Recommended Tap and Die Sets?

[danwolfgang]

Any recommendations for a tap and die set? The first thing I did was try searching here, but "tap and die" doesn't find any results -- I'm guessing the three-letter words are to short to search with? Anyway, recommendations? I need something general purpose -- homeowner and light automotive tasks, metric and SAE. What would you recommend, and why?

 

[HaroRider]

I would say don't go cheap, I went for an Irwin set.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=304812

 

[Ponchoguy]

Any recommendations for a tap and die set? The first thing I did was try searching here, but "tap and die" doesn't find any results -- I'm guessing the three-letter words are to short to search with? Anyway, recommendations? I need something general purpose -- homeowner and light automotive tasks, metric and SAE. What would you recommend, and why?

I have a USA made Craftsman set. They are made by Vermont American. Reasonably priced and get the job done.

 

[danwolfgang]

Some reading leads me to believe I want a thread restorer kit instead. Hmm...

 

[Ponchoguy]

Some reading leads me to believe I want a thread restorer kit instead. Hmm...

I have the Cman set, which Kastar makes for them. Very nice.

 

[liam.fenemore]

Mastercraft Maximum does the job for me, not sure if you're in Canada though.

 

[Tiny Jackson]

The gearwrench set I hear is pretty good.

 

[RedneckWelder]

Irwin is the minimum quality level I recommend.

 

[zakmartin]

I have a complete Greenfield set that I bought at a Coast Guard surplus auction back in the early-1990s. It's well over 100 pieces in metric and standard. It came with the foam insert but was missing the metal case. The whole thing set me back less than $20. They're still in basically mint condition. Every time I think about putting them up for sale, I think about how much they'd cost to re-purchase if I ever decided to start a manufacturing business.

 

[PSD_Ryan]

When i was working in the oilfield, I bought the big NAPA set. It served me pretty well. I always fill the grooves of my taps with grease before using them.

 

[CJM8515]

Laugh if you want, but the 40pc harbor freight sets have worked fine for me. The handle sucked so I bought a new one, but other than that Im happy. But I dont use them to work on anything more than hobbyist stuff. Cut some threads on bolts, tap some minor holes, that sorta thing.

 

[JJThrasher]

https://store.snapon.com/U-S-Metric-Combination-Set-76pc-Combination-Tap-and-Die-Set-P644739.aspx

This is my set at work and I also have the restoring kit.

https://store.snapon.com/U-S-Metric...ster-Rethreading-Tap-and-Die-Set-P641094.aspx

They hold up well and work pretty good for automotive use. For home use I usually pop by the local Menards and pick up Vermont American as needed.

 

[ibedayank]

greenfeild... Hanson

Ebay is your friend

 

[Cato]

Do you really need a whole set?

I get by fine with a small DeWalt set I got.

I regret not just buying the dies and taps I need one at a time instead of having one's I'll probably never use.

 

[pauls_workshop]

I've had the plain jane HF set for awhile and can only complain a little. Now, not the cheapest, but the middle priced set. The die holder tool is terrible, but the taps/dies are OK if you know how to use them (cutting fluid, 1/4 turn, back out, repeat). Yes I know a good US made set is much better. But if you only use them once a month, the HF middle set isn't terrible. Pros need much better. - Paul

 

[WhiskeyRanger]

Do you really need a whole set?

I get by fine with a small DeWalt set I got.

I regret not just buying the dies and taps I need one at a time instead of having one's I'll probably never use.

I like having whole sets at home. At work, I just have A small Bosch set (1/4-20 through 6-32) that has just the taps and tap drills in a case.

Having sets has two benefits, everything stays organized, and you (should ) have the right tool before you need it. Very rarely do I start a project knowing ahead of time I'm going to need to tap something (except at work obviously) and its usually after the store is closed.

Of course, you could always compromise and buy a cheap HF set and replace the commonly used ones with better quality items as needed.

 

[RickP]

Before you decide, you should really try out the Gearwrench ratcheting handles, which work with both taps and dies. I picked up the larger model to work with large diameter hex dies (1/2" pipe thread), but now I wish I'd gotten the entire Gearwrench tap & die set.

The quality of the Gearwrench handle is just ridiculously good, and the heft of it is amazing compared to using the cheap HF stuff. And the handles also work with pass-thru sockets, if you ever want to try those. The Gearwrench set isn't cheap compared to HF, but I think it compares pretty well to the other quality brands - $140 for a 75 piece metric/SAE set.

 

[LumpyMusic]

Do you really need a whole set?

I get by fine with a small DeWalt set I got.

I regret not just buying the dies and taps I need one at a time instead of having one's I'll probably never use.

^^^ This.

I use about four sizes of fasteners in my shop. Any time I add a new size I buy a set of Irwin or better PTB taps and two dies. That costs me maybe 20-30 dollars. To buy a "set" of the same for every size #6 through whatever, would cost hundreds of dollars. And I'd have dozens of sizes I don't or won't ever need.

Put another way, for roughly 100 bucks, I've got taps and dies, good quality, for all the sizes of fasteners I use, for any flavor of tapping (Plug, Taper, Bottom). Much better quality and longer lasting tools than if I were to spend that same 100 bucks on a set of every size in the world.


Sgt Lumpy

 

[oldtools]

For home use, Irwin, Hanson, and Vermont America. For industrial use, Morse, Greenfield, OSG, and Cleveland.

 

[CobraRed]

Before you decide, you should really try out the Gearwrench ratcheting handles, which work with both taps and dies. I picked up the larger model to work with large diameter hex dies (1/2" pipe thread), but now I wish I'd gotten the entire Gearwrench tap & die set.

The quality of the Gearwrench handle is just ridiculously good, and the heft of it is amazing compared to using the cheap HF stuff. And the handles also work with pass-thru sockets, if you ever want to try those. The Gearwrench set isn't cheap compared to HF, but I think it compares pretty well to the other quality brands - $140 for a 75 piece metric/SAE set.

Handle is great, taps are carbon steel which on a 3-4 level scale of choices is at the bottom.

 

[theoldwizard1]

The older Craftsman set (>25yo) are really pretty good ! Mine came in a big blue molded case.

 

[RickP]

Handle is great, taps are carbon steel which on a 3-4 level scale of choices is at the bottom.

Gotcha -- thanks for the info.

I didn't know anything about the GearWrench taps, so I'll steer clear of them. I agree that the handle is great, and I've used it for taps, dies, and sockets.

 

[RickP]

The older Craftsman set (>25yo) are really pretty good ! Mine came in a big blue molded case.

I have one of the really old sets (>65yo) and they are great quality -- very heavy duty with fully adjustable dies threads. The only problem is finding parts for them.

This is my set, complete with the original wooden box from 1948:
View media item 55430
You can still find them on fleabay every now and then.

 

[zeke67]

I have stuff from Irwin, Hanson and Vermont American. Mostly the first two. Also some Kastar stuff which is good.

 

[TNToy]

For home use, Irwin, Hanson, and Vermont America. For industrial use, Morse, Greenfield, OSG, and Cleveland.

This. I have the large Irwin set at home. It's good enough there.

When I break something off flush in a cylinder head in a dozer at work, the machine shop crew shows up with something out of the latter category (usually Greenfield or Cleveland) and does the job.

 

[Tiny Jackson]

I have a complete Greenfield set that I bought at a Coast Guard surplus auction back in the early-1990s. It's well over 100 pieces in metric and standard. It came with the foam insert but was missing the metal case. The whole thing set me back less than $20. They're still in basically mint condition. Every time I think about putting them up for sale, I think about how much they'd cost to re-purchase if I ever decided to start a manufacturing business.

Exsctly. Just one single greenfield hss tap 1/4 or above is above 20 bucks if you bouggt it new. I have an assortment 9f greenfield, osg etc. That were all aquired in singles whether new or used.

 

[Amish]

I have snapon tap sets. When I break one I just give it to my SnapOn guy and he hands me a brand new one. I picked up my sets on eBay and got great deals on them. I didn't pay anything what they ask for a new set.

 

[justanengineer]

Some reading leads me to believe I want a thread restorer kit instead. Hmm...

Just say no.

 

[RedneckWelder]

Exsctly. Just one single greenfield hss tap 1/4 or above is above 20 bucks if you bouggt it new. I have an assortment 9f greenfield, osg etc. That were all aquired in singles whether new or used.

I buy most of my taps used if I can get them ahead of time...big taps, US made, HSS, are pretty damn reasonable on Ebay.