craftsman tap and die kit

[PoorOwner]

Has anyone used tap and die kit from craftsman before, they have a professional kit on craftsman club sales around $110 now

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00952305000P?vName=Tools

I wish I can see what sizes are in the kit..

I also have the thread restore/repair kit.. would you ever use a tap and die kit to repair something?

 

[Deafautotech]

i would suggest to have both!!! i had tap and die set and restore/repair kit but both are act like repair the threads... BUT for make new thread on new metal then tap or die are must!!!!

most of time my work got problems with threads and i got it fixed....

 

[Stuey]

You could also do as I do and just purchase what you need separately. It gives you more freedom in selecting the sizes, material, and styles.

 

[eschoendorff]

I have the Craftsman carbon steel taps and dies and they always work for me. That is a high speed steel kit which will probably last longer.

I will tell you that I do not use my taps/dies nearly as much as my thread restore kit. Craftman sells the same one as Snap On (both made by Kastar, IIRC) and one of the most useful tools that I own.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00942275000P?keyword=thread+restore

 

[PoorOwner]

I have the 48 pcs thread restore kit already, great since it restore up to 14mm, it looks very good.

I found the contents of the 39 pro tap die kit goes up to 12.

Professional 39 Pc. High-Speed Metric Steel Tap and Die Set
• High-Speed steel last longer than carbon steel and withstands heat longer so taps and dies stay sharper
Tap and Die Sizes:
BSP Pipe Thread
Accessories:

3 x .50 6 x 1.00 10 x 1.25 1/8 x 28 Die Stock
3 x .60 7 x 1.00 10 x 1.50 T-handle Tap Wrench
4 x .70 8 x 1.00 11 x 1.50 Tap, Reamer Wrench
4 x .75 9 x 1.00 12 x 1.50 Thread Gauge
5 x .80 9 x 1.25 12 x 1.75 Screwdriver
5 x .90 Molded Case

So for $109 on sale now, made in USA is it any good? Although for car work I have only seen M10 and M12 being used so maybe I just should buy inidividuals.

There are so many tap and die kits from sears I am confused. I only need metric
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/search_10153_12605?keyword=tap+and+die

 

[Benchloader]

There is componet list on page 81 of the tool catalog; http://s7.sears.com/s7ondemand/brochure/flash_brochure.jsp?company=Sears&sku=Tools_Spring_2008&isr=http://s7.sears.com&ww=945&wh=770

 

[wrenchr]

Hanson makes these for them same as snap on.

 

[wrenchr]

Or kastar?????????????????????????????

 

[krusty the clown]

they look more like vermont american to me.

 

[wrenchr]

they look more like vermont american to me.

But the same company makes them for snappy??

 

[krusty the clown]

here's the bp set. looks like hanson (they are)

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=1166&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

here's the VA set

http://www.vermontamerican.com/Products/productdetail.htm?G=191558&GRP=191558&I=72518

notice the difference in the die stocks and tap handles. i have the VA metric set and while they aren't as shiney as the hanson's they are good quality.

 

[Stuey]

The VA set is described as having "high carbon steel" as does the Hanson/Irwin 41 piece set. The Craftsman one in question is described as being "high speed steel" which generally costs a bit than the "high carbon" version. The catalog price for the sets is $180 vs. $100 for the "high carbon" version.

If the BP set is made by Hanson, that's a ridiculous markup of 90-100%.

Does the type of steel really make a difference for thread restoring? I really wouldn't recommend a set like this for thread forming since it doesn't include the appropriate wire gauge bits, and it seems to only have plug taps.

 

[alkemyst]

You could also do as I do and just purchase what you need separately. It gives you more freedom in selecting the sizes, material, and styles.

That's a good way to do it once you have the basics covered or can plan your jobs (much like drill bits...in a set I may use 20% of the sizes I buy). Most of the time when you find out you need a tap or die is in the middle of a job though.

I picked up an 80 piece set of SAE/METRIC from harbor freight to get my 'basics' covered. I have used them a few times and they have cut properly. I don't think they will last as long as a professional set, but I am not having to cut new threads more than once every few months.

I'd love to drop a grand on a full set of them...but their are a lot more practical tools I can pick up first.

 

[Uncle Buck]

I have had a 41 piece standard tap & die carbon steel set since the late 1970's in all those years and all the use between me and my dad I think 1 tap and 1 die got broken and were replaced with the same. My set performs as good today as when I got it in the 70's! Through the years I added the standard upgrade set sears offers that extended my size range to 3/4" standard.

I have also added the 58pc metric equivalent in carbon steel and I have nothing but good words for the Crafty carbon steel sets. As long as you know how to properly use taps and dies (and not abuse as so many unknowingly do!) the carbon sets should do just fine for you.

 

[Danglerb]

I bought the 48 pc restore kit, and plan to just keep my eye out for a good used set of tap and dies cheap.

 

[Fedwrench]

Compare the sizes that come in the Craftsman kit with what size fasteners you work on. At least in the metric range the Irwin/Hanson set contains more sizes that you will actually use. The price may seem good but, if the pieces only gather dust, you're not getting that good of a deal. The Craftsman lifetime warraanty doesn't appy to taps or drill bits.

 

[ratchet_gear]

Is this just a price that will be found in stores? Because I do not see anything that cheap online.

 

[Stuey]

Is this just a price that will be found in stores? Because I do not see anything that cheap online.

http://craftsman.com/clubdeals/

 

[ratchet_gear]

http://craftsman.com/clubdeals/

Thanks Stuey.
Now the question is what is the real price? In the link you posted it says regular price is $149.99 and in the link that the original poster has it says $184.99. I wonder if I order it will sears cancel the order and say pricing error because it is supposed to be $145 instead of $109.

 

[Ign]

I have a much older Craftsman set which was given to me by a family member.

The taps are not center drilled for a spring loaded tap guide. Very annoying IMO.

This may no longer be true, but it's something I'd look for.

 

[Stuey]

Thanks Stuey.
Now the question is what is the real price? In the link you posted it says regular price is $149.99 and in the link that the original poster has it says $184.99. I wonder if I order it will sears cancel the order and say pricing error because it is supposed to be $145 instead of $109.

I think that maybe $145 is the sale price? If that's the set you want, then $110 is a pretty good buy. If you're able to get it for $110 in your cart (don't forget that you need a Craftsman Club membership) then there is very little risk of it being cancelled as a price mistake.

 

[PoorOwner]

Well I guess I am not getting it because the only ones might be useful to me is the M10 and the M12. When I needed threads I have been welding a nut on with good results