Craftsman Tap and Die Set options

[Rocky Rotella]

Tried the search function and found the topic too difficult to narrow down so I had to start a new thread.

I'm looking for a quality tap and die set that's reasonably priced and sufficient enough typical home-garage use. I'm talking about occasionally chasing the threads in a block and cleaning the thread on original bolts.

I've looked at what Sears offers and I don't know if the basic kit is good enough http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_00952382000P

Or is the Professional series is better overall. http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_00952384000P

Any comments on either of these sets? Or would you suggest another?

Thanks!

 

[the spyder]

I am curious too, seeing as I need to buy a new set myself. I have been tempted to buy a snap on used set off ebay.

 

[Mickey O]

You can usually pick them up used (usually new) quite reasonably at garage/estate/flea market sales. Depending on what sizes you use you might be better off just picking up the taps and dies that you need you can find those cheap at the places mentioned above.

The older Craftsman sets were made by Ace and Hanson (don't know abut the new ones), the were good quality, but any tap can easily be broken.

 

[Mike83]

Beware the new sets that are made in China. The higher end might still be US but I'm not sure.

 

[ATTappman]

If you just want to occasionally clean threads, Sears sells a thread restorer kit that might work better than a tap-and-die set. They have a 40 pc kit for $50 and a bigger one (49 pcs maybe?) for $70 I think. I've been waiting until they put the 40 pc kit on sale.

 

[DHCrocks]

I'm looking for a quality tap and die set that's reasonably priced and sufficient enough typical home-garage use. I'm talking about occasionally chasing the threads in a block and cleaning the thread on original bolts.

for that use I'd recommend this set instead

http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_00942275000P?vName=Tools+%26+Equipment&cName=Hand+Tools&sName=Mechanic+Tools

 

[Rocky Rotella]

for that use I'd recommend this set instead

http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_00942275000P?vName=Tools+%26+Equipment&cName=Hand+Tools&sName=Mechanic+Tools

Thanks for the link!

Have you used this particular kit? Does the quality seem good?

 

[Benw455]

I have an older set made in the USA. Check pawn shops.

 

[cruiser808]

Thanks for the link!

Have you used this particular kit? Does the quality seem good?

Yes, they are good quality. I used mine this past weekend to restore the threads on a puller. Worked great.

 

[MAD]

Thanks for the link!

Have you used this particular kit? Does the quality seem good?

Yes, the re-threading set is top quality. They are exactly the same as the ones sold by Snap-on, etc... They are all made by Kastar / A&E.

 

[DHCrocks]

Thanks for the link!

Have you used this particular kit? Does the quality seem good?

I have the 40pc set, that came out before the 49pc set but it has saved my *** numerous times. Get some cutting oil with it and it'll last a long time. It's well made and has held up well.

 

[Rocky Rotella]

Thanks for the replies guys. If anyone has anything to add, please do!

 

[Joe Mamma]

for that use I'd recommend this set instead

http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_00942275000P?vName=Tools+%26+Equipment&cName=Hand+Tools&sName=Mechanic+Tools

Same thing but cheaper here:

http://www.tooltopia.com/kastar-hand-tools-971.aspx

I got a set recently when Tooltopia had one of their free shipping promotions. Free shipping and no tax, you can't beat that!

Joe Mamma

 

[Griff93]

I got the biggest cobalt tap set craftsman offered at the time. I've been pleased with it. I managed to break a 5/16-18 tap but that wasn't the tap's fault. They have done very well cutting threads in steel. I really try to use a taper tap to start instead of a plug tap in stuff that is very hard. This allows the threads to be cut over 6 or 7 threads instead of 3 to 4 you get with a plug tap. The ideal thing would be to have a full set of taper, plug, and bottoming taps. Don't forget to look at places like Enco, KBC, and MSC for this kind of thing. Sometimes they have the same sets that aren't priced as high.