Adriandamian1
Member
Looking for a nice master tap and die set! I need your guys help!!
What's a good Tap and die set?
- Thread starter Adriandamian1
- Start date
bob15
Well-known member
SAE or metric? Are you using it to chases threads or mainly to make new ones?
If making new threads: buy individual 3 taps sets per size (starter, intermediate/middle and a bottoming tap) and purchase round adjustable dies.
If chasing threads, you could still go with the above advise (my preference) or buy a kit from Irwin, C-man, Snappy, Mac, Matco, etc as they are all the same.
If making new threads: buy individual 3 taps sets per size (starter, intermediate/middle and a bottoming tap) and purchase round adjustable dies.
If chasing threads, you could still go with the above advise (my preference) or buy a kit from Irwin, C-man, Snappy, Mac, Matco, etc as they are all the same.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
My Astro Pneumatic metric kit has done me well. This is for tapping specifically. For thread chasing - a thread chaser kit.
NFH2740
Well-known member
Irwin 26377 is as close you will come to a true "master" set in one kit.
More information yields better answers. Are you a hobbyist or tradesman? What do you work on the most often?
The thread cutting tools required for a 1968 Deere 4020 have no suitabilty for a 2018 Deere 8360R.
More information yields better answers. Are you a hobbyist or tradesman? What do you work on the most often?
The thread cutting tools required for a 1968 Deere 4020 have no suitabilty for a 2018 Deere 8360R.
I bought older used Craftsman/Vermont America tap sets and am very pleased with them. Can be had up to 3/4 or 18mm for about $100 per set. Personally I find the thread chasing kits too soft for anything other than mild steel and deformed. The above advice about buying three is good too but going that route I'd buy them as needed.
marineman
Well-known member
I have the mac set as well as their thread chaser set, bought used off the snapon truck. Like was said pretty much all the truck sets are the same. It covers the basics, I've built it out with singles as needed over time for the specialty sizes we use.
toplessHO
Well-known member
I know I ll get flamed but I use my Craftsman Kromedge set almost daily
and have for over 40 yrs. Its price then was around $40 for the 41 piece set.
and have for over 40 yrs. Its price then was around $40 for the 41 piece set.
OP
Adriandamian1
Member
I need it mostly for chasing threads. I work on aircraft propellers .
OP
Adriandamian1
Member
And I'm looking to get both Sae and Metric
Bill C
Well-known member
For thread chasing, the Craftsman 48pc thread restoration set is a phenomenal value. They are made in the USA and are the same kits sold on the tool trucks. These Craftsman USA made kits are readily available on eBay for $50-$70.
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/131489956451
As others have said, For actual taps/dies, I prefer to buy high-quality pieces “as-neeed”. I pretty much only ever need taps and I buy the triple sets (starting, plug, bottoming) when I need a new size. I’ve never needed a die, as I have the c-man thread restoration kit for fixing damaged bolts/studs/etc.
The big Gearwrench set has a lifetime warranty on all pieces. I’m happy with it and have used it side x side with more well known brands at work and at home.
http://www.gearwrench.com/cutting-t...pc-sae-metric-ratcheting-tap-and-die-set.html
http://www.gearwrench.com/cutting-t...pc-sae-metric-ratcheting-tap-and-die-set.html
tonyciambrone
Well-known member
53pc Jawco rethreading kit, same as craftsman I believe
mine has been awesome
also the harbor freight nitride coated set is good for the money on larger sizes, but doesn't cover the important machine screw sizes
mine has been awesome
also the harbor freight nitride coated set is good for the money on larger sizes, but doesn't cover the important machine screw sizes
fatfillup
Well-known member
No flaming on the Kromedge, good product .
I have a Mac master set bought back in the late 90's. Has served me well but doesn't get used often
I have a Mac master set bought back in the late 90's. Has served me well but doesn't get used often
bobcatdan
Well-known member
Where is a good place to buy the three piece sets? My search skills seem to be lacking as I'm not finding them. Even in paper catalogs these kits are eluting me.
RedneckWelder
Well-known member
I have been recommending buying individual US made HSS taps in the sizes you need. Sadly you get mid level quality from the better options of tap/die sets (Irwin/Hansen). I buy a lot of my taps, especially larger ones, off of EBay for cheap. I engrave the size in a larger number on the side
bob15
Well-known member
McMaster & MSC both list them
MSC: https://www.mscdirect.com/browse/tn/Threading/Tap-Sets-Die-Sets/Tap-Sets?navid=12105997+4286978918#navid=12105997
bobcatdan
Well-known member
Thanks. When ever I try searching tap sets, all I get are tap and die kits.
The identical chaser taps and dies are made by Lang, formerly Kastar, and are sold under those names, too.
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The chasers are not supposed to cut. The whole idea is to push the bent or deformed threads back where they belong with minimum loss of material, not to shear it off, as a cutting tap would. People have used an SAE grade 8 or a metric class 10 bolt and cut a few slots in it with a Dremel or other cutoff wheel, as a home made chaser tap. I guess you might make a chaser die with a nut and a jewelers saw.
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I have used this at two different jobs and it is the one I would buy for the house. The ratcheting tap handles are awesome to use.
mbshop
Well-known member
Have used mac and snap on my whole carreer. If I need to chase, I use a new bolt. If yer in aircraft, I would assume new only. I had a three tap set for a long time. Set was for larger bolts as I used to work on mb busses. Unless your making new threaded holes that don't go through, then you don't need a 3 tap set. For most uses, if it is the same sizes, then just get what is needed.
kapster
Well-known member
I'm a machinist at my day job, I tap alot of holes
You can't beat a spiral point (gun tap) for a new hole, not to be confused with a spiral flute tap. A spiral point will roll the chip down the hole and requires no reversals to break the chip, are very free cutting. Traditional hand taps, you almost have to stop and reverse the tap to break chips. If it's a blind hole, you have to dig the chips out of the bottom, kind of a pain but it works. Can follow with a bottom tap if the drilled hole isn't deep enough to get enough threads.
Probably not the best thing for cleaning out threads but I do all the time. I've never used the thread chasers but would like to try a set of them.
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You can't beat a spiral point (gun tap) for a new hole, not to be confused with a spiral flute tap. A spiral point will roll the chip down the hole and requires no reversals to break the chip, are very free cutting. Traditional hand taps, you almost have to stop and reverse the tap to break chips. If it's a blind hole, you have to dig the chips out of the bottom, kind of a pain but it works. Can follow with a bottom tap if the drilled hole isn't deep enough to get enough threads. Probably not the best thing for cleaning out threads but I do all the time. I've never used the thread chasers but would like to try a set of them.
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Either Amazon for Union Butterfield three-piece sets or KBC Tools for R&N. Each set contains taper, plug, and bottoming taps.
KBC has decent prices all the time. Amazon varies wildly, but camelcamelcamel is your friend.
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