Starrett Tap Wrench with Tempered Gripping Surfaces - 1/16-1/4" Capacity Tap Size, 6" Body Length, 3/32-5/32" Square Shank - 91A

Excellent made in USA quality from Starrett- as expected

There's a reason why this is so expensive. If you're a Machinist on the fence about whether to purchase or not, just do it. From a 1/4-20 to a 2-56, you'll not find it's equal.

Sterrett are an old, highly respected company who make highly accurate tools. I will confess, I am a fan of this company. I have many Sterrett measuring, cutting and layout tools. They have been in business since 1880. This is a tool for holding taps up to 1/4" (6.5mm) and cutting treads in metal holes for bolts. There are many competing tap holders which, for this purpose, will work ok and are cheaper. But this one you can pass on to your grand-kids, still functioning like new. Look at the body of the tool; it is forged out of one piece of tough, hardened and polished steel which glistens in the light. Like all my other Sterrett tools, it will be stored in it's original box after use and having been cleaned and a lite coat of oil applied. I inherited from my grandfather a Sterrett surveyors measuring tape covered in leather. It still works fine and the leather is still fine as well. My grandad died in 1953 and, according to my dad, used it in the 1930s. Only a rich man can afford cheap tools.

In this day and age where poor quality tools from China is the rule rather than the exception, Starrett products always stand out from the crowd. This little tap wrench is finished like a jewel and works, plain and simple. It may cost a pretty penny, but it will last forever and work flawlessly every time.Another word about good tools - they seem to inspire us to do things perfectly and professionally. This is not a bad thing.

Update June 2018: Still look and function like new. Incredible tool. I have to keep a close eye on these wrenches as they seem to have legs and always end up on someone elses bench.Original review: Working in a machine shop, quality tools that last a long time are a requirement. I've been using the cheaper style of tap wrench that is made by a plethora of Chinese companies for a few years now and was replacing them at a rate of approximately 1 per year.I finally decided to purchase a GOOD tap wrench and went with the Starrett 91A and 91B. I can not get over how nice these tools are.Pros: They hold the tap rock solid, the threads are tight and smooth, the overall design is about 200 years ahead of the other style of tap wrench...I do not see how these could wear out in a year, or even 10 as long as they are wiped down and lightly oiled before storage.Cons: None.Starrett tools are kind of like a Mercedes Benz. The long you wait to buy them, the more you end up spending. If you need a good tap wrench that you can rely on for years, just get these and be done with it.

This review is for the Starrett 91A Tap Wrench which I ordered two of on November 14, 2020. One was for myself, and one was as a gift for my son who is a BMW performance fabricator, and he is a stickler for quality. The tool appears to be a high quality tap wrench that will likely last for years. It is small (6 inches in length) and should accommodate most taps up to 1/4" or M6. As several other reviewers have noted, the thread and spindle cap were full of machining residue and needed to be disassembled and thouroughly cleaned. After a good spray of brake cleaner, high-pressure air and some heavy machine oil everything functioned properly, albeit not with the smooth precision one has come to expect from Starrett. It is disappointing to receive a "Made in the USA" item such as this.

It may seem silly, but using a nice tap wrench completely transforms the entire process. The weight, balance, and finish are so nice, I wish I'd bought it sooner. To keep it from being lonely in the toolbox, I had to buy the 91b and 91c as well!

Quality item for machining. The best part is how the adjustment threads have slight interference to keep it in place while using.