SuzukiGS750EZ
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- Apr 26, 2012
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http://northerntool.com/products/shop~tools~product_200631758_200631758
What do you guys think? Worth a buy or no?
What do you guys think? Worth a buy or no?
This tap & die set?
- Thread starter SuzukiGS750EZ
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mayday0017
Well-known member
Link doesn't work
Uncle_Charlie
Well-known member
mayday0017
Well-known member
If it doesn't say USA on it I wouldn't buy it... Tap's & Dies are one thing where quality really matters...
BDT/NWMN
Well-known member
Cheap, China, and Tool in the same sentence.... I have a good quality USA made SAE set that I bought 40 years ago.. Also have some cheap China sets from HF that would compete with that Klutch set ; which may be ok for limited or might be needed use.... You will get what you pay for.... I do not consider my cheapo sets such a wise buy after using them side by side with my good ones..
alan camby
Well-known member
HSS Hanson sets are a good set for the money.
Carbon steel on the dies is pretty much the norm for a home shop.
Carbon steel on the dies is pretty much the norm for a home shop.
wafrederick
Well-known member
The round dies I don't like in that set.I like the hex dies better,you can use a socket or wrench on them.
Steinmetz
Well-known member
The hex dies are not adjustable.
bob15
Well-known member
Round dies are the only way to go.
Buy an adapter to use socket or wrench: URL="http://www.mcmaster.com/#25545a23/=vkfp28"]http://www.mcmaster.com/#25545a23/=vkfp28[/URL]
Buy an adapter to use socket or wrench: URL="http://www.mcmaster.com/#25545a23/=vkfp28"]http://www.mcmaster.com/#25545a23/=vkfp28[/URL]
Those aren't even the best tap & dies at Northern. They sell Hansens and another brand in blue package, made in Japan, they have been very good. I have 2 taps and a die, as well as die stock from them. I just forget the name.
Honestly how many sizes do you need from that set? Let's say you use one, that's a $128 tap. You use two, they're $64 each and so on. How many uses are you going to get out of these vs a $5-10 quality tap or die?
Honestly how many sizes do you need from that set? Let's say you use one, that's a $128 tap. You use two, they're $64 each and so on. How many uses are you going to get out of these vs a $5-10 quality tap or die?
Cope
Well-known member
Craftsman used to make a 1/2" drive deep socket for 1" round dies. I bought one years ago at a garage sale for 50 cents. Some idiot had used it with an impact.
The HF sets are basically mild steel with a Ti coating. You cant get much worse. The GW sets, on the other hand, are made in Asia and are actually really nice.
ttpete
Well-known member
I buy the taps I need and they are top quality HSS made in the US. I have a Snap-On metric set that was given to me and it's nowhere near as good as my taps. I don't use dies as often, but those I have are also HSS.
bwringer
Well-known member
I wouldn't bother unless you're just cleaning threads in aluminum -- it's pretty cheap Chinese stuff. If that's really what you want, at least buy a Harbor Freight set on sale and pay a lot less.
Also, it doesn't include M10X1.25 for some reason -- this is a very common thread size on old Suzukis and most Japanese machinery.
The Gearwrench set NT sells ( linky ) is much nicer, doesn't seem to skip sizes, and is largely made in Taiwan (some GW stuff is made in China, but they do seem to hold the line on quality). About $50 more, which seems worth it. Still carbon steel and not HSS, but then again HSS is expensive as hell.
As pointed out above, a big set is nice to have sometimes, but for the four or five sizes you use 99.9% of the time, get some high-quality HSS made-in-the-first-world taps and dies.
Also, it doesn't include M10X1.25 for some reason -- this is a very common thread size on old Suzukis and most Japanese machinery.
The Gearwrench set NT sells ( linky ) is much nicer, doesn't seem to skip sizes, and is largely made in Taiwan (some GW stuff is made in China, but they do seem to hold the line on quality). About $50 more, which seems worth it. Still carbon steel and not HSS, but then again HSS is expensive as hell.
As pointed out above, a big set is nice to have sometimes, but for the four or five sizes you use 99.9% of the time, get some high-quality HSS made-in-the-first-world taps and dies.
Last edited:
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SuzukiGS750EZ
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Found a Hanson 76 piece combination set for 180$. Is there a set better for around the same price? I didn't want the set with the drill bits as I already have some, so it would be a waste of money.
mayday0017
Well-known member
$180 isn't bad for 76 piece. Irwin, Hanson, Old Craftsman are the same stuff... There are a few other rebrands too think SO but don't quote me. You can typically find good deals on them used in near good condition if you watch for them. I picked up my metric set from pawn shop for $20 looked like new just missing one $8 tap which as it would work out was the 1 tap I already owned and was Irwin as well.
RedneckWelder
Well-known member
If you just want taps only you can get a set of Irwin SAE or Metric taps on Amazon for $60.
Finky198
Well-known member
All of the Snap on tap and die sets are rebranded Irwin Hanson sets
if you need adjustability and good quality USA made then the snap on version is the way to go. They are full HHS and are offer in standard metric and combination set. I would take a look at the 41 piece standard and 41 piece metric that should pretty much cover everything you will ever come across and they can be had used on ebay for 75 -150ea new 200+
they are adjustable double hex die so you have 30thou adjustment for tolerance and proper fitment. The big plus is you can throw a socket right on there for Easy access...
Sorry for my grammar
if you need adjustability and good quality USA made then the snap on version is the way to go. They are full HHS and are offer in standard metric and combination set. I would take a look at the 41 piece standard and 41 piece metric that should pretty much cover everything you will ever come across and they can be had used on ebay for 75 -150ea new 200+
they are adjustable double hex die so you have 30thou adjustment for tolerance and proper fitment. The big plus is you can throw a socket right on there for Easy access...
Sorry for my grammar
Snap-Ons tap and dies are the standard carbon steel, not HSS. Believe me if Snap-On was specialty sourcing HSS the sets would cost thousands, not hundreds. The only advantage they have over their Irwin counterparts is the round die stock with an adjustable screw and a very liberal warranty.
shockwave
Well-known member
Believe it or not best bang for buck look around eBay For nos craftsman branded made late 80-90 Vermont made in hss they can behad pretty cheap thru eBay or craigslist
Katodog
Well-known member
If you want a good set go with the Gearwrench 75pc set. It'll blow you away at how awesome its awesomeness is. Otherwise, just buy the taps and dies you need as you need them, there's no sense in buying a complete set if you're not going to use most of it.