Tap and Dies
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2006
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Tap and Dies
Hi I was wondering if anyone has ever used the Kobalt tap and die sets at Lowes? We just got our first Lowes in the area and was just wondering if some of their tools were decent quality. Thanks
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Charleston Illinois
I bought one of thier metric dies. I only needed it for a couple of threads, and it seemed to work okay for that. If you plan on threading a lot of of stuff, invest in a good set. If you only need to do a few threads go ahead and try it out. I wouldn't buy the whole set though. There are lots of other brands around that would be better and have a comparable price.
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Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Home, at last!
Purchase quality taps and dies in the sizes you need. The sets have more than what the average guy uses. Taps and dies very greatly in quality.
I use them on a daily basis and have a set from the big box stores. That set has been opened once and that was to get a tap handle out of it.
I use them on a daily basis and have a set from the big box stores. That set has been opened once and that was to get a tap handle out of it.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 193
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From: Charleston Illinois
That's a very good point. I like having the whole set around so I always have the size I need (almost). But I have about a dozen in the top of my tool box that get used the most. You could save a bundle by only buying the taps you need, when you need them. None of them last forever and the complete set will be mismatched sooner than you think.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Bossier City, LA
Greenfield tap and dies are the best value for the money. I have been in the machine trades since 1992 and have seen many of the latest and greatest specialized taps come and go. Greenfield in my opinion are the best general purpose tap on the market.
New User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8
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From: Okanagan
I've never heard of Kobalt or Greenfield brands, most of my tap and dies are SKC and Bluepoint, but I never bought them new, I'd recommend looking for high quality used sets from automotive, motorcycle or farm business bankruptcy sales, you may just find some superb quality full sets for not too much money.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: San Francisco, Ca.
I have an Irwin-Hanson set that works for me.
If I need anything bigger, I'll just borrow pursang1's tap & die set.
Don't go cheap. If one breaks in a hole because of quality issues, you'll wish you had bought a good quality one.
If I need anything bigger, I'll just borrow pursang1's tap & die set.
Don't go cheap. If one breaks in a hole because of quality issues, you'll wish you had bought a good quality one.