General Tools 12-1/2 in. Ratchet Tap Wrench

The General Tools Number 12 to 1/2 ” ratchet tap wrench is a perfect tool for the job. It makes tapping, reaming and drilling small holes easy. I have always used a ratchet to tap holes but it is awkward to start the drill bit straight. This T handle is a lot easier to start the bit straight. You can slide the handle all the way to one side for more leverage on tougher jobs. The reversible mechanism allows for easy removal also. The ratchet will lock in the center position to eliminate the ratchet function. The tool will work from number 12 bits to 1/2 bits.

This ratcheting tap wrench works quite well, but there is some room for improvement. It is fairly large for the size of taps it will accommodate and there is no place for an extension if you wanted to use one. Also the handle will not come out of the tap. It has only 6 clicks for a complete rotation, so the ratcheting mechanism has to move quite a bit to get to the next click. But I do like it and it is quite a bit easier to use than a non-ratcheting style. The jaws grab well and will accommodate taps from about 8/32″ to 1/2″ , this will vary a little based on your style and brand of tap. It will also accommodate drill bits from about 11/64″ to 5/16″. The jaws lock down quite tight and grab well, the collar to tighten the jaws works smoothly and is nicely knurled for a good grip. You can set the ratcheting mechanism to Left, Right or Locked. It is adjusted by a little knob on the top that you pull up and turn, either Left, Right or Centered. The wrench is about 4 1/2 inches tall and the handle is about 5 inches long. All in all a nice tool that is decently made.

This tap wrench holds down to 1/4″ taps and it easily handled a 1/2″ tap. The ratcheting action is smooth. The adjustment for left, right, or lock, is a knurled metal part attached to the pin that controls the ratcheting. It was easy for me to make the left,right, lock adjustment. This wrench is very sturdy and the fit and finish of the components are excellent. The ratcheting action is smooth and positive.

Great

I’ve used standard tapping handles for a lot of years, but sometimes you really get annoyed trying to get at hard to reach holes, especially if you don’t have 180 degrees to swing the handle. That’s why I wanted a ratcheting tap wrench. I’m glad I got this one. Even when your’e not restricted, It’s easier and faster than pushing the handle through to the other side and changing hands on each turn. No, it’s not a twelve and a half inch wrench, It fits taps from #12 to half an inch.

Well made snd works as advertised.

This tap wrench holds down to 1/4″ taps and it easily handled a 1/2″ tap. The ratcheting action is smooth. The adjustment for left, right, or lock, is a knurled metal part attached to the pin that controls the ratcheting. It was easy for me to make the left,right, lock adjustment. This wrench is very sturdy and the fit and finish of the components are excellent. The ratcheting action is smooth and positive.

This ratchet is normally used for tap and die but I don’t do tap and die all that much. I do think it makes a good alternative to my ratchet screw driver or my drill. I can put any number of bits in the Chuck and it is convenient to use when I fear the drill driver may strip the hole. This tool is nice to use on mechanics or when working on heaters. It is a nice addition to my tool box. It is heavy duty and works great.

This 12-1/2 in. Ratchet Tap Wrench from General Tools is very handy. It can be set for right-hand or left-hand use, or locked for non-ratcheting use. The ratcheting feature will be good for those drilling, reaming, extracting tasks where continual single directional turning without reversing will work best. I generally like to reverse the direction of taps every turn or so, to break and clean chips. For drilling and reaming, reversing can dull the cutting edge, so I like to go in only 1 direction. The chuck jaws grip securely and hold well. The T-handle slides either way up to 4 inches providing for very good grip and leverage. The ratcheting action is very smooth, but may be a bit challenging to change directions with in some situations.