Even a lot of brand names have went overseas. I'll give you a tip on taps though......for almost everything I do, I use a 2-flute gun tap. When you get up to 3/8" the taps will jump up to a three flute. I've had better luck with a 2 or 3 flute over any other tap. When you start getting into the High Helix taps, they have their place. A four flute, especially in a small tap, I'd throw everyone in the trash. A four flute has got so many people into trouble with snapped taps that it is ridiculous. that's how I learned to remove broken taps was by working on them.
Also when it comes to a bottom tap, first tap your hole with a 2 flute gun tap, then go back in with a bottom tap. Never try to tap a complete hole with a bottom tap or it will bind and snap.
Order yourself up a few catalogs.......Travers, Enco, Grainger, Penn Tool, MSC Industrial. The Catalogs are free, and most carry two brands.....a US made brand, and an offshore brand. But a lot of offshore brands work fantastic. I've had good luck with some China brands, and I've had some ****** luck with US brands, then visa versa.
Materials play a lot in what you are doing. With button dies I would rather single point on the lathe over using a button die, but not everyone has that luxury. For a button die, look for a brand name. There are button dies made in Germany that are excellent, some made in Sweden that are good. I have some Greenfield button dies that are great also. Also, if I run across a die that doesn't cut aluminum at least, I keep those dies separate from my good dies, and only use them to clean up trashed threads. NEVER try to clean up an internal thread with a dull tap though. Toss and dull tap in the trash.
Check out Greenfields site. They carry brand names, and IIRC, Greenfield either bought, or is a branch of Vermont Tap & Die. You won't go wrong with them
http://www.gfii.com/
