Craftsman tap and die set

[biscuit141]

I know it's China which ***** but it is half off at my local store and I have been looking for a decent metric set for some time. Are there any coupons out there I can use in store?

http://m.sears.com/keyword.do?vName=&vertName=&autofillFilter=&keyword=952344&value1=search

 

[biscuit141]

Not many views. Any advice? May stop on the way home in case the price was an error. The online price is much higher.

 

[liliysdad]

I have a cheapo Chines tap and die set, Grip or something. I picked it up on a whim. I have been using it for years, and it works pretty good for what it is. I buy good US taps and Dies for the stuff I use often, but for chasing threads, cutting in aluminum and mild steel, etc, the cheap stuff works fine. I would imagine the Craftsman would be just fine for occasional use.

 

[Gary S]

Do you have any used tool dealers in your area? Last year I picked up a new-unused Craftsman 1980s tap and die set at a local shop that sells used tools. Mine was SAE, and I paid about what your link is asking for new Chinese tools. Mine is an old USA made set.

 

[Givl Reggin]

The Hanson sets are USA made - True Value or Ace Hardware usually carries them.

 

[SiGmA_X]

I have that set. My girlfriend bought it for me a few years ago. I was going to return it (I actually did, and applied a discount code and re bought it and some other stuff too) and buy a USA made kit. I couldn't find anything close to the same price that was USA made. The quality of the taps and dies is less than ideal, but it works just fine for my light use. I wish it was cut to tighter tolerances tho.

 

[Skyline]

Do yourself a favor, and find an old Craftsman set on eBay. The ones in the light grey boxes. Good quality USA made taps and dies. If you break one, replace it with a Greenfield or other quality American made tap. Stay away from Chinese made taps and dies. I'd also stay away from any of the current truck brand tap and die sets. I'm pretty sure most of these are private labeled Hanson, and they are not too great.

 

[biscuit141]

OK, well I bought the set because it was $43, which was half off. I had a $5 off $25 coupon, so I ended up getting the set for $40 out the door. It seems like a very complete set for the price, but I cannot speak to the tolerances. The main benefit is that I have store credit to use, so this really cost me nothing out of pocket. About a year ago I was able to find an old USA-made Montgomery Ward SAE set for $25 at a pawn shop complete. I have been keeping an eye out for a good size metric USA set for a long time with no luck. Either the sets are foreign, or the set is fairly small. Here is the Montgomery Ward set. Can anyone point me to a good old USA set for sale? I can always return this one if the deal is right.

 

[vssjim]

Keep looking at Ebay as from time to time good deals on US tap sets come up. I just wish sears had not gone to the dark side in the long run it will be the end of them.

 

[Modifieddriver]

OK, well I bought the set because it was $43, which was half off. I had a $5 off $25 coupon, so I ended up getting the set for $40 out the door. It seems like a very complete set for the price, but I cannot speak to the tolerances. The main benefit is that I have store credit to use, so this really cost me nothing out of pocket. About a year ago I was able to find an old USA-made Montgomery Ward SAE set for $25 at a pawn shop complete. I have been keeping an eye out for a good size metric USA set for a long time with no luck. Either the sets are foreign, or the set is fairly small. Here is the Montgomery Ward set. Can anyone point me to a good old USA set for sale? I can always return this one if the deal is right.

Nice set for the $money$.

Ward's stuff back years ago was good stuff. I always liked it better than Sears.

 

[fivespdcat]

I bought a NOS Magna set off eBay a few months back for $50 they were the OEM for craftsman which I know because there was an extra tap in there with the craftsman name on it. Nice set and was rather large, maybe a 40 piece. If you can find another one I would go for it. I also have a small craftsman SAE set that I bought ten years ago, made in USA. It is also a really good set. However I have no basis for an opinion on the new sets.

 

[biscuit141]

I am not a pro, this set would see occasional use at best, but it's one of those tools that when you need it, you need it. I think for the size of the set $40 new if tough to beat. I will keep it in the wrapper and keep my eyes out for awhile. I only bought today because I have never seen them that cheap before.

 

[toolewab]

Last year I picked up a new-unused Craftsman 1980s tap and die set at a local shop that sells used tools.