Cheap Tap and Die set

[mhulbrock]

Just looking for some opinions / experience with cheap made in china tap and die sets.
Similar to HF or http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_tr..._nkw=metric+tap+set&_sacat=See-All-Categories

They are very inexpensive, good enough for a few times a year use for a hobbyist?

 

[Professur]

With the grief involved in trying to get a broken tap out (can't drill it) .. no way would I cheap out on taps.

 

[dede2897234]

mhulbrock,

I purchased more than a year ago, a Great Neck (Chinese made) tap and die set from AutoZone for $20. I was playing around with the die stock handle. The metal used to make the outside screw (to secure the dies within the die stock body) was so cheaply made that the threads were stripping after a few cycles of tightening and loosening. I returned promptly the Great Neck set to AutoZone.

I now own the Irwin Performance Threading System (made in China; bought it for nearly 50% off at Amazon) drive tool set; and the metric taps and dies set. The reviews for this Irwin product are very good on Amazon.

I also own U.S. made, high end, metric taps and dies purchased from MSC. Also, I have been to local "Do It Best" and Ace hardware stores and bought many new, old stock, U.S. made, Irwin Hanson metric taps and dies.


Dave

 

[Scuderia-F1]

With the grief involved in trying to get a broken tap out (can't drill it) .. no way would I cheap out on taps.

What he said!

 

[Davefr]

"Penny wise, pound foolish"!!

Going cheap might be OK for infrequent use in thin/soft metals but I would not trust them taping deep holes in steel.

A broken tap likely means the piece becomes scrap.

 

[Wrenches of Death]

They are very inexpensive, good enough for a few times a year use for a hobbyist?

They're pretty low on the totem pole of quality. They do make good "loaners" though. When a neighbor or buddy asks to borrow a tap or die, loan 'em one from those and make the statement that it they break one, they have three days to replace it with a new one. Period.

You stand a pretty decent chance of getting back a better one than they broke.

WoD

 

[Scuderia-F1]

They're pretty low on the totem pole of quality. They do make good "loaners" though. When a neighbor or buddy asks to borrow a tap or die, loan 'em one from those and make the statement that it they break one, they have three days to replace it with a new one. Period.

You stand a pretty decent chance of getting back a better one than they broke.

WoD

This is from now on my new "concept" to treat all freeloaders!

 

[caseyjw]

easier to get out a broken tap than a broken off bolt. why not buy them one-at-a-time from greenfield tap and die ? you often will not need an entire SET right away, and if you order from mcmaster-carr you can get them next day usually.

 

[justanengineer]

I cant remember the company name now, ask me when my big box moves west to join me, but a year or so ago I bought two sets from the local NY Pep Boys that were made I believe in western NY. It may have been a local thing, and they were sold only in either course or fine thread, but I think total they were ~$40 for the typical standard sizes of taps and dies, and are definitely top quality. When I get done with my current business trip, I will post pics in a new thread of last weekends auction score on taps and drills.

 

[DavidB]

I have a HF tap and die set and it *****. I bought it just for chasing threads a while back and for that it was accetpible. The thread pitch guage is the best part of the set and what I use most frequently if that tells you anything. I've since purchased good taps and dies and no longer use the HF set. I'd reccommend spending more and getting a superior product.

 

[MotoDave]

Cheap taps have always caused me more trouble than they're worth. that said, it is pretty handy to have all of the common sized on hand, ***** to have to put a project on hold for a few days to order the right tap from MSC. Keep an eye out for their metalworking flyers, last one had decent OSG taps for ~$3-4 each, so I bought enough to fill out my set.

 

[mhulbrock]

Some of the cheap kits are less than one individual tap from mcmaster...

The Irwin seems to be ok. any other specific recommendations?

 

[Mike662]

Just to jump on the bandwagon and repeat what others have said....

Not being a professional mechanic, I am all about trying to save money on tools whenever possible, and I have both HF and Snap-on tools in my garage.

Having said that, two things that I don't think you should cheap out on are taps and extractors. It's just too much trouble to remove a broken one, and I know I will break one (I've broken off bolt extractors, but not a tap...yet).

By the way, you didn't mention what you'll be using them for. If you are chasing existing threads and not cutting new ones (which is mostly what I needed taps for), I've recently learned of the value of a rethreading kit. I've got my eye on this Craftsman set: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00952105000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

Again, sorry for being repetitive.

 

[Professur]

We don't need to tell you to go slow, and use lots and lots of lube, do we?

 

[oldtools]

HF have several different set of tap and die. Avoid the really cheap ones. They are pretty crappy and useless. If you do get the HF, get the much higher quality ti-nitrate coated version. They are only for medium duty. If you plan plan to work with high strength steel, you should go with a professional brand.

 

[wafrederick]

You get what you pay for,invest the money for a pro set.Cheap cutting tools are junk and it includes the drill bits.I have a Craftsman set and is top of the line.I know about some cheap cutting tools,bought a set of cheap brad point drill bits from one of these Homier tool sales and would not drill through wood.Pitched the bits and kept the case.

 

[hofferwood]

We don't need to tell you to go slow, and use lots and lots of lube, do we?

That's what she said




Sorry
Chuck

 

[antinym]

I have the craftman sets. And they've been pretty good to me, though I haven't always been good to them. I saw the HF set, and they looked really cheap, little to no taper, looked like dies would be hard to start on a rod or to chase threads.

 

[Danglerb]

Taps don't chase threads, they cut on every use eventually making a loose weaker fit. Thread chasers clean the thread and just bend the metal back to the original shape a bit.

 

[JASTECH]

I have a few Hanson and the ones my gpa had and now I have custody of them. I don't know what brand as his tools are still set aside. My complete set so to speak is a MAC set made by?
I had broke a few Irwin, Century and Vermont American so spent more like I should have the first time.

Thanks, JASTECH

 

[Coach James]

Just to jump on the bandwagon and repeat what others have said....

Not being a professional mechanic, I am all about trying to save money on tools whenever possible, and I have both HF and Snap-on tools in my garage.

Having said that, two things that I don't think you should cheap out on are taps and extractors. It's just too much trouble to remove a broken one, and I know I will break one (I've broken off bolt extractors, but not a tap...yet).

By the way, you didn't mention what you'll be using them for. If you are chasing existing threads and not cutting new ones (which is mostly what I needed taps for), I've recently learned of the value of a rethreading kit. I've got my eye on this Craftsman set: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00952105000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

Again, sorry for being repetitive.

I have that set and it is quite good. I got it so I would not have to use taps and dies to repair damaged threads.

Coach