Miniature tap wrench

Although I have one of the Starrett 174 tap wrenches, I only use it with my piloted tap extension...

http://www.homemadetools.net/forum/tap-holders-26298

The reason I don't use it in the expected fashion is that it's just too easy to unknowingly loosen the screw and have the tap fall out onto the concrete floor. A few broken taps convinced me to make a miniature of this style...

https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/f...e/107721-1.jpg

which locks securely onto the tap.

The arms are made from 9/32" square stainless stock turned down to 1/4". I don't like knurling on tap wrench handles so they were left plain.

Marv,

I like this style of tap wrench. Keeping the handles with a smooth finish is best for small taps. I like to be able to feel the small taps as they cut and allow my fingers to gently slip off as the tap begins to bind-up and before breaking the tap.

Regards,

Paul

This pattern Marv replicates is used even in large tap wrenches. We know he regularly runs 00's and #2's, 8's are heavy manufacturing to him. I'm dang sure a pair transverse cap screws more secure than those driven by a threaded handle. As many add a lock nut, kind of seals the verdict.

Knurling isn't useful on many tools. I think a lot receive them from makers really not indoctrinated to their use, especially small scale. Inappropriate features usually indicate habits, not thoughtful design.
Others fail in plain ol' ergonomics. Like the immense handles of imported adjustable wrenches. Fine if you are Godzilla, lame interpretation of quality and original tools. They give them increased capacity, big deal, useless without increased leverage of a proportionately longer grip.
I occasionally work aloft. One day, at height I needed a second 24" wrench, signaling below for same. Here comes one of those monsters, retrieved by drop line. All that extra material was next to unmanageable overhead. Oh H*** No. The box over there, get mine, left side 4th drawer down. Immediately apparent, just hauling it up.
What more conclusive demonstration is there?
Quiz: Why are good wrench handles tapered, especially opposite of the business end?

SO you can use them as aligning tools to align the holes in 2 or more members enabling you insert a fastener.
I couldn't live without my spud wrenches
even have an adjustable with a hammer head made on it does the work of 3 tools
These are the best tools to have when working above

Attachment 18598
Attachment 18599
unless you are working on pipe then you want aluminum pipe wrenches preferably Schick by name since they are all aluminum except for the teeth even the adj nut and top jaw are aluminum
Attachment 18601

But then there are my Hammer wrenches as well for when a nut is just too stubborn to come loose or needs to be really tight
My hammer wrenches go up through 3"
Attachment 18600

Lol Frank. Spud Wrenches are certainly tapered. Lol again.
I was referring more along the line of common adjustable wrenches, especially decent sized versions. I'm on the way out for an interview, but will paste the pix upon returning.
Attachment 18611

Interview was OK; very large diework for auto market. Clean modern plant, but small machine tools; they must send a lot out.
5 stars out of 10.

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I have a tap handle much like Marv's but I made mine a long time ago mine is 9 inches overall in length and yes no knurling is the way to go on these tools

I also have one just like it and found another use for it as a carrier for small diameter between centres work.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by olderdan

I also have one just like it and found another use for it as a carrier for small diameter between centres work.

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Yup, Found Another Use.....That's what we do!

Ground rod clamps work well as dogs for turning between centers...

https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/f...he/95038-1.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mklotz

Ground rod clamps work well as dogs for turning between centers...

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...tools/DOGS.jpg

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I will have to keep that in mind having more than a few ground clamps around the shop.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mklotz

Although I have one of the Starrett 174 tap wrenches, I only use it with my piloted tap extension...

http://www.homemadetools.net/forum/tap-holders-26298

The reason I don't use it in the expected fashion is that it's just too easy to unknowingly loosen the screw and have the tap fall out onto the concrete floor. A few broken taps convinced me to make a miniature of this style...

https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/f...e/107721-1.jpg

which locks securely onto the tap.

The arms are made from 9/32" square stainless stock turned down to 1/4". I don't like knurling on tap wrench handles so they were left plain.

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I made a similar Tap wrench at High School back in 1962. I still use it.

I have one similar, but the handles are just a continuation of the tightening bolts.

So you only have to machine the combined handle/bolt up and screw it together.

Easier to make and works the same, plus you don't need a wrench/key to tighten the bolts.

Cheers Rob

Quote:

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Originally Posted by xynudu

I have one similar, but the handles are just a continuation of the tightening bolts.

So you only have to machine the combined handle/bolt up and screw it together.

Easier to make and works the same, plus you don't need a wrench/key to tighten the bolts.

Cheers Rob

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That's such a smart idea using the screw extensions as handles, and I wonder why I never thought of this when it was staring me in the face.
I have used several of these with conventional handles for many years, but long ago I got rid of the caps screws and replaced them with slotted machine screws. I find that there is nearly always a slotted screwdriver handy, but I always have to search for a correct sized Allen key.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by xynudu

I have one similar, but the handles are just a continuation of the tightening bolts.

So you only have to machine the combined handle/bolt up and screw it together.

Easier to make and works the same, plus you don't need a wrench/key to tighten the bolts.

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I've used wrenches of that type but didn't like them. Maybe it's just me but I had a tendency to twist the handles while tapping and that caused the wrench to loosen its grip on the tap. They are admittedly simpler to make though.

As for the Allen wrenches, mine are color-coded and housed prominently in a holder on the bench top. I've trained myself to put them back in the holder after use so finding them when needed again is a trivial exercise. A touch of OCD is a real benefit in the shop.

hokanuijoe,

That is a very nice tool. Good work.

xynudu,

That is a very interesting idea to use extended bolts as handles. It saves quite a bit of work. I have not seen this before and I have been around this business for over 50 years.

mklotz,

Nice alternate use for a standard hardware store item. The only thing I don't like are those long tails hanging out there ready to grab me.:)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Moby Duck

That's such a smart idea using the screw extensions as handles,

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I liked the idea of the original poster and shot a bit of video to show the one I have, which is a similar simple project for beginners:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNp0qiUc8Ng&t=25s

I've never had any problem with the handles coming loose. Works fine.

Cheers Rob

Rob,

Nice job on that tap wrench. I am going to build one and size it such that will work on my 7" mini lathe without fouling out against the ways. It should be a fairly quick project. Thanks for posting the video.

When I work aloft, like say on my sailboat, the tapered-end wrench saves carrying up an extra tool - a marlinspike...lol