Master tap and die set recommendation?

[alec]

Hi there, I'm looking to pick up a master tap and die set that will last a lifetime with a large assortment of sizes. Something of high quality, preferably made in USA or possibly Japan or Germany.


Thanks! All help is greatly appreciated!

 

[Lucid Moments]

IIRC from past threads on the subject there is a kit from Irwin/Hanson that is rebranded by many companies including Snap-On and Matco that is well thought of.

 

[PFSard]

Here's a recent thread that might help :

Looking for a nice under $200 Tap and Die set.

Hi, I have a thread restorer kit but I am looking for a decent well rounded kit. Any ideas? Thanks

www.garagejournal.com

 

[Gunfixr]

You should understand that taps and dies are cutting tools, and all cutting tools are consumables.
Yes, a higher quality set will last longer than a cheap set, but all will dull with use. You don't have to get crazy on it.
Irwin/Hansen, greenfield, etc.

 

[didit]

You sound like an occasional use guy like me. Maybe a dozen times a year. It is still worth the extra expense to buy quality to minimize the chances of breakage that can stop a project in its tracks. I bought a Hilka set of SAE taps & dies in the late '60s and "knock on wood" have never broke one yet. I am always overly cautious and as said, not an everyday user. I was given a nice set of Snap-on metric for a job completion bonus 25 years ago that I really like but haven't used much. I consider both sets "lifetime". Even the Hilka set came with a lifetime warranty.

 

[alec]

You should understand that taps and dies are cutting tools, and all cutting tools are consumables.
Yes, a higher quality set will last longer than a cheap set, but all will dull with use. You don't have to get crazy on it.
Irwin/Hansen, greenfield, etc.

Yes I understand that. But I'm a garage mechanic, not a career mechanic. So taps and dies aren't used often but when I do need one, I don't want it to let me down.

 

[Jland]

Ok... I will be the guy that says it... for home use.. from 6-32 to 1-14.. ( or the metric set) the harbor freight tap/die set for 70ish bucks is well worth the money... cutting fluid and proper technique far outweigh expensive taps and the lifetime warranty.. use a tap a half dozen times then take it back for a new one. For everyday use spend the money for hss.. occasional home use... carbon steel is fine

 

[shawhite]

Ok... I will be the guy that says it... for home use.. from 6-32 to 1-14.. ( or the metric set) the harbor freight tap/die set for 70ish bucks is well worth the money... cutting fluid and proper technique far outweigh expensive taps and the lifetime warranty.. use a tap a half dozen times then take it back for a new one. For everyday use spend the money for hss.. occasional home use... carbon steel is fine

Spoken by a guy who has never used a quality tap or die.

really not enough information to make a recommendation. What sizes? Metric, standard or a mix? Budget?

 

[Jland]

Making my living for over 30 years as a locksmith and drilling and tapping literally thousands of holes and spending hundreds upon hundreds of dollars on taps and dies... yea.. it was all junk.. disregard everything I said... go spend 500+bucks for a tap and die set you may use a couple times a year. Thanks so much for exposing me as the idiot you believe me to be

 

[shawhite]

Making my living for over 30 years as a locksmith and drilling and tapping literally thousands of holes and spending hundreds upon hundreds of dollars on taps and dies... yea.. it was all junk.. disregard everything I said... go spend 500+bucks for a tap and die set you may use a couple times a year. Thanks so much for exposing me as the idiot you believe me to be

No amount of tapping fluid and technique will make a cheap carbon steel tap perform like a quality HSS tap.

 

[Keep]

A nice base set is great. But hunt your local classifieds for the retiring machinest. Best money I ever spent.