Tap Wrenches

About Tap Wrenches

Tap wrenches are essential hand tools designed to securely hold and turn taps when cutting internal threads in metal, plastic, and other materials. Whether you're working with taper, plug, or bottoming taps, a quality tap wrench provides the control and leverage needed to create precise, clean threads without damaging the tap or workpiece. MyToolShed.co.uk stocks a comprehensive range of tap wrenches from trusted brands including Sealey, Draper, Faithfull, Facom, and Dormer.

Available in various configurations including T-handle designs, adjustable bar types, straight handle models, and ratcheting versions, tap wrenches cater to different threading applications and workspace constraints. Ratcheting tap wrenches are particularly popular among professionals as they allow continuous threading motion without removing the tool, whilst adjustable models accommodate multiple tap sizes for greater versatility on site or in the workshop.

Applications

Tap wrenches are used across numerous trades and industries, including:

• Engineering and manufacturing – creating threaded holes in components and machinery
• Automotive mechanics – repairing stripped threads in engine blocks, gearboxes, and chassis components
• Plumbers and heating engineers – threading pipes and fittings for secure connections
• General fabrication – metalworking projects requiring custom threaded holes
• Maintenance and repair – restoring damaged threads in equipment and structures
• DIY enthusiasts – home workshop projects involving metal fabrication and repair

Choosing The Right Tap Wrenches

When selecting tap wrenches from MyToolShed.co.uk, consider these key factors:

Handle type: T-handle wrenches offer excellent control and even pressure distribution, ideal for precision work. Bar-type wrenches provide greater leverage for larger taps, whilst straight handle models excel in confined spaces.

Ratcheting mechanism: Ratcheting tap wrenches significantly speed up threading operations and reduce hand fatigue during repetitive tasks, making them worthwhile for professional use.

Adjustability: Adjustable models accommodate various tap sizes, reducing the need for multiple tools. Fixed-size wrenches offer superior grip and are preferred for specific, repeated applications.

Capacity range: Ensure the wrench capacity matches your typical tap sizes. Sets often provide the best value, covering common metric or imperial sizes used in your trade.

Build quality: Hardened steel construction ensures durability under workshop conditions. Premium brands like Facom and Dormer offer enhanced precision for demanding professional applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between ratcheting and standard tap wrenches?

Ratcheting tap wrenches allow continuous rotation in one direction whilst automatically resetting on the return stroke, eliminating the need to reposition the tool constantly. Standard wrenches require manual repositioning for each turn but typically cost less and offer simpler, more robust construction suitable for occasional use.

Can I use one tap wrench for all tap sizes?

Adjustable tap wrenches can accommodate a range of tap sizes within their specified capacity, typically covering the most common sizes for general work. However, for optimal grip and control with very small or very large taps, dedicated size-specific wrenches or comprehensive sets available at MyToolShed may provide better results.

Do I need different tap wrenches for metric and imperial taps?

No, tap wrenches work with both metric and imperial taps as they grip the square drive portion of the tap shank, which follows similar sizing conventions. Simply ensure your chosen wrench's capacity range covers the tap sizes you'll be using, whether metric or imperial.