Vintage Bay State Tap & Die Set

[rshadd]

Here's my vintage tap and die set. It was made by Bay State Tap & Die Co. out of Mansfield, Mass. My Grandfather bought it years ago from a local hardware store for $21.

They're a bit rusty and it still work OK, but I've been thinking that's it's time for an upgrade.

I've lookin' at the Gearwrench 82812 114 Peice Large Combination Tap and Die Set, but I'm wondering what you guys think of this set or this something else I should be considering?

 

[Mavawreck]

I'm in the market for a tap and die set, from what I've been learning, it really depends on what you want to do with it.

The Harbor Freight sets will work, but expect to break a few pieces. Fine for the homeowner who is mainly just cleaning threads.

If you want a slightly better set, Irwin isn't a bad choice.

If you can hold out for awhile, an older USA made Craftsman set is a good buy or similar tool truck offering.

I don't know anything about the Gearwrench set, my guess is that it would be better than the Harbor Freight sets and it looks fairly complete.

I'm shopping for a lightly used set, hoping to get USA made and a few more pieces for the cost of a new homeowner grade set-up.

 

[rusty65]

Thats a cool vintage set thank you for pictures.

 

[lilredex]

That is a neat set, you are so lucky to have it complete and with a history that means something.

I think if you buy a big set like you show, most of it will remain idle. When I started out, I only bought a few as needed, on sale/clearance or specials as required.

Used tool stores also have selections of new larger taps if you find you need them.

Here are some of mine...

If I feel energetic this winter, I may make a case for those metric taps along this line:

 

[Outlawmws]

Here's my vintage tap and die set. It was made by Bay State Tap & Die Co. out of Mansfield, Mass. My Grandfather bought it years ago from a local hardware store for $21.

They're a bit rusty and it still work OK, but I've been thinking that's it's time for an upgrade.

I've lookin' at the Gearwrench 82812 114 Peice Large Combination Tap and Die Set, but I'm wondering what you guys think of this set or this something else I should be considering?

I'm not sure you want to spend the kind of coin an "upgrade" might cost!

Get the rust off those, and use em! (I'd do a vinegar soak for those...) Clean wood parts of the box with Murphy's oil soap, and call it good...