Need help with tap and die set and rethreading set

[muskaman67]

Hey guys, I'm looking into purchasing either a tap and die set or a rethreading set. I need some help with knowing exactly what each is for or if they can be interchanged. I know the tap set is so if you make a hole u can put threads into it. But the rethreading set is for what? Just fixing threads that are damaged? All i basically need it for is fixing existing holes and threads if i come upon them. I'm a technician for Toyota so i don't know how much i will be using either the tap set or the rethreading set. And obviously it will have to be metric. What would you guys pick? Thanks.

 

[Red Green]

The rethreading set is for fixing damaged treads. It also works good for cleaning treads that have rust and scale or other dirt.

 

[muskaman67]

Would a rethreading set be more useful for me in my case or should i get the tap set?

 

[Red Green]

I would say that you want the retreading kit.

 

[muskaman67]

ok thank you. Any companies better then others? or is snap on my best bet?

 

[scott37300]

Tap and die sets are for making new threads, you can use them for cleaning existing threads but they can "cut" a little to much and weaken the threads.

Rethreading sets are for cleaning and fixing existing threads, will not cut new threads.

 

[Red Green]

ok thank you. Any companies better then others? or is snap on my best bet?

I have the Snap-on set but I think that the C-man and Snap-on are the same just rebranded. Someone here will know the original manufacture.

 

[marcusicp]

ok thank you. Any companies better then others? or is snap on my best bet?

The Snap-On sets are made by Kastar. Kastar Set I use one at work and have nothing bad to say about it.

 

[MattT]

I use regular taps and rethreading nuts. I use the cutting capability of taps but never need to cut male threads. I also have a set of tap sockets though. If you don't have or plan to buy those you'll find rethreading taps easier to use in tight spots.

 

[Homoudont]

I have the craftsman rethreading set and it is indeed the same as snap-on. I only work on my own vehicles as a DIYer and use it to clean up threads when working on rusty nuts bolts.

 

[scott37300]

The craftsman set is a 40 peice and the snap on set is 48 peices. Might be made by the same company but from what I saw they are different sets. And the craftsman one is 50 bucks and the kastar one that is the same as snap on is 53 bucks. I would go with the kastar one from tooltopia.