Tap sockets needed (Lisle vs Irwin adjustable)

[GophersGarage]

I was set on buying Lisle 8pc set but the videos are showing so much play on some sizes.

so that got me thinking to go with the adjustable set from irwin.

 

[LXCam]

I have the lisle set and never once had an issue with slop. I’d wager any slop would be with junk taps. But ya never know, seems everyone’s quality has gone downhill in the last couple years.

 

[alien]

Another happy Lisle user

 

[WhataTool]

If you buy the tap sockets, make sure you have or are getting US machining spec MCTI dimension taps like IRWIN-Ace Hansen, JIS and other overseas specs dont fit them

 

[GophersGarage]

Not planning to buying new taps. I currently have mix and match 3-4 sets from the last 20 years of collecting.

 

[bob15]

I have had the Lisle set, plus the 2 larger sockets they make for about 25 years. No complaints

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

bought Lisle, but tap is not tight inside socket. It's barely hanging inside socket.

 

[metaldad]

lisle. haven't let me down, yet
irwin? no. they put their name on junk

 

[tester19]

Another happy Lisle user. Have had them at least 15 years. No slop and they plain work. I would not use the adjustable ones because they are to big and bulky. I use tap sockets where there is little to no room and you can't use the normal tap handles. Extremely useful when I have a long narrow access point and I use my 3/8" extension bars to extend my reach.
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[LeeG]

I have both. Plan on using some pliers to remove the taps from the Irwin. No complaints with the Lisle ones yet. I use the Gator tap guides to make sure they go in square.

 

[vwpieces]

I have Hazet set of adjustable in 1/4 & 3/8 dr.
Love them.

 

[ecotec]

I use the Lisle ones with whatever brand of taps the foremen give me… tap handles are for kids. They kill my hands.

You are going to love tap sockets. Seriously… they are so worth it.

 

[ItsNemo]

Another Lisle owner...I rarely use a tap handle these days.

 

[senlow]

The Lisle tap sockets are great. I have 2 sets: one at work and the other at home. I have no use for the clunky irwin junk.

 

[loganb]

Another vote for the Lisle

 

[dnschmidt]

Well I'm going against the grain. I think the Irwin are way better than the Lisle and I have both. The Irwin are basically a short tap handle and you can tighten the tap so that they don't fall out. The Lisle do not fit as well.

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

Lisle

I don't use it very often, but fit is not tight, it will fall out very easily.

 

[Buckgnarly]

Lisle here, no slop.

 

[gatewaysysop]

Lisle fan here too. They've yet to fail me, and I like them enough that I've even gifted them to others.

 

[64C10]

+1 for the Lisle - never had an ounce of trouble with them. Also have a set of 8 point sockets that work rather well for the big taps.

 

[Mr_B]

Make one .
I used an old t-bar tap holder and old extension or socket (I had a busted extension to use), add a grinder a welder and you got an adjustable one in square drive size of your choice.
You can dress the weld and it look like a bought tool .
The tap sockets are good when need absolutute minimal bulk in tight spot but the slop issue is little annoying and needs a spring ring or springed ball in a side bore to drag on the tap square shaft or even a couple grub screws would give option lock it down proper snug .
Job for Koken or perhaps Astro produce some proper design effort ones ... hardly any companies seem want make effort do proper innovative design/manufacture solve a few basic tool issues .
Would of thought snapon or a main industrial brand tap and die maker had it nailed a decade ago but they seem happy ignore easy innovations/tool upgrades ...

 

[Dave455]

Job for Koken or perhaps Astro produce some proper design effort ones ... hardly any companies seem want make effort do proper innovative design/manufacture solve a few basic tool issues .
Would of thought snapon or a main industrial brand tap and die maker had it nailed a decade ago but they seem happy ignore easy innovations/tool upgrades ...

They already do…

KoKen tap socket with KoKen sliding T and extension!

Superb tools, use them a lot. Invaluable if you need to tap a hole in a vehicle or machine tool and a conventional tap wrench won’t fit.

 

[bwringer]

I have both. Plan on using some pliers to remove the taps from the Irwin. No complaints with the Lisle ones yet. I use the Gator tap guides to make sure they go in square.

This is the way.

As it was in the beginning, as it is and ever shall be, the proper GJ answer to "which type of tool?" is almost always "both". Or "all the above".

Everything I deal with is metric, often some very oddball threads, and the fixed size tap sockets don't always fit. So I'm back to a conventional tap wrench, or an Irwin adjustable tap socket if needed. There is inevitably some slop in the socket connection to account for.

Harbor Freight sells a ratcheting tap wrench that can also be handy in some situations.

Are the Irwin and Harbor Freight tools jewelry? No.

Are they usable and uniquely useful? Yes.

 

[Mr_B]

They already do…

KoKen tap socket with KoKen sliding T and extension!

Superb tools, use them a lot. Invaluable if you need to tap a hole in a vehicle or machine tool and a conventional tap wrench won’t fit.

Cool, not seen that one, like to see them do a set of fairly slim sockets with grub screws
their adjustable one looks more compact than irwin but my home made one is more compact diameter .

 

[Dave455]

Cool, not seen that one, like to see them do a set of fairly slim sockets with grub screws
their adjustable one looks more compact than irwin but my home made one is more compact diameter .

They offer two sizes of those, that is the larger.

They also offer simpler “tap holders”, but they are specific to set sizes of tap (and presumably a particular standard) and only available in metric.

 

[zmotorsports]

I can't speak to the Irwin's quality, but I've had my Lisle set for probably 20-years now and have had zero issues with fitment.

 

[GophersGarage]

I think what has happening is that you guys who have them and love the lisle are the older version vs the new version I don't think is all that good like the past version. I read in the comments on some of the videos guys stating this.

I could be wrong but having the lisle that are not a tight fight will just put wear onto the taps.

 

[CallumRD1]

I have ~1 year old Lisle tap sockets that are fantastic. I use them regularly in the machine shop. They fit my taps (all modern production high quality tools) great, the taps don't fall out but don't take too much force to remove. Also, a tap will be considerably harder than the socket so a loose fit would wear the socket far more than the tap.

 

[GophersGarage]

I have ~1 year old Lisle tap sockets that are fantastic. I use them regularly in the machine shop. They fit my taps (all modern production high quality tools) great, the taps don't fall out but don't take too much force to remove. Also, a tap will be considerably harder than the socket so a loose fit would wear the socket far more than the tap.

Thats a good point. I think I will order them up and try out with my taps. If they are no go I will return. But hopefully will work out well.

 

[RedneckWelder]

Lisle has no ******** adjustments or moving parts just grab and get to work. Couple of my taps are a little loose in them but doesn’t affect them.

They now make an expanded large set that works on larger taps.

 

[JradM]

irwin? no. they put their name on junk

That's a good rule of thumb, but Irwin has some nice stuff too. I haven't tried either of these tap sockets so I cannot comment - but I have tried Irwin's Hanson line of dies and taps and they've been consistently good.

Irwin also put their name on these:

 

[Steve_P]

another Lisle user, no issues; fit like a glove. I also bought one of the Koken adjustable adapters but haven't needed to use it.; because the Lisle fit everything I have needed to use.

 

[eejack]

I recently bought the Lisle set due to a pile of recommendations here and am a fan of the set. Very glad I listened to the good advice.

 

[oldmachinenut]

I also have the Lisle set along with standard and ratcheting tap handles, they all have their place.
I find myself using the Lisle set often and I am very happy with them.

 

[wrenchr]

Lisle as well.

 

[notsowooly77]

Old thread I know but…Am I the only one who can’t get 1/4” Irwin taps to fit in the lisle #4? I had to buy a Matco #4 to use with my 1/4” Irwin taps.

 

[mikegt4]

I use 8 point sockets for driving taps with a ratchet. Nobody wants them so they are often available for free just to get them out of someone's tool box.

 

[Steve_P]

I use 8 point sockets for driving taps with a ratchet. Nobody wants them so they are often available for free just to get them out of someone's tool box.

The square drive on ANSI taps aren't typically nominal fractional sizes.

https://www.tapmatic.com/tapping_questions_standard_tap_dimensions_ansi_shanks.ydev

 

[mikegt4]

The square drive on ANSI taps aren't typically nominal fractional sizes.

https://www.tapmatic.com/tapping_questions_standard_tap_dimensions_ansi_shanks.ydev

Correct, they are not. An 8 point socket will not be a perfect machine fit but a square tap end isn't going to slip in the socket either, a lot of latitude here.

 

[sk farmer]

i have both.

the lisle work great. i would buy again.

the irwin hanson? they work but are larger, don't stay tight and have two small jaws and a tiny wire spring inside that can get lost or break. one of mine is lost. my buddies fell apart and lost all of the internal bits, i doubt i would buy again.