said, you have touched on exactly why a ratchet is a pretty bad tool for tapping, but sometimes this is the only tool that fits.

If you re-read post #1, in that example it was not even close to tight.

Edit: misread your post. Please disregard.

 

[Madjik Man]

I also bought this from the Deals thread.

Not impressed. I haven’t used them yet but I put all my taps in them and they all seems to have a bit of play.

 

[sk farmer]

Of course they stay tight. They are a standard tap wrench head that has had the tommy bar portion replaced with a square drive. We have been using this design to hold taps for a hundred years or more. That being said, you have touched on exactly why a ratchet is a pretty bad tool for tapping, but sometimes this is the only tool that fits.

Do those stay tight? I looked at them, but was concerned the tap would come loose when going "backwards" to clear chips.

the irwins are not my best purchase. they have a wire spring inside to hold the jaws in place. the larger one broke in a couple uses. do they hold as good a s well made tap wrench? no...... do the hold as well as a ****** tap wrench? maybe..... i doubt i would purchase again but i have used them and they do work.



my lisle tap sockets are far better. i would buy them again tomorrow but would probably buy the larger set.

 

[Torque&Recoil]

When I read this thread on the Lisle set, I noticed reviews were not outstanding on Amazon so I shopped more and bought a no name brand on Amazon for $17. No machining issues where the ratchet head fits. Just used the #5 to tap 8 holes and the tap fit tightly. Can’t say they are any better or worse but they were cheaper and seem to work fine.
https://a.co/d/0atdnnSB

Are there any issues with chips getting inside the socket, attracted by the magnet?

 

[pbon]

Good point! I was tapping aluminum and yes, a lot of debris fell on the ratchet mechanism and the socket. If it was steel, it would. It would not have been as easy to remove. Probably best to not use magnetic if tapping from underneath — I was working on the underside of a car.

 

[1982fxr]

So would any of you guys just go with 8 point sockets if you had it to do over again?

 

[ecotec]

So would any of you guys just go with 8 point sockets if you had it to do over again?

I wouldn’t. The tap sockets work great for me. I hate using tap handles, especially the tiny ones. I also have 4 and 8 point sockets, but I don’t use them for tapping. The tap sockets hold the taps better.

 

[sk farmer]

So would any of you guys just go with 8 point sockets if you had it to do over again?

nope. tap sizes and square sockets don't really correspond. some of them are close enough and will work in a pinch but others don't.

 

[Steve_P]

nope. tap sizes and square sockets don't really correspond. some of them are close enough and will work in a pinch but others don't.

Exactly. This has come up a lot here. I'm sure there's some sort of standard used, but even vintage USA tap sizes are all over the place and not standard even to 1/32nd sizes. Years ago, I measured a bunch of my old USA made taps and was like, "WTF? Why are these sizes not fractional but seemingly random numbers?" It seemed like they didn't care, figuring they were going to be used in a lathe, an adjustable tap wrench....

I have the Lisle sets and they've worked for me. Yes, they don't always fit like a glove, but they work.

 

[Wrench97]

A lot depends on the taps you buy, I have taps from work and did not always have a choice of brand so the drive heads on the same size taps are different sizes, some fit the Lisle sockets some don't.

 

[liliysdad]

So would any of you guys just go with 8 point sockets if you had it to do over again?

They work fine for me