Snap on Tap & Die sets

[911mick]

Does anyone know if the snap-on tap and die sets are made by Irwin/hanson?

Next question, are they any good? Are they US made?

 

[krusty the clown]

yes,yes, and AFAIK

 

[Uncle Buck]

yes,yes, and AFAIK

Summed up nicely.

 

[-B-]

The best thing about them and may justify a bit of the price difference is that the dies are adjustable.

 

[TRTOOLSUPPLY]

The Irwin Hanson also comes in adj. dies and cost less.
On a side note PRO CUT imports are cheaper on some sizes.

Richard
TR TOOL SUPPLY

 

[billymade]

Irwin/Hanson and Snapon both seem to have lifetime warranty on the taps/dies but I guess the truck would give you a replacement right away...
Irwin/Hanson warranty info: http://www.irwin.com/irwin/consumer/jhtml/guarantees.jhtml

 

[mrb]

The Irwin Hanson also comes in adj. dies and cost less.
On a side note PRO CUT imports are cheaper on some sizes.

Richard
TR TOOL SUPPLY

what is PRO CUT? Is that something you guys sell?

 

[TRTOOLSUPPLY]

PRO CUT makes almost every kind of cutter ,taps dies,end mills,screw machine drills,etc.I sell them to some of our customers.They seem to be a good brand for an import,it's comes down to cost ie:1/2" cobalt HD high speed 135 degree split point drill,flute 2 1/4,3 3/4 length-MORSE brand$15.70-PRO CUT $6.00.I like and sell US made tools,just want to give another option!

Richard
TR TOOL SUPPLY

 

[mrb]

PRO CUT makes almost every kind of cutter ,taps dies,end mills,screw machine drills,etc.I sell them to some of our customers.They seem to be a good brand for an import,it's comes down to cost ie:1/2" cobalt HD high speed 135 degree split point drill,flute 2 1/4,3 3/4 length-MORSE brand$15.70-PRO CUT $6.00.I like and sell US made tools,just want to give another option!

Richard
TR TOOL SUPPLY

do they have a website?

 

[TRTOOLSUPPLY]

My supplier said they just sell wholsale,they didn't know of a retail website.
I am going to find out if that is so.I know PRO CUT has several manuf. all over the globe China,India and GOD knows where else!!

Richard
TR TOOL SUPPLY

 

[mrb]

i meant the procut manufacturers website, not a retail site to buy them from

 

[sk farmer]

i have the mongo set from vermont american. takes up a full width drawer. all the sae up to 5/8. picked it up barely used for 69 retail is north of 200. seems to also be ok for my use.

 

[TRTOOLSUPPLY]

To Mrb,
I don't know of one and on top of that "ME THINKS I GOT OFF THE ORINGAL TOPIC OF SO TAPS and DIES" SORRY!!!!Didn't mean to go on a rabbit trail.

Richard
TR TOOL SUPPLY

 

[W-Cummins]

Irwin may make them for Snap-On but, the smaller dies that Snap-On sells are unlike any Irwin/Hanson sell/show on their website.

William...

 

[911mick]

Thanks guys. Is the snap on / hanson gear carbon steel?

Would I be better off getting a HSS set?

 

[charlie_nj]

I've got the 76 piece Irwin / Hansen set, no. 26376 which I got on a great Amazon deal for $87, it's currently listed for around $130 on Amazon. Still a pretty good deal, in my opinion. It is carbon steel and is US made. I've been pretty happy with it so far.

The Irwin HSS sets run in the $700 range.

 

[Joelfke]

I've got the 76 piece Irwin / Hansen set, no. 26376 which I got on a great Amazon deal for $87, it's currently listed for around $130 on Amazon. Still a pretty good deal, in my opinion. It is carbon steel and is US made. I've been pretty happy with it so far.

The Irwin HSS sets run in the $700 range.

i would think its a great deal since the 41pc set from irwin is $90 on there....40 bucks more gets you double the pieces....

 

[Elroy]

Would I be better off getting a HSS set?

YES

Carbon steel taps **** the big one

 

[Diesel_Crawler]

Would I be better off getting a HSS set?

If you can afford it i would, you will get way more mileage out of them and not be like "damn it, broke that small tap again "
I have spent my fair share of time getting out broken taps.

 

[911mick]

YES

Carbon steel taps **** the big one

Any recomendations on a good set Elroy? I only really need metric.

 

[senlow]

As others have posted, they are Irwin/Hanson. The few that I have were made in USA.

Are they good? They're better than Vermont American and the chinese ****. But, they are only carbon steel. You will be far better off with high quality high speed steel taps and dies like Greenfield, OSG, Morse etc.

 

[Elroy]

Any recomendations on a good set Elroy? I only really need metric.

If all you want to do is chase threads to remove trash then a carbon steel tap is OK at best. If you're going to be cutting new threads then you need a ground thread high speed steel tap to what ever "H-Limit" the application calls for. Then you need to consider the configuration of the tap. Gun tap, starter tap, bottom tap ? Any type of surface treatment??

Go to Travers, MSC or ENCO and shop around. There is nothing wrong with buying individual taps. People who whip out their Snap-On tap and die sets don't really impress Elroy as there is much more high quality stuff available.

You will be far better off with high quality high speed steel taps and dies like Greenfield, OSG, Morse etc.

Ditto

 

[Steve from Socal]

For hand taps GTD packages HSS taps in sets of taper, plug and bottom that are sold at places like McMaster and perhaps on ebay. GTD also sold some sets of taps and dies with all three of the above style taps, I bought a set on ebay years ago for under 75.00 in as new condition. These were UNF 1/4- 1, I know they made a UNC set also, not sure about metric. I only have a few metric dies; I have a lathe with metric threading but, dies are not a high use item for most folks. Good taps are an a smart investment, cheap taps are throw aways and worse can cost a lot more in time and moneyto burn out when they break.

Steve

 

[Joelfke]

Good taps are an a smart investment, cheap taps are throw aways and worse can cost a lot more in time and moneyto burn out when they break.

Steve

good call...

would an irwin set be good enough for situations like if a tie rod end threads were screwed up? or a similar automotive application? or would you (anyone) recommend getting HSS? the HSS sets are extremely expensive

 

[Merkava_4]

The main thing I look for in a tap and die set is the case. I nice blow molded plastic case is what I look for. As far as has the actual tap and dies ... they'd all eventually get replaced by Union Butterfield taps and dies anyway. I saw a pretty nice blow molded plastic case over at Orchard's Supply Hardware under the brand name Vermont American.

 

[Elroy]

Don't forget about thread files

 

[Steve from Socal]

good call...

would an irwin set be good enough for situations like if a tie rod end threads were screwed up? or a similar automotive application? or would you (anyone) recommend getting HSS? the HSS sets are extremely expensive

I prefer HSS taps however I do understand they can get spendy. On repair or say rusty ball joints a carbon tap would likely be OK. Two things that many take for granted in using taps; Tapping fluid is vital to tap life and thread form, keeping taps sharp and not forcing a dull tap, that is when they break.

Ball joints and tie rods are a case where often you need a left and right hand tap, several companies sell clean up taps for these and they may be a reasonable value? The more you use a particular size the likely a good tap is money well spent.

Steve

 

[-B-]

First thing I look for in a tap is , is it offer in a blow molded case if so I run away and will not put my money on it. Greenfield's are my favorites and always get adjustable dies , as long as your taps do not clang around you are fine.

 

[Merkava_4]

First thing I look for in a tap is , is it offer in a blow molded case if so I run away and will not put my money on it. Greenfield's are my favorites and always get adjustable dies , as long as your taps do not clang around you are fine.

I think we'd all like the have a Greenfield tap and die set, but at $1200 a set, that's too expensive even for my expensive taste.

 

[fatfillup]

If a tap is HSS, is it safe to assume it will be marked that way? And if its not marked HSS, it's carbon steel? Thanks in advance for info and man I love this site!!!

 

[-B-]

If a tap is HSS, is it safe to assume it will be marked that way? And if its not marked HSS, it's carbon steel? Thanks in advance for info and man I love this site!!!

HSS taps are marked so are cobalt and others carbon is not marked.


BTW most tap sets included taps and dies you never need. Buy what is common for you to use first then fill in with the odd ball stuff as time goes by.