Features:

  • Body is centered
  • Heat treated
  • Sliding Handle
  • Designed to hold square shanks
  • Fits tap sizes 1/16-Inch - 3/16-Inch
Starrett 93C tap handle

Starrett uses a jaw design that reliably holds a tap so that it doesn't loosen during use- I'm not sure sure why more companies don't use this method as it's not that complex. Yes, this tool is expensive, and yes you should take it apart and clean it up before use, but you'll get over both of these negatives the first time you use it and the tap doesn't fall out of it like the cheap tap handle you had before. The Starrett website lists it as made in USA but there are no markings on the tool or packaging - so I'm a bit skeptical.

QUALITY MATTERS!

I spent days on a project with the last step being drilling and tapping 4 holes @ 4mm x .7 each. I was using a bargain made in China Irwin 4mm tap from Home Depot when it broke off in the project. This happened while taping with the barely used already broken Irwin tap handle. I know Starret b/c my grandfather was a tool and die maker. My father handed them down to me. They are 80 years old and look and work like the day Starret shipped them out. Needless to say the work of art Starret tap handle worked beautifully. Starrett quality is a GREAT VALUE. As my father always told me "cheap tools are the most expensive tools you can buy". Do yourself a HUGE favor and buy Starret quality made in the USA. P.S. I rounded up all of the remaining Irwin Made in China crap and placed it in the garbage can.

How can a tap wrench be this nice?

I don't know how to explain how much of a work of art this simple tap wrench is. I got this because my other tap wrenches, which work fine for larger taps, were difficult to use with a #4 tap. I've always admired and desired Starrett tools and the price wasn't so far outside of reality that I could not justify it. If you need a high quality tap wrench, just cry once and pull the proverbial trigger. You won't regret it for a tool of this quality level and craftsmanship. Now, one day for a set of every punch Starrett makes.

So worth it

Starrett tools are expensive. They always have been. They are also the finest quality available anywhere and typically out last the original owner by two generations. This tap wrench is no different. Pretty much jewelry for men. If you want to own the finest, this is it.

Starrett need I say more

Excellent quality, fit and finish. Another fantastic tool to add to my toolbox, I have no doubt it'll last my entire career. If I could change one thing about this tool it would be the length of the handle. When you get into the "larger" .500-13 size taps it would be nice to have a little bit of extra leverage

Another great tool from Starrett

Starrett tools can be a bit expensive, but the quality is worth the extra money. The handle is held in place by a C shaped clip inside the hole in the wrench. I found that giving the handle a little twist helps push the handle through the clip. Once the handle is in the clip it slides without much effort, but it won't fall out. In fact you can hold the wrench by the handle and shake it and the wrench won't fall off, at least while it's still new. Only time will tell if the clip loosens with use. The wrench does have a hole in the top for using a spring tap guide. The one thing that did bother me was the fractional tap size description for the 93A and 93B. When's the last time you went to the tap drawer and pulled out a 3/16" or a 7/32"??? They should list the machine screw sizes. I bought the 93A, 93B, and 93C just to make sure I had the right size when I needed it. All 3 seem to be the same high quality so I can combine the reviews into 1 and use it for all 3. I sorted out the tap sizes so here they are. The 93A will hold machine screw taps from #0 to #8. When I tried a #10 it went in, but felt like it wasn't meant to. The 93B will hold a #10 to 7/16. The 93C, like it says, does 1/4 to 1/2. I saw a previous review where the user had some trouble tightening the chuck. The 93 series tap wrenches have V shaped jaws to hold the square end of the tap to prevent the tap from twisting in the jaws. It only needs to be tight enough so the tap doesn't slide out. The jaws fit inside a slot cut in the solid body of the wrench and the chuck threads on the solid body. This design means the torque applied to the tap can't cause the chuck to loosen, even if it is already loose enough for the tap to fall out. Some other tap wrenches are designed to grip the round shank of the tap so you do need to put a death grip on those.

Excellent Tool MADE IN THE USA!

This company has been in business long before I was a machinist apprentice as a kid in the '70's. Their tools are made in the US, constructed very well, accurate, and all are held in high regard; this one does not disappoint. It is very sturdy, machined well, has a good feel and heft in the hands, and adjusts within each limit with precision. I plan to be using this until I'm too old to work with my hands.

Another great tool from Starrett

The handle is held in place by a C shaped clip inside the hole in the wrench. I found that giving the handle a little twist helps push the handle through the clip. Once the handle is in the clip it slides without much effort, but it won't fall out. In fact you can hold the wrench by the handle and shake it and the wrench won't fall off, at least while it's still new. Only time will tell if the clip loosens with use. The wrench does have a hole in the top for using a spring tap guide. The one thing that did bother me was the fractional tap size description for the 93A and 93B. When's the last time you went to the tap drawer and pulled out a 3/16" or a 7/32"??? They should list the machine screw sizes. I bought the 93A, 93B, and 93C just to make sure I had the right size when I needed it. All 3 seem to be the same high quality so I can combine the reviews into 1 and use it for all 3. I sorted out the tap sizes so here they are. The 93A will hold machine screw taps from #0 to #8. When I tried a #10 it went in, but felt like it wasn't meant to. The 93B will hold a #10 to 7/16. The 93C, like it says, does 1/4 to 1/2. I saw a previous review where the user had some trouble tightening the chuck. The 93 series tap wrenches have V shaped jaws to hold the square end of the tap to prevent the tap from twisting in the jaws. It only needs to be tight enough so the tap doesn't slide out. The jaws fit inside a slot cut in the solid body of the wrench and the chuck threads on the solid body. This design means the torque applied to the tap can't cause the chuck to loosen, even if it is already loose enough for the tap to fall out. Some other tap wrenches are designed to grip the round shank of the tap so you do need to put a death grip on those.

Not as good as those made pre 2000, but still solid

The old ones, had a different handle design with detents in the middle and the ends, the new design does not. However, man this baby will grip your tap flawlessly. I have the other big box brand version Craftsmen, and this is soooo much better. Grips my m3 taps so easily, and stays locked in place. Unlike my other Craftsman that takes a lot of force, and still breaks free.

Amazing Quality!

Wow! I ordered this to replace a China made tap wrench. I read the reviews, but didn't really appreciate how great the quality of the wrench would be. It's not built like the other tap wrenches that I've used. The chuck side is designed more like a chuck on a drill press. It's amazingly smooth when you tighten it. The handle stays wherever you put it as it slides to any position which is unlike the China made tap handle which falls out onto the floor. I'm so pleased that I plan to order the next size bigger. I don't write many reviews, but I don't see how anybody could put less than 5 stars on this wrench.

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