Collection of Greenfield taps and dies. Don’t need these and No idea how to value them.

[lwgana]

I acquired these from an older retired machinist and have no real idea of what they are worth. There are about three dozen taps—most are Greenfield…a few are Ace. Big ones (1-1/8” and down) are Greenfield. They appear to be in pretty good shape with no rust.

Just a handful of dies (3-4 large one) and most of the smaller ones are Ace, I think.

I know the big taps and dies are pricey when purchased individually—I just want to sell the lot at a decent price and move on. I’ll probably cross list on EBay and Marketplace. Wish I had the handles but I do not.

Appreciate any input. Thanks

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I picked up a similar set of taps, no die, including 5 pipe taps for C$50.00 15 years ago. Yours look to be all sae so maybe not much of a market. I'd probably start at 150 to 200 and drop from there as time passes.

And then 10 years ago I bought a set of machinists tool boxes for C$100.00. It had about $2,000.00 worth of tools, including metric taps and dies in it. So the market can be fickle depending where and when you are.

 

[finn]

I’d donate them to Habitat for Humanity..

They’re not worth enough to endure the mouth breathers you’ll encounter when trying to make a few dollars selling them.

 

[lwgana]

I picked up a similar set of taps, no die, including 5 pipe taps for C$50.00 15 years ago. Yours look to be all sae so maybe not much of a market. I'd probably start at 150 to 200 and drop from there as time passes.

And then 10 years ago I bought a set of machinists tool boxes for C$100.00. It had about $2,000.00 worth of tools, including metric taps and dies in it. So the market can be fickle depending where and when you are.

Appreciate it…yeah they are nearly all SAE. And the world is going metric. But there’s a ton of old cars and machinery out there. They’ll sell. Eventually

 

[lwgana]

I’d donate them to Habitat for Humanity..

They’re not worth enough to endure the mouth breathers you’ll encounter when trying to make a few dollars selling them.

I’m a patient man. I have more faith in humanity.

 

[PWC Repair]

............. And the world is going metric............

Well, actually the rest of the world was ALREADY metric. Us Americans are the oddballs, driving on the wrong side of the road and stuff LOL!!

 

[lwgana]

Those darn Frenchmen. lol they started it.

 

[cgrutt]

I didn't look that closely but it seems there are many multiples of same size not sure if anyone would have a need or be be willing to pay a premium for that. Same with the large sizes. You may want to sort them out and break down by complete sets of individual sizes and sell them separately to maximize dollars. Esp the very large sizes sell those individually. Problem with old taps and dies is buyer is taking some risk that they're still sharp and work properly. Even if unused can become dull if they were all thrown in a drawer and stored together. Good luck.

 

[lwgana]

Good advice…definitely some dupes in there

 

[tarbellb]

$50 bucks if youre lucky

 

[lwgana]

Given what those large ones price individually at, that’s a no go. Yeah some of them have been used but some have not. I’ll see your 50.00 and raise it a bit lol. We ain’t all metric, yet.

 

[Zewnten]

I picked up a similar set of taps, no die, including 5 pipe taps for C$50.00 15 years ago. Yours look to be all sae so maybe not much of a market. I'd probably start at 150 to 200 and drop from there as time passes.

OP will be lucky to get $100 for the lot unless there are multiple sets in there, then they might get $100 per set. Complete tap and die sets sell for good money to the DIY guys but just taps, some random dies, no handles and no case? Too much work for the most people.

My advice don't be greedy holding out for another $50, if someone offers $100 to $150, I'd take it or your kids will be throwing them away after you pass.

edited for mobile spelling mistakes

 

[bonneyman]

You never know until you try. Some beginner might see that set and it would be gold to him. One man's trash is another man's treasure they say.
Almost weekly I'm shocked at what I find at estate sales, rummage sales, and swap meets. I come across some nice stuff that people have piled on tables like trash and priced like junk. I'm thrilled, and they're happy to be rid of it. You never know.

 

[tarbellb]

Going to be one of those zombie FBMP/eBay postings that just never dies

Any tap or die without the wax or factory packaging is a automatic mystery piece and immediate flag for any serious buyer
Good luck, that patience might be tested

 

[four.cycle]

^ and on the flip side, there are people who will joyfully pay $6.00 each for old rusty open-end lobster-claw wrenches at a garage sale.

 

[lwgana]

Going to be one of those zombie FBMP/eBay postings that just never dies

Any tap or die without the wax or factory packaging is a automatic mystery piece and immediate flag for any serious buyer
Good luck, that patience might be tested

Lol nope….I listed at 125 and I already have some interest for three people . Oh ye of little faith.

OP will be lucky to get $100 for the lot unless there are multiple sets in there, then thy might get $100 per set. Complete tap and die sets sell for good money to the DIY guys but just taps and some random dies no handls no case? Too much work for the most people.

My advice don't be greedy holding out for another $50, if someone offers $100 to $150, I'd take it or your kids will be throwing them away after you pass.

I expect you are right. I’ll list them reasonably and leave some room.

 

[lwgana]

Lol nope….I listed at 125 and I already have some interest for three people . Oh ye of little faith.

I expect you are right. I’ll list them reasonably and leave some room.

And I have half a million people within 35 miles of me ….so that helps…quasi urban and country

 

[mikey03]

It sounds like in spite of your thread title and first post and everyone telling you that sae tape aren’t worth much you already have decided what value you think they have so is this just an advertising for sale post?

 

[JuncleJohn]

Go to your local hardware store and compare the quantity of inches to metric hardware inventory. Inches will be around forever in the USA.

John

 

[Shiftless]

IMHO, Collections like that are best shipped with the USPS flat rate boxes.

 

[Steve_P]

Go to your local hardware store and compare the quantity of inches to metric hardware inventory. Inches will be around forever in the USA.

John

True. But inch hardware went out in the 1980s on even the "big three" cars. Not too many people need inch sized taps today, but we still need an inch sized hex key to install a faucet, or an inch sized bolt to fix a gate.

but you should buy his taps since they're so necessary.

 

[The Cobbler]

inch hardware went out in the 1980s on even the "big three" cars. Not too many people need inch sized taps today, but we still need an inch sized hex key to install a faucet, or an inch sized bolt to fix a gate.

Canada officially went metric in the early to mid 70's .
I use a lot more sae taps & hardware than I do metric. I don't think I'm unique

 

[four.cycle]

Not too many people need inch sized taps today, but we still need an inch sized hex key to install a faucet, or an inch sized bolt to fix a gate.

I have never used a metric tap in my life.
I gave my big full-blown "Columbia" metric tap and die set to my buddy about 30 years ago.

 

[neophyte]

True. But inch hardware went out in the 1980s on even the "big three" cars. Not too many people need inch sized taps today, but we still need an inch sized hex key to install a faucet, or an inch sized bolt to fix a gate.

but you should buy his taps since they're so necessary.

I have a grinder were I would need Whitworth taps and dies, in both left and right hand threads to make accessories.
I think the Whitworth threading is even a standard still used in Asian countries.