Recommended Tap and Die set
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,072
Likes: 25
From: San Mateo, CA
Recommended Tap and Die set
I've been off line from FTE for most of the summer working on a playhouse/swingset project for the kids. (Figured they'll only be 5 and 2 once, while the truck isn't going anywhere...).
Now it's done, they're swingin', and I'm free to get back into the garage!
With that in mind, I'm drawing up the Christmas wish list for tools. One of the top items is a good (complete!) tap and die set.
I'm guessing the high speed steel is worth the extra money when compared to the cheaper carbon steel sets. What do you guys think?
Now it's done, they're swingin', and I'm free to get back into the garage!
With that in mind, I'm drawing up the Christmas wish list for tools. One of the top items is a good (complete!) tap and die set.
I'm guessing the high speed steel is worth the extra money when compared to the cheaper carbon steel sets. What do you guys think?
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 863
Likes: 2
From: Grain Valley Mo.
Rob...I got my set from Sears probably twenty years ago. I have no idea what their made of, but they sure are hard! They've seen a fair amount of use in all those years and they look new, no signs of wear and never broke one. BTW, I use cutting oil.
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XFM...
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XFM...
Marmon-Herrington Man
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,986
Likes: 444
From: Central Illinois
Thirty five years ago the wife bought me the complete Sears Craftsman set in the walnut box for college graduation. Big money for us at the time. Today that set has it's own drawer in the tool cabinet. I'd suggest buying the most complete and highest quality set you can. You'll never regret it. Stu
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,190
Likes: 2
From: Riverside, So Cal
Rob -
I went with a low buck set from Harbor Freight. I have had sparing use for them, although I was very glad they were there when I did need them. The taps and dies cut OK, but the handles suck. Get the good ones.
I went with a low buck set from Harbor Freight. I have had sparing use for them, although I was very glad they were there when I did need them. The taps and dies cut OK, but the handles suck. Get the good ones.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,294
Likes: 1,055
From: NM
I have a cheap-o set I picked up at a garage sale (Taiwanese) for a couple bucks, and use it for cleaning threads, straightening burrs, etc but would never use them for tapping out a hole in an engine block or other critical hole (especially pipe threads). I have a handful of common sized Craftsman and Hanson HSS pieces for that. The CS pieces have a habit of cracking off when the going gets tough. They are tough to get out if they break off!!
Aside from the material being inferior, the cheap ones don't seem to be consistent in size or thread profile.
Aside from the material being inferior, the cheap ones don't seem to be consistent in size or thread profile.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,493
Likes: 7
From: Erie, pa
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Marmon-Herrington Man
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,986
Likes: 444
From: Central Illinois
Not exactly on subject, but you guys will I think get a grin out of this. I went to an estate auction at an old closed up hardware/auto parts store here in town a couple of years ago. I came away with this old Ace/Hansen display case will almost all taps and dies in place. They're the old round style dies. I don't use these, just admire them on the bench. Stu
Last edited by truckdog62563; Nov 25, 2005 at 11:05 AM.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,882
Likes: 3,126
From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
Not exactly on topic either but just a tip about broken taps, I drill and tap 12 guage steel all of the time and use a drill to spin the taps because I usually drill and tap at least fifty-sixty holes at a time it saves time. Once in a while I'll snap a tap off. The best tool to use for removing the broken tap is a spring punch. About a half dozen rapid punches and the tap falls apart. Remember the safety glasses, when the tap shatters it flies all over.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,119
Likes: 2
From: Southern New Hampshire
I bought a Tungsten steel import set a few years ago as the old set of my grandfathers was getting way worn out. It is 85 piece SAE and metric. Cost around $75 and use it regularly with no problems. Always use a good cutting oil, my preference is Tap Magic.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,172
Likes: 1
From: Oakdale,Ca.
I've an old Ace-Hanson set thats done okay for me...it's probably 30-40 years old.
One thing I've noticed in buying taps over the years, is the chrome finished two flute taps, seem to be tougher than the grey-metal looking 3 flute taps.
Anyone else notice this too?
One thing I've noticed in buying taps over the years, is the chrome finished two flute taps, seem to be tougher than the grey-metal looking 3 flute taps.
Anyone else notice this too?