What's your favorite tap and die set?

2cool2hear · Feb 17, 2016

What's your favorite tap and die set, and why?

I'm looking for a reliable set, up to 1/2", that will last me a lifetime. Trying to avoid buying a junk. I need them for fabrication jobs.

I'm done with Harbor Freight, almost everything I've bought from there broke.

Many thanks :bounce:

shockwave · Feb 17, 2016

You will need to buy individually hss taps greenfield comes to mind facom makes a nice set aswell not sure of reliability though

bobcatdan · Feb 17, 2016

For the general purpose set, I think the Irwin sets are fine. Paying the added premium for them to say SO on them has gotton me a no questions asked easy to use life time warranty on everything. I find them to be much better then my USA craftsman set which I'm pretty sure is Vermont American. For somebody doing a lot of threading, then looking at a HSS set would be a good idea. For a mechanic who only uses them once in a while, the Irwin's are good enough.

ibedayank · Feb 17, 2016

greenfeild
irwin
Hanson

djb2 · Feb 17, 2016

Is it realistic to expect a tap and die set to last a lifetime if they are regularly used?

I have two index sets of drill bits, which are pretty much a "reference library". For the sizes I expect to use I buy packs of bits and consider them disposable. (Why else would double-ended jobber-length bits exist?)

You might consider the same approach: buy a reasonably priced full kit, then buy singles for any tap or die that you actually use.

astroracer · Feb 17, 2016

djb2 said:
Is it realistic to expect a tap and die set to last a lifetime if they are regularly used?QUOTE]

I bought my 1st set of taps and dies from Sears, at the Flint store, in 1974. I used my graduation money to buy tools.
It's a Craftsman set. #10 thru 1/2" fine and coarse threads. It gets used regularly and I have never broken or replaced any of the taps. I'd say 42 years of service is pretty good.
I have two complete sets of Snap-on taps and dies and I still go to the Craftsman set for 99% of my threading needs. I just built this angle plate.

I used the 3/8-16 tap to thread 39 holes in 1/2" plate.
I can't speak about todays Craftsman quality but these have been very good, wouldn't you say?
Mark

bobcatdan · Feb 17, 2016

djb2 said:
Is it realistic to expect a tap and die set to last a lifetime if they are regularly used?

I have two index sets of drill bits, which are pretty much a "reference library". For the sizes I expect to use I buy packs of bits and consider them disposable. (Why else would double-ended jobber-length bits exist?)

You might consider the same approach: buy a reasonably priced full kit, then buy singles for any tap or die that you actually use.

No, they are a cutting tool that will wear and dull over time. That's why as long as the warranty policy doesn't change, I like SO lifetime warranty. My craftsman set has no warranty and over time is slowly transitioning to HSS out of the stock room at work.

bcradio · Feb 17, 2016

astroracer said:
djb2 said:

Is it realistic to expect a tap and die set to last a lifetime if they are regularly used?QUOTE]

I bought my 1st set of taps and dies from Sears, at the Flint store, in 1974. I used my graduation money to buy tools.
It's a Craftsman set. #10 thru 1/2" fine and coarse threads. It gets used regularly and I have never broken or replaced any of the taps. I'd say 42 years of service is pretty good.
I have two complete sets of Snap-on taps and dies and I still go to the Craftsman set for 99% of my threading needs. I just built this angle plate.

I used the 3/8-16 tap to thread 39 holes in 1/2" plate.
I can't speak about todays Craftsman quality but these have been very good, wouldn't you say?
Mark

Click to expand...

It depends on how much they get used. If they get regularly used but once a month that's not very much as compared to regularly used multiple times a day.

2cool2hear · Feb 17, 2016

Thanks guys for the reply. I'll look into those.

I just found out Sears' Craftsman 39 pc. Standard Tap and Die Set are on sale for $59.99. Thoughts?

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-39-pc-standard-tap-and-die-set/p-00952382000P?unitNo=0001121&sellerId=SEARS&prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

bobcatdan · Feb 17, 2016

Unless somebody can tell me the new China craftsman sets are better then the old USA sets, I wouldn't. The USA set is passable, but Irwin's are much better. Tap and dies are one thing you shouldn't cheap out on. I think the Irwin set strike a good balance of while not the best, are very good for general use.

cliftonbros89 · Feb 17, 2016

Have an older set of Hansons that work pretty well, broke a few though. There's some single Irwins laying around that work well. I also have Snap On up to an inch and the large metric set as well. Have all the accessories to go with them all well. Very satisfied with them.

fatfillup · Feb 17, 2016

I bought a Mac set years ago and am quite happy with it. Likely made by Hanson.

Ainsley · Feb 17, 2016

I started with a cheap mastercraft tap and die set which I still have but once i started using them more regularly I've put together my own set of individual taps from a few different manufacturers.
- Walters: nice stuff but $$
- cleveland: very nice but also $$
- cle-line: good bang for the buck in a USA HSS
- Sowa: offshore HSS, decent for their price
- osborne: UK HSS, been pretty happy with the few i've had.
This was from playing around with some higher end samples I got, I should add that what i normally stock is straight flute since I do mostly through tapping:

StillTooManyHobbies · Feb 17, 2016

My favorite tap and dies are vintage Greenfield or GTD screw plate sets. They cut better than anything else I have used. I have a AA-4 set for smaller and a 312 set for up to 1". Both were dumpster finds that I later filled with the missing pieces. The pictured sets are like mine, but not my actual sets.

winlinmac · Feb 17, 2016

$50 Thread Restorer Kit from Sears (Same as Snap On); used only when don't want to shell out $20 for a replacement automotive bolt

LB-1911 · Feb 17, 2016

2cool2hear said:
What's your favorite tap and die set, and why?

I'm looking for a reliable set, up to 1/2", that will last me a lifetime. Trying to avoid buying a junk. I need them for fabrication jobs.

I'm done with Harbor Freight, almost everything I've bought from there broke.

Many thanks

2cool2hear said:
Thanks guys for the reply. I'll look into those.

I just found out Sears' Craftsman 39 pc. Standard Tap and Die Set are on sale for $59.99. Thoughts?

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-39-pc-standard-tap-and-die-set/p-00952382000P?unitNo=0001121&sellerId=SEARS&prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

Give these a look

http://handtools.jawco.com/viewitems/all-categories/rethreading-tap-die-file-sets-2

In the event you have any questions concerning their products use the"Request Information" tab.

About Us
Jaw Manufacturing Co. was founded and incorporated in Reading, Pennsylvania, in August 1950 by James A. Williamson (1916-2001) and has been headed by his son, James A. Williamson, Jr. since 1990. We are proud of our long history of quality tool making and of our longtime dedicated and hard-working employees upon which our good reputation for quality tools and your satisfaction depends.

http://www.jawco.com/about_us.html

My Old Tools · Feb 17, 2016

today Irwin is Hanson.

Rich. · Feb 17, 2016

I've just got a large set of Ruko taps and dies, from M4 upto M20. Inthe same boat as you, hoping it will last a lifetime. They're German made and arent cheap, but the quality seems brilliant.

Rich

bcradio · Feb 17, 2016

winlinmac said:
$50 Thread Restorer Kit from Sears (Same as Snap On); used only when don't want to shell out $20 for a replacement automotive bolt

Finky198 · Feb 17, 2016

Snap on rebranded Irwin come with Lifetime Warranty thats what I Bought they work fine for Everyday use and if it does happen to break or dull. I call and they send a new one in 3-5 day its def makes them worth the extra price...

+1 on The 48pc thread restore kit is awesome but beware the CM kit is no longer covered under warranty so you break it u buy it ( most likely easiest to order replacements from snappy) which in turn would be covered in the future...

winlinmac · Feb 17, 2016

Haven't had the need for tap and die set to make create new threads yet, just restore, I'll consider a tap and die set later on

bcradio said:

shockwave · Feb 17, 2016

If you look at craftsman look for vintage sets thru eBay there are hss and made by Vermont and are not the same as craftman today

And all truck brands will be rebranded Irwin/Hanson and not hss I believe older Hanson sets were and a lot better but Matco/snap on offer lifetime warranty I know for sure

viikinki · Feb 17, 2016

One vote for Dormer and Irwin drillbits

66354dream · Feb 17, 2016

+ 1 for Hanson

four.cycle · Feb 17, 2016

Most of mine are old Columbia but I was missing a few so I just filled in the holes with Irwin-Hanson from Ebay. I've had pretty good luck with the Irwin stuff I've bought over the years.
I've had a little "Ace Hanson" set for over 40 years that still works just fine, but threading 8-32 and 10-32 holes doesn't result in a lot of 'wear and tear'.

check this guy's listings- he's got a couple small sets. I got those singles above from him for about $3 each
http://www.ebay.com/sch/m.html?_odk...11.TRC2.A0.H0.Xirwin.TRS1&_nkw=irwin&_sacat=0

winlinmac · Apr 10, 2016

Would this suffice as a starter kit? I work mostly with Metric.

Hanson 26313 Metric Tap & Hex Die Set, 25 Piece (~$72, Tap and Dies Made in USA)
I read that the self-leveling ones are far better. Costs $49 at Lowes for the 14-Piece Kit. Add additional tap and dies as you go.

https://jet.com/product/Hanson-2631...Set-25-Piece/a9803c65ca634ea08e6e9745e0074d36

NUTTSGT · Apr 10, 2016

There's a place fairly local that sells stuff (all sorts of stuff) and they used to have some closed out tools. I started buying a few Hanson taps there for a few bucks apiece and they included the drill bits too. As I was collecting them, I needed a size I didn't have and went ahead and bought a Cman set about 15 years ago. I stopped buying the Hanson stuff but I need to see if they still have them.

Both of them have worked fine for me when I have needed them as a DIYer.

RedneckWelder · Apr 10, 2016

A Plano box is $4 at the store and eBay is rife with quality USA made taps and dies cheap individually.

Aqua-Andy · Apr 10, 2016

I agree with going the Irwin route. Taps and dies are a consumable item they will eventually wear out or break. When you wear out a tap replace it with a good HSS product, chances are after many years you will only have a few common sizes you will have replaced. The SnapOn set is just over twice the price of the Irwin set, I would still stick with Irwin. If you do a lot of fabrication work you will wear out taps, it is just a fact of life. I would also suggest the Craftsman thread restorer set for repairing and not cutting threads.

Duker · Apr 10, 2016

RedneckWelder said:
A Plano box is $4 at the store and eBay is rife with quality USA made taps and dies cheap individually.

^^^^ This....I have an old Craftsman SAE set (which if you can find cheap is nice) but when I needed to start acquiring some metric taps and dies I found that this was my best option. I created searches for the sizes I wanted and it would email me when there were new items. Over time I now have a decent set that probably saved me a third to half if I bought them new as a set.

Jim Johnstone · Apr 10, 2016

At work I use a **** ton of dormer, sandvik, and YG taps.

Marcm157 · Apr 10, 2016

I bought a gearwench set from Amazon a while ago. It suits my needs as a hobbyist just fine.

alfazer · Apr 10, 2016

Split dies are better because you can adjust them slightly for size and they use a three-screw holder. The cheaper sets don't have splits in them.
The hex shaped dies are usually intended for restoring threads.

I like Presto HSS sets and they come in a wooden box. not sure if you have Presto in USA. Same sort of brand as Starrett.

2oolhound · Apr 10, 2016

I found the Hanson/Irwin sets to be good value. Not hss but not the price either and much better cutting than the cheap stuff. I hate plastic cases but I actually like this one. Closed, it sits in a shallow drawer and opened, the top tray sits firmly in the lid. They definitely designed this kit to be compact.

Katodog · Apr 10, 2016

Gearwrench 3887...best set ever. I use mine all the time, haven't had a single issue yet. This set is hands-down my absolute favorite tool that I own. It's worth any price, when I bought my set, many years ago, I paid $225 and it was more than worth it.

Here's an eBay search. Amazon prices are similar.

T45 · Apr 10, 2016

Question - who actually uses the dies for cutting threads? Most modern threads are rolled, not cut. I once tried to thread the last bit of a bolt that didn't have threads on it (ie, not fully threaded from factory), and got ***** slapped by my own ignorance. If I can't use it for that, I sure as heck won't be threading blank die stock, will I?

Thread restorer dies are very useful, but much different tools IMHO.

What do you all think? Is it worth buying huge kits?

tarbellb · Apr 10, 2016

I own both some 90's era Irwin/Hanson SAE sets and a Gearwrench Metric set.

Typically im tapping new threads in common carbon steel, nothing to hard. Both sets have held up so far but....

If I was tapping something critical like engine parts, or some harder materials I would only use high end USA/German made tap and dies.

Gearwrench's ratcheting handle and accessories are amazing btw, totally worth buying alone.

Katodog · Apr 10, 2016

T45 said:
Question - who actually uses the dies for cutting threads? Most modern threads are rolled, not cut. I once tried to thread the last bit of a bolt that didn't have threads on it (ie, not fully threaded from factory), and got ***** slapped by my own ignorance. If I can't use it for that, I sure as heck won't be threading blank die stock, will I?

Thread restorer dies are very useful, but much different tools IMHO.

What do you all think? Is it worth buying huge kits?

If parts of your job requires you to do stuff like this then yes, it's worth it. If you're a hobbyist or just simply don't do a lot of thread work, then a simple thread restorer set is all you need.

I use taps and dies to create threads, not just to clean existing threads. I thread bare stock a lot, and sometimes I use dies to thread the non-threaded part of a bolt so I can get it to thread in farther. I've threaded round stock to make fasteners and I've threaded probably thousands of holes. A tap and die set is a must for me. I use thread files and thread restorers too, but only for something that has a slightly damaged thread.

Jim Johnstone · Apr 10, 2016

T45 said:
Question - who actually uses the dies for cutting threads? Most modern threads are rolled, not cut. I once tried to thread the last bit of a bolt that didn't have threads on it (ie, not fully threaded from factory), and got ***** slapped by my own ignorance. If I can't use it for that, I sure as heck won't be threading blank die stock, will I?

Thread restorer dies are very useful, but much different tools IMHO.

What do you all think? Is it worth buying huge kits?

All the time. Not too often I use a die for threading, normally male threads are done on the lathe if possible. I use taps pretty much daily to put in new threads.

anndel · Apr 10, 2016

I have the Gearwrench 3887 and it's fine for everyay use and I especially like the ratcheting handle. I also have a 1980's Hansen set I use if tapping engine blocks, cylinder heads - especially cast iron blocks.

What's your favorite tap and die set?

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