Why do you need taps AND DIES

[mrjaw14]

I'm looking to get a set of taps and see the kits comes with taps and dies. I know I've wished I've had a set of taps before, but can't really think of when a set of dies was needed.

What's the practical uses for having dies in addition to taps?


PS: Is the Irwin kit the OEM for the truck kits? What's a good set of taps that provides good general coverage?

 

[Mike007]

For 1, cleaning up threads.

 

[DodgeMech]

for the moments when you **** up both the bolt and the threads it screws into by impacting before it is square in the hole...everyone's done it at least once

 

[mrjaw14]

For 1, cleaning up threads.

Pardon my ignorance, but wouldn't a thread chaser kit be better for that? I was under the impression dies would actually remove metal instead of just reform the existing threads? Am I over-thinking this?

 

[Lone Star Blaze]

This is about to get good.

 

[jim1987]

Well, what do you use a tap for? The die does the opposite job...

There's a reason they're sold in kits.... smh

 

[PBCampbell]

I occasionally have the need to fabricate something that requires making male threads, but taps get used at least 100 times more than dies. Those big sets come in handy for the seldom used sizes and I'm glad to have one, but buying just the sizes that are used frequently is more practical. For thread cleaning and chasing I also recommend the kits along with some thread files.

 

[Packard V8]

Not again! In the immortal words of Chief Joseph on taps/dies vs. thread restorers, "Hear me, my chiefs! I am tired; my heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever."

jack vines

 

[franzdom]

Very often you can replace the bolt, or it's a stud that you can't get a die on anyway, so taps are generally used more. As for the restorer question, they cut threads too, I feel that it's harder to cross thread with a restorer, they are slightly more foolproof. As for which is "better" a die used properly isn't going to ruin an already gacked thread but it likely will make it slightly weaker than a restorer would.

I used the restorer kit just this weekend putting a seat back in my car that I had out for leather repair, cross threaded both and that restorer kit saved my ****. Worked like a charm!

 

[rednotch]

For 1, cleaning up threads.

chase kits work better, Unless your cutting new threads.

Only time I use taps anymore is when I have to drill out old hardware or making something from scratch other wise, I use a thread chaser. Haven't used a die in ages.

 

[merbie]

As long as you use split dies you don't need a thread restorer


Sent from the sticks

 

[Dust Devil]

You either need them or you do not, you will know when the time comes. I have and use taps, dies and the USA thread restore kit that is common to many MFG's I find them all handy and make life in the shop better.

 

[BirdMobile]

In 25+ years of wrenching and machining, I've used a die exactly once. Shortly after buying a handful of common SAE dies, I threaded a short length of rod stock to try out the new tools and make sure I knew how to use them.

They've sat in the drawer ever since... never had a need for them. Waste of money if you ask me.

Chased threads on a lathe a few times, though... I suppose if i didn't have access to a lathe dies would be rarely useful... but I wouldn't hold my breath. One of those tools to buy individually as you need them, and skip the whole set. At least in my opinion

P.S. There are far better ways to restore threads.

 

[Dust Devil]

I use them to clean up hardware all the time. People are hacks and sometimes you can not find the unique fasteners so you have to work around.

If you are the only wrench that touches the things you work on then I can see why you never run into roached bolts and nuts and inserts that need to be cleaned up. I work on things that have had untold numbers of hands on them so I run into bad things daily.

 

[Zeke]

I use them both several times a year and I'm just a hobbyist beyond my carpentry skills. Never threaded wood though. I should do that. Cutting female threads should be fun.

By hand.

 

[littletoes]

Yep, most just use them for cleaning up threads....

But, there are 4 different "percentage of thread engagement" on taps and dies. I would bet most didn't know that, but hey, I'm getting to be an old guy...

I've threaded round stock to make special bolts, or U-bolts.....

 

[purplezr2]

I use then to clean bolts and make other thread objects.

 

[greasemonkey44]

for the moments when you **** up both the bolt and the threads it screws into by impacting before it is square in the hole...everyone's done it at least once

Quoted for the truth

Also guys harping on the thread restorers remember there is more than one way to skin a cat. Sometimes a tap works better, cuts thru instead of jamming like a thread restorer.

 

[MaintenanceGuy]

For us non machinist types, dies have a use.

I'm looking to get a set of taps and see the kits comes with taps and dies. I know I've wished I've had a set of taps before, but can't really think of when a set of dies was needed.

What's the practical uses for having dies in addition to taps?


PS: Is the Irwin kit the OEM for the truck kits? What's a good set of taps that provides good general coverage?

 

[espyking83]

For 1, cleaning up threads.

Right here.

 

[A_Pmech]

I actually just bought a couple of dies. It's the first time I've needed one in years.

I have to thread a bunch of 304 SS rod ends with 10-24 threads.

This should be fun!

 

[Dust Devil]

Quoted for the truth

Also guys harping on the thread restorers remember there is more than one way to skin a cat. Sometimes a tap works better, cuts thru instead of jamming like a thread restorer.

Yes indeed.

 

[ibedayank]

make shaft ... thread one end to 7/16 20

drill out bell tap to 7/16 20
used both a tap and die

 

[RedneckWelder]

PS: Is the Irwin kit the OEM for the truck kits? What's a good set of taps that provides good general coverage?

As I understand it Irwin/Hansen is the usual supplier for taps and dies for the trucks.

The difference is some of the trucks do have a different warrenty than the Irwin norm. Snap On, I believe, replaces broken ones. Don't hold me to it, though, I don't deal with Snap On much.

 

[jmm]

I own and use a tap and die kit, thread chasers, thread files, and 60 degree files.

My thread chasers aren't as complete as my taps and dies, so I most often use the dies [carefully] as thread chasers. Every once in a blue moon I'll use it as intended. Usually on fab work, very rarely on an actual repair.

 

[Shadowdog500]

Buy what you think you need. I have taps and dies, and have used both for threading. Irwin is still made in the USA. You may get the dies now anyway before they move offshore like everyone else.

I've been looking for an old "made in USA" craftsman metric tap and die set for years. I'm still kicking myself for not getting the metric set years ago when I bought my SAE set. Now the craftsman tap and die set is on par with HF.

Chris

 

[Davefr]

What's the practical uses for having dies in addition to taps?

A tap makes a female thread. You need a die to cut the male thread. It take two to mate.

 

[Fretters]

Irwin is still made in the USA. You may get the dies now anyway before they move offshore like everyone else.

Typical. They keep their own production homegrown, yet palm production off to other countries for companies they've taken over, of which Record is one fine example.

 

[jim1987]

Buy what you think you need. I have taps and dies, and have used both for threading. Irwin is still made in the USA. You may get the dies now anyway before they move offshore like everyone else.

I've been looking for an old "made in USA" craftsman metric tap and die set for years. I'm still kicking myself for not getting the metric set years ago when I bought my SAE set. Now the craftsman tap and die set is on par with HF.

Chris

Pm'd

 

[Techie1961]

Dies are handy for lengthening the thread on a bolt/screw when you need a longer thread. Handy for adjusters, odd fitups, etc. or making a special tool for who knows what.

 

[shockwave]

That moment when you are removing the rusted rotor off and hit the stud instead of the rotor the dies come in handy

 

[Shadowdog500]

Thanks for this thread! It prompted me to do an online search for an old craftsman "made in USA" tap and die set. And I found close enough to what I was looking for. It should be here by Friday.


Chris

 

[Kevin54]

I'm looking to get a set of taps and see the kits comes with taps and dies. I know I've wished I've had a set of taps before, but can't really think of when a set of dies was needed.

What's the practical uses for having dies in addition to taps?


PS: Is the Irwin kit the OEM for the truck kits? What's a good set of taps that provides good general coverage?

I actually just bought a couple of dies. It's the first time I've needed one in years.

I have to thread a bunch of 304 SS rod ends with 10-24 threads.

This should be fun!

A_P....

I use taps and dies all of the time. For instance, just today, I wanted to make a stick for the GoPro I just recently bought. I had some conduit, I knurled it, then tapped the other end to accept a mount that I modified.

Yesterday, I needed a 10-32 threaded stud, and didn't have one. I tossed a piece of 3/16" aluminum into the lathe and made up a stud that got the job done.

But at that, it all depends on what a person does, what equipment they have, and so on. Some people may never ever need a set of taps and dies. It's all dependent on what sort of repairs you do around the house, and around your vehicles. A true machinist that has machining running through their veins, will always have a set of taps and dies. Whether it be to make a male or female thread, or whether it be to clean up the threads on a screwed up bolt. They do come in handy.

For Joe Homeowner that his passion is golfing every chance he gets......does he need a full set of taps and dies.....NO. A tap and die set is for someone that makes things, plain and simple. For Joe the Golfer, shelling out hundreds for a GOOD set of taps and dies, only to use them once or twice a year if that, and he has no equipment as far as a mill and a lathe.....then NO, he does not need to invest into something like that.

But if you are someone that likes to build things, has some serious hobbies that include machining of some sort, then yes, you will probably need a set. Someone like a ******** Model Railroader that likes to build a lot of his own stuff could benefit from something like that. A DIY guy that works on cars as a hobby, definitely needs a set of taps and dies.

They are not for everyone, but they most definitely have their place in a garage that turns wrenches, and also makes parts on a machine.

 

[ZRX61]

I just used a 1/4-20 tap AND die this very morning

 

[Jwych]

I know that the die we used for thread on spindles was a lifesaver when I was assembling large ag fertilizer spreaders. Yes we used taps far more bit without the die when we needed it it would have been hours of rework!

 

[mrjaw14]

If the dies are being used for thread chasing I can see that. I don't see me making studs from blank steel, which is what prompted my original question. I don't need taps very often, this is more of a have it in the shop item and right now I can get one on sale and wondering what to get.

You gys getting the sets with drill bits or are the bits usually junk?

 

[Altmech]

I have 3 uses

1. Cleaning up bolts that are rusted/dirty.etc.
2. Figuring out what size/pitch a bolt Is if you don't know especially when you're not sure if metric or sae
3. Cutting new threads when you have a bolt that isn't fully threaded.

1&2 can be done with thread chasers. 3 cannot and needs a die

 

[warweapon762]

I think the only thing I've used dies for was to clean off my taps/clean up banged up threads on bolts that I didn't really want to go buy replacements for.

 

[Karl_B]

I've used my dies to thread rods when making things like a rack to hold spray bottles. Not a commonly used tool, but I wouldn't want to throw mine out.

 

[garfunkle24]

Only time I really use dies is for adding more thread to a bolt that isn't fully threaded, like when needing push bolts for a rotor or pulley.