I have a kastar thread chasing kit I bought that would cover list thread repairs but it doesn't have anything too small. I'm looking into buying a set of smaller tap and dies now. My first thought was to buy a cheap set and just replace the individual pieces as needed with stuff I can buy from the hardware store. They wont be used often so I was thinking American Vermont or Hansen. What do you think?
recommend tap and dies?
- Thread starter monster1
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fflintstone
Well-known member
some Hansen is USA made all new American Vermont is not.
greasemonkey44
Well-known member
i bought set of a hansens; they are very nice and us made
woody 73
Well-known member
Monster if you get the chance keep your eyes open on cl for a used craftsman set (older sets are made in the USA) and they are very nice sets.
Hammer1963
Well-known member
Its hard to go wrong with a Hansen set. Another good choice is to ask any Tool & Die or Machinist you may know, to look for Greenfield or Sossner pieces
I had a USA made craftsman set years ago that I sold because I needed to pay rent. I. Kick myself now for ever letting it go! I was looking on tooltopias website and they got a nice set of Hansen's for under two hundred. May have to buy another "what tools"! 
JASTECH
Well-known member
+1 Greenfield, they are worth the money.
EvilWelder
Well-known member
Anything USA, Greenfield are nice, Hanson, old VA.
Taps and Dies made out of HSS are the best. Only problem is new they cost a small fortune. You can look on the used market but for the most part older metric sets are rare and can still go for a pretty decent chunk of change depending on how complete they are. Irwin/Hansen are more affordable and are the sets rebranded by Snap-On, MAC, Matco, Cornwell etc.. Those are fine for a weekend warrior or repair shop but require a little more care to prevent premature wear and breakages.
EvilWelder
Well-known member
I just sold one last week, if your interested I may have another hanging around.
Shadowdog500
Well-known member
The older sets of craftman are good, the new ones are made in china and even look cheap.
I'm in the same boat. I have a large crafstman SAE set From years ago, but want to get the matching metric set since it seems like I need metric all the time now. I'm not liking what I'm finding in stores. I may piece together a complete set using Irwin.
Chris
I'm in the same boat. I have a large crafstman SAE set From years ago, but want to get the matching metric set since it seems like I need metric all the time now. I'm not liking what I'm finding in stores. I may piece together a complete set using Irwin.
Chris
Thanks for the offer but being expendable tools, I want new. If the truck brands put their name on the Irwin Hanson brands then they will work well for me. Tooltopia has a nice set.