Tap and Die set

[GMCGarage]

Anyone recommend a good tap and die set?

Sears has this for 200

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-107-...SellerId=Sears&prdNo=3&blockNo=3&blockType=G3

 

[Stuey]

If you want to buy a set like that, Irwin/Hanson.

 

[GMCGarage]

If you want to buy a set like that, Irwin/Hanson.

this?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006WZOH06/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Rewind97]

I would really love to have this set in SAE and Metric.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001GMVA64/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Charlie51]

Not all taps and dies are created equal. I was having one heck of a time trying to thread a mild steel sleeve with a new Craftsman tap (I was wondering if the steel was hardened). Then I took out an old Greenfield tap that I had and cut the threads like it was butter.

 

[GMCGarage]

I would really love to have this set in SAE and Metric.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001GMVA64/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Looks like a good set. The Irwin looks the same, but comes with the drill bits.

 

[Falcon67]

I'm fortunate to have a good pile of older USA taps and dies, some that belonged to my grand father. I have one cheap metric set for those one shot metric deals - fair, but nothing like the "real" taps. Pay extra, it will pay back.

 

[dawgee]

Thats more of a thread repair set then to make new threads with

 

[Rewind97]

Looks like a good set. The Irwin looks the same, but comes with the drill bits.

I think the best thing about the Gearwrench set is that the t-handles ratchet.

 

[D45]

Ebay or Craigslist, buy used a get a better set, for cheaper

 

[LXCam]

Looks like a good set. The Irwin looks the same, but comes with the drill bits.

It's an excellent set, much better then what Irwin offers anymore. I bought the metric set a couple years back and the quality of the taps and dies never ceases to amaze me. No they're not top on the line, but they aren't lacking either plus the drive accessories are great! I have all kinds of tap and die sets from mid grade to big bucks and the GW blows away stuff twice it's cost. Now if you happen to come across some really NOS stock Irwin sets, I'd buy one but that's not likely.

Good luck

 

[SGKent]

the Sears Craftsman sets that were made in the 60's and 70's were top grade. I would guess the newer ones are made to less of a standard. Does Sears even own Craftsman any more? I think they sold it to Stanley, Black and Decker after years of neglect and several bankruptcies.

 

[matt_i]

I would rather get a McMaster or MSC catalog and build a set of HSS bottoming and spiral point (gun) taps. Imo the taps will be so much better quality than "sets with a case". You can also get the tap drill bits at the same time...

I don't have many dies, the GTD (widia-greenfield tap & die) high speed steel version are around $30 apiece! But I don't use many dies either...

 

[Hpozzuoli]

I have the Snap On set which I believe is the Irwin set. Very good set. Save the mark up and get blue.

 

[d.mcfarland]

I would just order the individual ones you need/want and create your own set.

 

[cliftonbros89]

I have Snap On. I've been satisfied with them. My former driver gave me a good deal on them, cuz I paid cash for the regular standard and metric set, the larger SAE set up to 1" and the larger metric set, plus he threw in a few extra accessories for me. What I liked was the warranty and the ease of the warranty. I had a tap break he warranties for me no problem. Then last year, after he quit I had a small metric tap break. Called customer service and got it warrantied with no problems.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[midwestcj]

I would really love to have this set in SAE and Metric.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001GMVA64/?tag=atomicindus08-20

i have this set. they're a great middle of the road set. They're not the best, but i'm not a machinist, i'm a hobbyist and they work really well the few times a year i use them. very sharp and the cut fresh threads easily.

 

[exmaxima1]

Sears taps are ****. They may be fine for aluminum, or chasing a rusty tapped hole, but they are too soft & dull for tapping in steel or stainless.

Try a quality USA tap and you will never buy CM again.

If I was in the market for a new set, I would look at Norseman:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Norseman...3821&wl11=online&wl12=384075624&wl13=&veh=sem

 

[d.mcfarland]

Snap On are Irwin/Hanson I believe.

 

[EOC_Jason]

That Craftsman set is junk according to a LOT of posts...

If you are wanting Craftsman, look on eBay for an OLDER set. Or look for an old Hansen Ace Super Set. I found a nice Hanset set at a pawn shop for $10! Sitting right next to a Chinese set they wanted $40 for...

 

[WILD-BILL]

I bought this set from Eastwood and so far I've been happy with it......

http://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-110-pc-sae-and-metric-tap-and-die-set.html

I figure if I ever break one I'ld just replace it with a better quality one but so far I haven't had to yet.

Not a bad deal considering all the sizes you get plus you get bottoming taps in every size as well.

 

[D45]

Again,
There are over 200 used tap and die sets on Ebay right now

Some really nice higher end kits too for half off new

Buy used

 

[coljar]

https://www.zoro.com/irwin-hanson-tap-and-die-set-76-pc-high-carbon-steel-26376/i/G2001991/

I bought this USA made set because I didn't have any good metric taps and half the standard sets I had were broken or missing. I bought it when Zoro was having a 25% off sale.

 

[Dennis Leigh Henry]

Get high speed steel if you use them a lot.. Carbon steel if not....

 

[PassnThru]

Again,
There are over 200 used tap and die sets on Ebay right now

Some really nice higher end kits too for half off new

Buy used

Isn't that sorta like saying that you should buy used drill bits?

 

[zr52002]

You dont want new production from either sears or gearwrench, they are carbon steel and dont really hold up

The suggestion build your own set from high speed steel taps from mcmaster/msc is a good one. The harbor freight sets are HSS, and cheap, and get good reviews. I would get one of those so you have everything covered, then buy good spares from mcmaster/msc for the sizes you find you actually use.

As to the gearwrench tap handle, its handy at times but the ratchet direction has a way of getting flipped accidentally. It also lacks a recess for using it with a tap guide in a drill press or mill

 

[crasher98]

I have the Norseman drill & tap sets in NC and metric. Haven't needed NF yet but if I do I'll get Norseman for that too because they have worked great the very few times I've needed them:

http://www.norsemandrill.com/Drill-Tap-Sets.php

I didn't get a set with dies because I couldn't think of a time that I would need them; if I needed soemthing threaded I would get threaded rod from home depot or somewhere, and for thread chasing I have a thread chasing set. With the drill/tap set you get the right size drill bit for each tap, which is good because they're odd sizes and the taps are worthless without them. Added bonus is that the gray/gold drill bits look very cool.

 

[bgarrett]

the Sears Craftsman sets that were made in the 60's and 70's were top grade.

After 35 years of use on my old taps and dies, I bought a new set of the Irwin. That was a mistake. Yesterday I got an old set of Craftsman from an estate sale. They were incredibly inexpensive and appear to be unused. I recommend estate sales for high quality and giveaway prices

 

[cherrybomb]

I like the reply of building my own set,in the sizes I really use alot from one of the machine shop sites.They are in a speciality business and have vast knowledge. There are so many different solutions and taps and lubes for different materials.You also want to have quality drill bits,as over or undersized holes will bite you.A quality tap wrench,forget the crescent.Get a chart that tells you sizes of driils,there are metric,letter,number,fraction,you have to think like a machinist.It makes a big difference if you are chasing a thread or cutting a new one.The tooling might effect the quality.Practice a bit before,if a tap or set can't perform in practice,its time to upgrade.Another sitiuation where you want confidence in your tool selection and your abilities. Don't skimp,buy once.

 

[Jtels85]

I have the latest Craftsman 75 pc. MM/SAE tap & die set (made in China). It was on sale awhile back and with shopyourway points and surprise points, I wound up paying $60 out-the-door. I have used it now at least a dozen times and it has been fantastic. I’m normally skeptical of anything Craftsman these days, but so far so good. I trust it more than my Dad’s set from Harbor Freight which has been nothing short of a disaster.

I was told that the current Craftsman tap & die’s are made by the same manufacturer as the Gearwrench offerings. It would make sense since most of Craftsman’s tools are supplied by Apex. Anyone know if there’s any truth to that?

 

[2oolhound]

Irwin/Hanson sets are now made in china too. I bought a used 41 pc set for $5 to keep as spares but I haven't tried any of it out yet. You have to buy the old sets for USA.