Flexible threading system

A flexible threading method comprising:

• providing a wrench having a body having a socket defined by a first plurality of flat faces, a handle connected to the body for rotating the body, and a retaining member rotatably mounted to said body for movement between a first position and a second position, said retaining member exposing said socket when in said first position and having a portion extending over said socket when in said second position, said retaining member having a second plurality of faces defining an opening, said second plurality of faces being coextensive with the first plurality of faces when the retaining member is in the first position;
• a plurality of dies each having a shape and a dimension to fit into said socket;
• an adapter for retaining one of a plurality of taps and having a connector having the shape and the dimension to fit into said pocket;
• selecting one of the plurality of dies or one of the plurality of taps;
• if one of the plurality of dies is selected, inserting said one of said plurality of dies into said socket when said retaining member is in the first position, and rotating the retaining member to said second position;
• if one of the plurality of taps is selected, inserting said connector into said socket when said retaining member is in the first position, and rotating the retaining member to said second position;
• and
• inserting said one of the plurality of taps into said adapter.

A method of providing a flexible threading system comprising:

• providing a wrench having a body having a socket defined by a first plurality of flat faces, a handle connected to the body for rotating the body, and a retaining member rotatably mounted to said body for movement between a first position and a second position, said retaining member exposing said socket when in said first position and having a portion extending over said socket when in said second position, said retaining member having a second plurality of faces defining an opening, said second plurality of faces being coextensive with the first plurality of faces when the retaining member is in the first position;
• providing a first set of a plurality of dies each having a shape and a dimension to fit into said socket;
• providing a second set of a plurality of taps;
• providing an adapter for retaining one of said plurality of taps and having a connector having the shape and the dimension to fit into said pocket.

An adapter comprising:

• a first connector having a hexagonal shape connected to a body portion where the body portion has a smaller cross-sectional dimension than the first connector such that a shoulder is formed between the body portion and the first connector, said first connector being adapted to fit into a socket of a socket wrench such that the shoulder may be engaged by a retaining member;
• a tool engaging portion on the body portion for releasably retaining a tool including a plurality of teeth that are movable into engagement with said tool;
• a second connector for connecting to the drive of a standard ratchet wrench comprising a recess formed along a rotational axis of the adapter;
• and
• a third connector comprising a bore formed transverse to the rotational axis of the adapter.