Broke My Tap Handle Today:-(
- Thread starter YYCHM
- Start date
It seems that KBC carries tap handles ranging from a #8 (1/16-1/4) through to a #13 (1" to 2-1/2"). They are all called "Heavy Duty".
I have a Bosche #12 that looks Heavy Duty (forged) but that designation will only last till I break it.
As I said before, when taps get big, I like to use a sliding driver bar with a square drive socket.
The problem with that is all those sizes of square drive that come on taps. They are not all 1/8, 3/16, 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, etc. Some have an equivalent square drive size and some don't. But on the other hand, when they do fit, they work great and it also allows the use of an extension for easier access and cheater pipe for extra leverage for those few times when either is needed.
I took a quick look at the die holders on KBC too. On this side of fastener threading tools, they flamed big time IMHO. None of them look very impressive based on the web site photos but then again as @YYCHM found out, the product that arrives doesn't always look like the photo.
Chicken lights
Forum Pony Express Driver
Square drive socket? You mean an 8 point socket or actual tap sockets?
Typically 8 point. I believe that they do make tap sockets though. I just don't have any.
Chicken lights
Forum Pony Express Driver
You will love tap sockets, for the type of stuff you wrench on
I was kind of thinking of that the entire time when tapping that 9/16-18 LOL. Lord knows I've broken enough of them with the small handle already
You get that scritch sound and then bang.
Last edited:
I was kind of thinking of that to LOL. Lord knows I have broken enough of them with the small handle already
From my limited experience threading with any size tap is a no rush job. One uses much cutting fluid, takes a small cut then backs it off to clear the cuttings. Making a consorted effort to clear cuttings is a must where you will end up with a thread like a pro. Just saying!
I hear you on that one, after learning the hard way. Back off and blow all the swarf out many times.
With you guys all the way. I don't know how anyone ever gets the courage to chuck a tap in a motorized driver of any kind.
I'm a firm believer in getting the cutting axis as close as humanly possible to the hole axis - follow the hole even if the hole is crooked! Then slow and easy she goes..... My rule of thumb is 1/2 in, 1/4 out 4 times (one full thread) then clean.
Ya a big tap handle is bad, but so is tapping a big hole. Not gunna tap a 1.5" hole if your using a tiny handle even if you could get the handle onto the tap. That's when the square socket and big sliding T-bar come into their own.
To be honest though, I've broken more teeny tiny taps than big ones.
Got a pair of tap wrenches in my last KBC order on the strength of comments by others here. These are different. They are branded KBC - Blaze ProTool.
I'll probably send them back. They have a baked on paint coat to hide the metal, the machining is poor, and I have little faith in them. Here is a photo of my Bosch next to the KBC. Obviously, the Bosche is a bigger size, but it's easy to see the difference.
I'll probably send them back. They have a baked on paint coat to hide the metal, the machining is poor, and I have little faith in them. Here is a photo of my Bosch next to the KBC. Obviously, the Bosche is a bigger size, but it's easy to see the difference.
Thanks for the post @Susquatch, for what it's worth I have a small set of adjustable reamers branded KBC - Blase ProTool manufactured in India. Although the machining is not, I repeat not of Starrett quality they do the job for the few times I've needed one. If the price is right most often one can always clean up botched machining. As for looking pretty I can live with ugly appearance, it's only a tool.
On the flip side perhaps @YYCHM might comment here as to how well his 2 tap wrenches from KBC function.
What say you Craig?
For the price I'm quite happy with them.
Me too. I'm fact, I almost prefer ugly. Anyone as ugly as I am can't throw stones.
However, I don't like paint so thick I can't see what is under it, I don't like edges that look like they were cut with a jig saw, and I don't like a clamp that wobbles as you tighten the screw.
Na, mine looks just like yours. At least they are steel and not pot metal.
How do you know that? That's my bitch with the paint. I can't see what's under that and therefore I'm suspicious. What is hiding under there?
I want to know more about this flexarm he's using. Nice tool. Anybody give us more info on that? Like how much for one?
Magnet
The laugh I added to your post was at myself for not trying the magnet...... I'll give that a whirl tomorrow.