A tap wrench is a

hand tool A hand tool is any tool that is powered by hand rather than a motor. Categories of hand tools include wrenches, pliers, cutters, files, striking tools, struck or hammered tools, screwdrivers, vises, clamps, snips, hacksaws, drills, and kni ...

used to turn taps or other small

tool A tool is an object that can extend an individual's ability to modify features of the surrounding environment or help them accomplish a particular task. Although many animals use simple tools, only human beings, whose use of stone tools dates ba ...

s, such as hand reamers and

screw extractor A screw extractor held in a tap wrench A screw extractor is a tool for removing broken or seized screws. There are two types: one has a spiral flute structure, commonly called an easy out after the trademarked name ''EZ-Out''; the other has a str ...

Types

There are two main types of tap wrenches: ''double-end adjustable wrenches'' and ''T-handle wrenches''. Double-end adjustable wrenches, also known as ''bar'' wrenches, have one threaded handle which is attached to one of the clamps. The clamp is opened to insert the tool and then tightened down against the tool to secure it. This type of tap wrench is used with larger taps and where there is room to turn a larger wrench. A T-handle is more compact. This type of wrench uses a

collet A collet is a segmented sleeve, band or ''collar''. One of the two radial surfaces of a collet is usually tapered (i.e a truncated cone) and the other is cylindrical. The term ''collet'' commonly refers to a type of chuck that uses collets t ...

to secure the tool. The collet design has two pieces: a threaded "nosecap" and four collet fingers; the collet fingers thread on the outside and the nosecap is screwed onto them. The nosecap is tapered, which causes the fingers to clamp onto the tool. This style tap wrench is useful in confined spaces or where extra reach is required. The hole which forms the collet fingers may be graduated/ sloped or may be stepped (i.e., have multiple diameters, usually two). The former accommodates a wide range of taps, but does not hold any of them with special security; the latter will accommodate two different sizes of taps (only) but will hold either with exceptional strength. Numerous sizes of tap wrenches are required to cover the available size range of tool heads. Generally speaking, the smallest size which accommodates the tool head is recommended because it reduces the risk of breakage from excessive force.

References

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