Are there sockets for square heads like thread taps?

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Nov 11, 2020
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Ontario, Canada
Does anyone make sockets (1/4" or 3/8" drive) that can take square heads (1/4, 3/16, 5/16, etc) or what-ever size that you find on a thread tap? I find that some times you need to cut some thread in a location where the conventional tap handle can't fit. I have managed to jamb some taps into sockets, sometimes wrecking the socket but the job got done. There has to be a better way.
 
Does anyone make sockets (1/4" or 3/8" drive) that can take square heads (1/4, 3/16, 5/16, etc) or what-ever size that you find on a thread tap? I find that some times you need to cut some thread in a location where the conventional tap handle can't fit. I have managed to jamb some taps into sockets, sometimes wrecking the socket but the job got done. There has to be a better way.
https://www.northerntool.com/products/lisle-tap-socket-set-model-70500-112588

I think these would do the trick.
 
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/tap-sockets-needed-lisle-vs-irwin-adjustable.500082/

There are options, discussed in this thread.

But, is $30 for the Lisle set on Amazon out of your budget?
I'm seeing a price of $46, could be in CAD, but I'm also seeing a message that it can't be shipped to Canada, but yea, $40 - $50 is out for something I might use once every other year. And that is a generic set of imperial sizes? 8 point square? Not necessarily the exact tap sizes? If I'm going to buy an imperial-size generic set for square heads, I'm sorry but it's going to be 4-point, not 8 (does anyone make such a thing?)

I haven't actually measured the sizes of tap heads - are they odd-ball? If so - why?
 
I've got the Lisles and the "adjustable chuck jaw" Irwins. I find them invaluable, but I work with threads a lot being a machinist.

They're great for chasing holes but only in the most desperate of circumstances would I freshly tap a hole due to off-axis loading as alluded to by @eljefino

If you can't afford the real thing, you just have to hope the square end is a size that'll cooperate with a 12pt socket -- some do, some don't
 
Oh and if you're trying to tap a fresh hole with these, honestly the best thing is to use an impact wrench (preferably on low power or smaller like 3/8" drive) or even an impact driver.

The spindle of your power tool always spins true and concentric, provided you're holding it straight with the hole. IOW, no different than power tapping on a mill or DP

I just did this tapping the top of a pumpkin NPT for e-locker wires to pass through. Worked beautifully but is not without risk.
 
Look closely at this middle sockets. 8 point. Square. There are some fasteners on antique cars and machinery that have square nuts. A socket is often the best way to go though an open end isn’t bad.

That said, I would just get the tap socket set. There a more sizes in there than in my selection of square sockets.
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Does anyone make sockets (1/4" or 3/8" drive) that can take square heads (1/4, 3/16, 5/16, etc) or what-ever size that you find on a thread tap? I find that some times you need to cut some thread in a location where the conventional tap handle can't fit. I have managed to jamb some taps into sockets, sometimes wrecking the socket but the job got done. There has to be a better way.
I have used the lisle set for years. It works well.
 
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