Profession Opinions: Craftsman Tap & Die Set

[SKAutomotive]

I don't mean any offense to DIYers, but I am looking for some feedback from people who have to use these tools on a multiple times per day basis.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-48-p...0P?prdNo=5&blockNo=5&blockType=G5#reviewsWrap

 

[Skin]

Thats not a tap and die set in the sense of cutting new threads, its a thread restoration set to help straighten botched fasteners. Works extremely well and those thread files are worth their weight in gold. Kastar has been making it for decades and all the truck brands rebadge it.

 

[SKAutomotive]

Sorry, not a tap and die set, a thread chaser kit.

 

[SKAutomotive]

I am going to be using it a lot in the coming months on shifter base mounting points. They are welded nuts on the under side of the floor panel and get all rusty real quick. I bought a tumbler for the bolts, which is working fantastically, but I want to clean up the welded nuts before threading clean bolts back in. I expect anywhere from 100 to 250 uses in the next 3 month span.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

I don't mean any offense to DIYers, but I am looking for some feedback from people who have to use these tools on a multiple times per day basis.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-48-p...0P?prdNo=5&blockNo=5&blockType=G5#reviewsWrap

Not sure where I fit in on the professional level as to your question. I have a after hours and weekends 4x4 shop. Everything from restorations, lifts, mods, etc. Definately not my primary source of income, but I do get trucks into my shop the professionals fawk up from time to time.

With that being said I have that set, while I don't use it multiple times a day I've had it for years and it works fine. I'd say the biggest call of duty I use it for is cleaning up door hinge plates and captured nuts in frames and body support channels.

 

[Skin]

I am going to be using it a lot in the coming months on shifter base mounting points. They are welded nuts on the under side of the floor panel and get all rusty real quick. I bought a tumbler for the bolts, which is working fantastically, but I want to clean up the welded nuts before threading clean bolts back in. I expect anywhere from 100 to 250 uses in the next 3 month span.

I'm sure that use will be just as good a test as any, especially if its all on just a couple pieces. Just be aware there is no individual warranty from Craftsman (despite what the page says the set comes with a piece of paper/warranty disclaimer). You'd have to spend double the price for a truck brand if you want the luxury of free replacements on worn or broken items in that set.

Use lubricant!

 

[SKAutomotive]

Not sure where I fit in on the professional level as to your question. I have a after hours and weekends 4x4 shop. Everything from restorations, lifts, mods, etc. Definately not my primary source of income, but I do get trucks into my shop the professionals fawk up from time to time.

With that being said I have that set, while I don't use it multiple times a day I've had it for years and it works fine. I'd say the biggest call of duty I use it for is cleaning up door hinge plates and captured nuts in frames and body support channels.

That's actually right on par with what I will be doing. Thanks Skin and NC, going to order this right now.

 

[Buckgnarly]

I have and love that set, very complete for the money. Worst case if you do wear one out, just buy the SO relabeled individual one and that one will now have lifetime warranty.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=675360&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

 

[Rezeppa]

I don't find much use for them. I have always had better luck with tapered taps. I have a set of these rebranded MAC and I personally don't use them as often as I reach for my tap and die set. I use a tap WITHOUT lubrication when cleaning threads. I always double check that I am not cross cutting the threads, but I find real taps to be much sharper and less likely to break and double my work. I have no experience with the files but I want a set after reading the prier post. I find the set to be dull and I am always putting more force on them than I would like to. I think the dies per say are more valuable then the male thread chasers in the set. This is just my opinion I have guys in the shop that disagree with me. I learned that when chasing threads using lubricant just attracts dirt and makes thing more difficult. When forming threads I always go slow and steady.

 

[bobcatdan]

I use the **** out of mine. Wish I would have bought them years ago.

 

[SKAutomotive]

I have considered purchasing the SO one, but because my wife works for Sears, she can get this set for me for about 40.00 or said and done, so I think I will end up with the Craftsman.

 

[tjmonsen5]

The rethreading set is one of the BEST tools in my box. I use it all the time, especially when working on old cars. It is absolutely invaluble. Last time I was working on a ball joint that had messed up threads. I couldnt get the nut back on. I used the thread files in this kit and made the threads nice and straight again. It is quite amazing what you can do with this kit. I always reach for this kit first instead of my taps and dies. Its better to straighten the threads than cut new threads over the damaged one.

 

[454ragtop]

If it's just 1 size for these shifter mounting bolts, I'd buy a HSS tap that size, it will clean those threads without even breathing heavy. Doubt that Craftsman set is made for that kind of duty cycle.
Jim

 

[Thunderbisciut]

I have some individual Snap On thread chasers, but I never use them. I always reach for a tap, ymmv.

 

[bobcatdan]

The retread kit is one of the highest quailty tools sears sells. It is just a rebadged kastar kit which is the oem for the trucks.

 

[SKAutomotive]

The retread kit is one of the highest quailty tools sears sells. It is just a rebadged kastar kit which is the oem for the trucks.

I believe this wholeheartedly. Look at the SO kit on their website, IDENTICAL.

 

[montanafordman]

I'm not a professional mechanic but I have the same set and have used it extensively in the mechanical restoration of my 1931 Model A coupe. I have zero complaints and it worked well. It came in really handy chasing the threads on brake rods, clevises, spring shackles etc. It was effective for worn and rusted original parts and also poorly manufactured reproduction parts. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

 

[supra90turbo]

I have considered purchasing the SO one, but because my wife works for Sears, she can get this set for me for about 40.00 or said and done, so I think I will end up with the Craftsman.

I need to find someone who works at sears. I want this set, especially for that price.

 

[unslow1]

I have one of the Craftsman. A buddy has one of the Snapon. We can't tell the difference.

 

[ny1]

I bought a Craftsman rethread set and started using to it to clean up threads on a M37 that someone else took apart. After a while I stopped using it and started using standard taps and dies. They work better IMHO.

For 150-300 uses I'd go but a tap or two and a high quality handle, if you don't already have one.

If your going to buy taps and dies stick to stuff made in the USA. Greenfield Tap and Die or Cleveland Twist Drill are good choices.

If you eventually want a whole set frequent swap meets you can find some pretty amazing stuff at a great price.

I scrounged swap meets and flea markets for three years for taps. I have everything from #6 to 1 inch in both course and fine thread. Multiple taps in all sizes. A dozen or more in some of the more common sizes including taper, plug and bottom. Close to 300 taps in total. A few tap extensions. Everything is made by Greenfield Tap and Die, all tap handles are older high guality Starrett items. It would be very safe to say everything combined cost less then 500 dollars and it's been really, really useful.

 

[dirtydogintex]

I've had good success blowing out as much stuff as possible from the previously threaded hole before using a clean, dry chase tap (rethreader).... it gives the threads a better chance of surviving!!