To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Craftsman Tap and Die Sets

JMartel

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 4, 2009
Messages
1,403
Location
Seattle, WA
Are they any good? I need a basic set since I had to drill a larger hole and it needs re-tapped. Just looking at a basic set, and Sears & Ace are on the way home from work. Plus I figured I should have one around anyways.

I searched, but for some reason it kept showing 0 results.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Buckgnarly

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 8, 2010
Messages
7,653
Location
VT
I have the old huge US made set, and it's great. The newer ones are China, so buy with caution if that matters to you.
 

woody 73

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 14, 2009
Messages
11,546
Location
The Great State Up North
I am in the same boat I have a old set that I bought in 1977 and today all the sets are made in China. At one time they had a good warranty; but I am not sure if that is the case today? Before you buy a set I would find out if sears will have some kind of warranty,if not maybe a Hanson set might work for you; but then again not sure if they are made in the States anymore.
 

Matt018

Well-known member
Joined
May 17, 2011
Messages
718
Its funny that all of our stories are the same, I have my dads old small standard set from the 70's and its always been good but i have no idea about the new sets.
 

Slowboat

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 5, 2010
Messages
607
Location
Green Mountains
I was in Sears the other day, and the new sets looked really cheap, compared to a set I got just a couple of years ago - Particularly the tap and die wrenches. I might search Amazon to see if you can find any good deals on Irwin or the like.
 

filtered

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 25, 2010
Messages
811
Location
Berks Co. PA
This is the only tap and die set Sears sells that is worth a damn.

It is high speed steel COO is USA, the rest are carbon steel from who knows where

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00952305000P?prdNo=31

I got lucky and pick this set up barely used on CL for $40. The handles seem on the cheap side to me, but the taps and dies are all pretty nice.

If you do buy a Craftsman set check to see if they have older USA made sets in stock.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

tjmonsen5

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 14, 2009
Messages
1,341
Location
Crystal Lake IL
My craftsman set is about 3 years old, not sure if its USA or China, but it has always worked for me. I Cut a alot of aluminum, which isnt exactly too hard on taps and dies.
 

bobcatdan

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 4, 2011
Messages
9,948
Location
Kaukauna,WI
I have the 70 some piece set I bought for home about 7 years ago. USA made. I think these are made by Vermont American. It is not a bad set, very complete, but the taps do break easier then my SO set (which a lot of guys here say is junk too). Cutting tools do not have warranty. New stuff is all china, I won't buy it. I was going to buy the two add on sets for the larger sizes, but not any more, I don't need a 3/4" tap at home when I have a Hanson one at work. If you want a set, look at Irwin. All the trucks rebrand them and I think they are still USA, even though Irwin has basterized every brand they buy (vise grip).
 

brtsvg

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 13, 2011
Messages
131
I looked at the Craftsman tap and die sets last year, they were all Chinese, and I was very disappointed and not going there. Instead I got a Hansen/Irwin 41 pc set for a little more, around $ 100 via internet, but all USA made. I am very satisfied with this set, would recommend it.
 
OP
J

JMartel

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 4, 2009
Messages
1,403
Location
Seattle, WA
I ended up swinging by Home Depot instead and bought an Irwin wrench and the tap size I needed. I'll save up a bit more for a good set later on when I need them more.
 

FergusonTO35

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 6, 2011
Messages
276
Location
Winchester, KY
I paid $199.00 for my Matco 76 piece set a few years ago. At the time, the same Craftsman set was $179.00. Craftsman has flip flopped a few times about whether they will warranty taps and dies so I bought the Matco because they've always given me outstanding warranty service.
 

TireTracks

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 11, 2009
Messages
2,397
Location
Yakima,Washington.
All of the ones in the sears I go to, are Chinese.

Anyone know of any USA made ones Around? I was going to buy a Craftsman set, But i'm not going to pay $$$ for chinese taps and dies.
 

WR250F

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 28, 2011
Messages
481
I got lucky and pick this set up barely used on CL for $40. The handles seem on the cheap side to me, but the taps and dies are all pretty nice.

If you do buy a Craftsman set check to see if they have older USA made sets in stock.

The handles aren't too bad on the set I have, but I use Lisle tap sockets to drive them, so the handles with the set don't see much use.

Lisle tap sockets are the bomb
 

FergusonTO35

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 6, 2011
Messages
276
Location
Winchester, KY
Matco puts their T&D sets on sale all the time. If you know a dealer he could probably make you a good deal. Taps and dies are something you don't want to go cheap on.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom