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Tap and die set recommendations?

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BigRed390

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The search function is not my friend today. It isn't returning anything.

Anyway, anybody got any thoughts concerning a good tap and die set? I'm a hobbiest, not a machinist, but I don't want ****. I'm not opposed to low priced stuff, just don't want bad quality. :D

Any horror stories about a set you've got? Anything I should look for or look out for?

Thanks in advance.

-Red
 
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Bolster

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I'll be watching the thread for recommendations, too. A year ago, there were still Cman made-in-usa sets floating around, but Cman T&D are now offshore and I've not seen newer Cman sets recommended anymore. I have seen numerous cautions against HF sets, I get the idea they're pretty bad, useful for thread chasing maybe. But I don't know what the new "bang for the buck" sets are.

Gearwrench may be an upscale Chinese option...
 
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wafrederick

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I have seen some good taps and dies that are made in Japan made for Carquest.Do not go cheap for a tap and Die set,cheaper is not always better.I like the hex dies better,you can use a socket on them.There are rethreading sets out there and do not use them to cut new threads.I have a Craftsman set that is made in USA,had the tap handle replaced under warranty once.The taps and dies are not covered since they are cutting tools
 
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scarrylarry

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Enlighten me please!When you say chase threads does that mean you are just going over an exisiting bolt thread or nut thread to clean it up a bit.Do you use a die for that?Do you use a die to cut new threads on plain rod?What about a tap,is that to clean exisiting threads in holes for bolts or to cut new ones?
Many Thanks
Lawrence
 
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JASTECH

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I have the large MAC set from a few years ago, some have surface rust to clean after shipping it here. I had a set that came in wooden box from Grainger that are good "CL? can't remember other letter.

Thanks, JASTECH
 
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MattT

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scarrylarry said:
Enlighten me please!When you say chase threads does that mean you are just going over an exisiting bolt thread or nut thread to clean it up a bit.Do you use a die for that?Do you use a die to cut new threads on plain rod?What about a tap,is that to clean exisiting threads in holes for bolts or to cut new ones?
Many Thanks
Lawrence
Click to expand...

Regular taps and dies can chase, AKA clean up, existing threads, cut new ones, and extend existing threads. Rethreading taps and dies can only clean up existing threads.

Regards dies your chances of starting a new thread on plain rod without a lathe are slim.
 
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00S4Boy

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Billymade is right, Every kit the truck carries is Irwin/Hanson. The only reason to spend the extra money for truck brand labeled is, ease of warranty. Instead of having to go to where you bought it and possibly getting hassled about warranty, truck comes to you, and most decent dealers will order the exact part you need and have it to you in a week or two.
 
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Stick Figure

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90% of what i have for tap and dies are "used". Keep an eye on craigslist for machinists that have retired, or worse. You can often get a GOOD selection of high quality tap and die sets for a small percentage of what they would cost from a retailer. Most of the time they had many extras that were never even used. As far as new, my favorite has been the greenfield, but wouldn't hesitate to buy more Irwin pieces.

while we are on the subject, how are the Hout index boxes? I'm going to be putting together a set of of machine screw size taps for my dad, and was thinking about picking up one.
 
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Bruce Lancaster

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Little Giant also makes a line of dies that are in two pieces and fit a special stock...they can be opened up to go over something like a stud or axle end that is FUBAR and work back toward the damaged end. The adjustment has a mark to indicate standard size so you don't whittle down a part too far. These, though expensive, are not prohibitive and are lifesavers when needed.
 
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Packard V8

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Glad to see a couple here recognize GTD quality. Once you use the adjustable Little Giant set, all the Snap-on, Mac, Irwin, Vermont, Hanson Ace, will seem like toys.

The Little Giant is expensive to buy new, but they show up on eBay, craigslist and yard/estate sales occasionally. The new sets are in a tin box, but the classics come in a fitted wooden case. http://www.danco-inc.com/jpegs_for_danco/littlegiant_dieset.jpg
littlegiant_dieset.jpg
The set pictured has separate holders for each size. There is also a less expensive set which has two holders and dies are inserted as needed.

jack vines
 
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Skyline

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Packard...that's good advice. I think reasonablly priced tap/die sets that are decent quality are basically GONE from the markiet. I have a bunch of the Irwin/Hanson sets, (Snap-on, Matco, and MAC) and they are ****. I've had more problems with the taps than the dies though. My 20+ year old Craftsman sets blow them away in terms of strength and quality.

If I needed a set now, and was willing to look at used sets, I'd look for some of the older Craftsman sets. And if a tap gets broken or is missing, replace it with Greenfield. The new Craftsman stuff is no better than the Irwin/Hanson/Matco/MAC/Snap-on.

I also have quite a few loose, (mostly high quality) taps, and some dies. I always try to see if I have the right one for the job before opening a set. My next line of defense is one of the Snap-on sets. If I break that...then I go to the old Craftsman. My goal is to try to keep my Craftsman set complete...so I always have the correct tap on hand. If I break a loose tap, no big deal. If I break a truck brand tap, it is easly replaced with another medium-poor quality tap. If I break one of my old Craftsman's...that's means mail ordering a tap from MSC. No matter how carefull you are, you will break taps once in a while....especially with the **** they're selling these days.

Also, on another note, most of the newer, rebranded Irwin/Hanson taps and dies are no longer engraved. They are just printed with the size. So after using a couple of times, good luck reading the size/pitch. Now THAT *****.
 
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Bruce Lancaster

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I try, not always successfully, to have a nut and bolt that match the size with each tap and die I have. That helps in quickly verifying size of bolts and nuts encountered.
My set is mostly used, some new. I'm in a middle class area with few nearby sources of hardware more sophisticated than Home Depot, and use MSC industrial supply often. In most stuff, they have USA and imported choices so you can choose your poison, and they are good for all the really strange threads I encounter on old Fords.
Cheapo stuff can be seious trouble...any dimensional problems in the tap or die get carved right out of your hardware and translate directly into slop and weak connections.
 
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Quint

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Youngstown, OH
I bought the HF Metric set. For $12 it was worth a shot.

I, however, will ONLY be chasing threads with it. My old Hondas have some crusty bolts.
 
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mrholeshot

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I've always likes the Hanson Ace sets. I have the big MAC set but would trade it in a minute for the hanson/ace
 
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Keep

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Try not to buy a cheap tap set, there is nothing more frustrating then snapping a tap off while trying to fix/make/clean a hole. Huge PITA trying to drill them out.
 
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fr0mastaj

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JayL said:
Anybody have this set and know the COO?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002M78R68/?tag=atomicindus08-20

tks
Click to expand...

Ive had that exact kit in my Amazon wishlist for some time now... I recall another GJ member saying it went down to $75 at one point. Waiting for that to happen again!

I would also like some more info on that set if anyone can chime in.

I currently have the cheapo HF set and like others said, its really only good for chasing something (and mediocre at that). Of the few new threads ive made, they bolts dont secure tightly, theres a bit of a wobbly feeling to it..
________
STARCRAFT2REPLAYS.COM
 
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Juan A

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I have both Matco 6312 & 606td sets. One does Metric and the other Standard, Both sets are Made in the USA
 
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rayzor32

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Buffalo, NY
hansen.. they make taps and dies for snap on. I bought the HF set for 10 bucks to hold me over, i might as well throw it in the trash, the taps just strip right out after one use.
 
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Bolster

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BigRed390 said:
The search function is not my friend today. It isn't returning anything.
Click to expand...

I was searching for this very thread today, using "tap die" and "tap set" and "tap" and could not find it. Search engine must hate the concept of taps and dies.
 
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Skin

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Unless i'm mistaken Irwin is all imported now. I was playing with a brand new display of Irwin bits, taps, and dies last week and all of them are from China. Vermont American is owned by Bosch and hasnt been "American" in awhile.

Any of this would be fine for the home do-it-yourselfer though. The quality is fine. For the professional field though, seek out something else. If you dont mind paying more for sets made here regardless of better or worse quality check out your local sears. A lot of expensive stuff like that usually rots on the shelves for a long time so you'll probably encounter some new old stock.
 
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