To drill with accuracy, it is necessary to have the correct equipment. A T-handle tap wrench is a vital hand tool for this process. This handy device is adjustable to fit taps in various sizes. It has a T-shaped handle held onto the tap by a set screw, and the other end of the wrench has a slot into which the tap fits snugly. The size of the tap and wrench is determined by the width of the shank, which itself is fitted into a drilled chuck and typically runs from 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch. Altogether, these pieces comprise a highly precise and efficient tool for drilling and tapping accurate holes with relative ease.
For applications involving tap nuts, an L-shaped tap wrench is essential. With a uniquely shaped handle for gripping, the opposite end of the wrench hosts a slot designed perfectly for sliding in a tap. Unlike other types of tap wrenches, this one has no adjustable features and instead requires you to find the hammer that fits the shank size of the tap you are looking to use. The most typical taps come sized at 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 inches.
For turning and tightening taps, two tools often come to hand — the T-handle tap wrench and its L-shaped counterpart. Adjustability is mainly what sets the T-handle tool apart; it can accommodate fasteners of varying dimensions, whereas the size-specific L-shaped variation is fixed for a particular shank width.