Tap & Die starter set advice?

[jeepnut24]

Ok, I have found myself wanting a tap and die / thread chaser set more and more with each new project. I guess mainly to clean up threads. Most of the time it is metric parts. What is a good place to start with a set? I can remember the shear numbers that my grandfather had in his shop and it is mind boggling. Where should I start size wise? Decent brands, etc...

 

[MotoDave]

My advice is not to bother with cheap sets. I've problems in the past with cheap taps breaking off, and then you've got a big hassle trying to fix it. My preference is to buy just the sizes you need for the project at the time, and make sure to get high quality taps. Eventually you'll have most of a set and can fill in the blanks.

 

[mrshaun]

warranty warranty warranty.... irwin makes a lot of them.. just make sure you can warranty it easy.
do you have a tool truck that comes by?

 

[SGKent]

I have a Craftsman set that has lasted really well for years. I don't know what quality they sell today but this one from the 1970's was American made. You might look on Ebay for a good used Craftsman set or visit Sears to see what they sell today. Do stay away from the cheap sets.

 

[mikevango]

you can get the craftsman thread repair kit for $49.99 at sears. it is made in the usa and would be a good start.
also look for a used tap and die kit. i got a napa set (looks unused) from ebay for about $40.00 and it is made in the usa.

 

[mikevango]

I have a Craftsman set that has lasted really well for years. I don't know what quality they sell today but this one from the 1970's was American made. You might look on Ebay for a good used Craftsman set or visit Sears to see what they sell today. Do stay away from the cheap sets.

the new craftsman sets are china.

 

[devilphrog]

If I am not mistaken aren't the Craftsman Rethreading Kits the same as the Snap On rethread kit meaning built by Kastar? I think this was its own thread a few weeks back. I too would like to make the tap and die plunge but am waiting on the perfect opportunity

 

[sputnikv8]

If I am not mistaken aren't the Craftsman Rethreading Kits the same as the Snap On rethread kit meaning built by Kastar? I think this was its own thread a few weeks back. I too would like to make the tap and die plunge but am waiting on the perfect opportunity

This is correct. Its the first set I bought and its been great so far. Its not super aggressive which, as a rookie, I prefer right now.

 

[Skin]

A cheap set will suffice, especially if you're only going to be chasing threads and not drilling/cutting new ones. Just remember to always use a lubricant and to back out and clean the metal often and you wont have a problem. Trying to cut threads dry will break any tap after enough time.

My only caveat with new sets these days is the T wrenches and tap wrenches often **** in many of the newer sub $100 sets i've had my hands on. I have ones that are about 20 years old and they feel much more solid so i stick with that.

 

[Brookesy]

Are the snap-on tap & die sets worth buying or is there another make thats equally as good or better?

 

[sberry]

I am not sure what I would buy today but uses for tap and dies are so common a set is a thing I would invest in, collect larger ones as needed.

 

[ZRX61]

Are the snap-on tap & die sets worth buying or is there another make thats equally as good or better?

In the UK I'd go through these guys:
http://www.tracytools.com/index.htm

Snap On don't make their own ties & dies...

 

[lilredex]

A good starter set is something like this:

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brow...pc%2BTap%2B%2526%2BDie%2BSet.jsp#BVRRWidgetID

The secret to using any tap is to quit just before you snap it off, takes practice and you do get the feel of it. Don't have that set, but do many of them like that and am at the stage where I break off very few.

If you have just a few threads to clean off, you can make your own chasers as shown. Really good for cleaning off dirt and rust and threads that aren't too f'up yet!

 

[woody 73]

I have one very old set of sae from craftsman that is a very nice set. Thirty years ago I never thought that I would need a metric set; the new set (metric) from craftsman keep breaking I do not use that much force.

Try looking for Hanson I hear they make a nice set of taps and dies. The problem with used sets is that you do not know how much life is left in those old taps and dies.

 

[y20dth]

A. BUDGET SOLUTION.

Buy a set by BST. (that's what is says on the box, sadly I have not found it on the web, maybe you'll see it displayed somewhere...).

B. QUALITY SOLUTION.


One of the best brands out there is Gühring.

German made, and apearantly, also available in the US (http://www.guhring.com/AboutUs/Distributor.aspx).


1. The startersets in supermarkets, DIY-stores and stuff, are usually ****.
2. If available, buy "machine-taps". You only need 1 tap instead of 3. And they are usually of better quality.
3. If available buy taps for blind holes (they are flat at the end and makes it possible to thread blind holes, but can also tap normal holes).

A small starterset has: M3,4,5,6,8,10,12
A bigger starterset has: M3,4,5,6,8,10,12,14,16,18,20

When you have those, you're pretty much equipped.

Price of taps is highly dependent on the material it is made to cut.
I don't know the prices in the US, but here a good quality (machine)tap costs somewhere between €15 and €50 (real exotic ones go up to €300).

Dies are about the same.

Happy hunting !

 

[crewchief888]

If I am not mistaken aren't the Craftsman Rethreading Kits the same as the Snap On rethread kit meaning built by Kastar? I think this was its own thread a few weeks back. I too would like to make the tap and die plunge but am waiting on the perfect opportunity

if you're just chasing dinged up threads a rethreader set is the way to go.
i have dies that are 50+ years old and still work fine.
some may dispute this, but i hate SO taps and tap handles.
taps are hard and brittle, the tap handles are a POS ive had 4 warrantied in as many weeks. and just broke 2 more on wed 1 split the adustable anvil ( as usual ) the other broke in the corner. i grabbed a 25 year old new britan handle, and had no problem.
i rarely see a SO guy anymore, ive been buying erwin taps & extractors, and bosch/dewalt drills as i need them.
my luck they're all made by the same company, i just have the worst luck with the SO's it seems

 

[jmauld]

I started with a cheap set, and ended up replacing every piece as I used it. Start with the best set you can afford. If you can't afford a quality set, buy them one at a time as you need them.

Even the handle in the cheap set needed to be replaced.

 

[Wildfire]

Buy a Greenfield Industries set from MSC. I have a cheap set and one of these. HUGE difference in feel and performance. Cheap set from Lowes is warrantied forever, but they don't help you dig the tap out of the hole in your priceless whatever it's stuck in. Guhring is also good. Stay away from the Chinese stuff, but you already knew that.

 

[JerseyJim]

I bought a 76 piece Irwin Hanson set that I am really pleased with. I have used it quite a bit. Decent quality. No problems. Very complete, SAE & Metric. eToolDirect has this set for $135. That's a great deal.

 

[Skyline]

Are the snap-on tap & die sets worth buying or is there another make thats equally as good or better?

Not worth buying. Easily waranteeable if you've got a Snsp-on dealer, but these are not great taps. S-o should really find a better supplier. Their rethreading sets seem to be fine though.

I think the best, modest cost solution is to buy an older, USA made Craftsman set on eBay. When you break a tap, order a replacement from MSC for that individual item, instead of excercising Craftsman's warrantee.

 

[sberry]

I don't think they replace taps at Cman. Up a couple posts Jim says he paid 133$ for a set, sounds reasonable and a good place to start. Auto parts or hwd stores carry individuals for extra or replacements. My common sizes get dull from rust, not that big of deal to replace one once in a while. On occasion one gets modified.

 

[mikevango]

here's the set i just got. i was worried because it didn't say made in the usa in the listing. luckily all pieces are marked usa.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...260658&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_500wt_1182

 

[fatfillup]

Also get a pair of thread files for dressing up bolt threads. Very handy and like thread chasers they don't take away much metal.

Some great advice here. I've bought several Ace Hanson sets at auctions and they look as nice as my Mac set.

 

[jeepnut24]

warranty warranty warranty.... irwin makes a lot of them.. just make sure you can warranty it easy.
do you have a tool truck that comes by?

Weekend warrior, so no...

I don't plan on getting cheapies if I can help it.

Should I just buy them one at a time as I need them instead of a set???

Which oil is a good for this?

Sounds like Irwin is the best option.

What are these threading files???

 

[sberry]

A decent set is great to start with. They are tools that you need when you need them. Get a can of Rapid Tap or Tap Magic, it goes a long ways. Add a 14 mm for spark plug holes.
Unlike the pullers you were considering this is a place to go for a set.

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

Anyone have any experience with the GearWrench tap and die sets?

http://www.gearwrench.com/catalog/specialty_tools/ratcheting_tap_and_die/setdetails.jsp?part=82812

 

[Skin]

good set, bad wrenches if you're use to going forward and then backing off in one quick motion to get a clean thread. Being GW they couldnt resist sticking a ratcheting mechanism into the wrench so you'd have to keep flipping the switch.

 

[sberry]

Nice looking set, would cover most home mechanic needs for sure, how much is that puppy?

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

It varies all over the internet. Sears wants 299 and Tooltopia wants 227. I usually go to Tooltopia first because I've had great experiences with them.

 

[66HertzClone]

I have a Craftsman fractional set I purchased in the 70's, it was made by Vermont American. It is a 58 pc. set, I later purchased a metric set (58 pc.) made by Vermont American. Both have help up well, none have broken, but I'm not tapping or treading supper hard materials either.

 

[sberry]

here's the set i just got. i was worried because it didn't say made in the usa in the listing. luckily all pieces are marked usa.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...260658&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_500wt_1182

I have that one in metric, bought it when someone walked off with my major set. Did have to add 14 mm and a couple others though.