31 replies to this topic

[Gaz66]

Any recommendations for a decent tap and die set? A Metric and imperial set would be ideal.
It seems there are lots available on the net but the cheap prices are putting me off...they cant be any good or are they.
Are they all much the same or will the cheap ones cut one thread then be useless?
Its a tapping minefield out there!

[Icey]

I buy most of my machine tools (including taps/dies) from arceurotrade.co.uk they tend to only do metric stuff though.

A brand I stubbled into while buying some odd imperial sizes was Volkel, they’re really nicely made but not cheap. I’ve been back-filling my set with them as the cheap ones break/wear out.

Also remember that you really need matching drill sizes to go with the threading gear. Getting decent imperial drill sets seems to be getting tricky. I recently bought a set from Presto which is pretty good but not the cheapest (£130 if memory serves), there just didn’t seem to be many options out there.

[nicklouse]

Any recommendations for a decent tap and die set? A Metric and imperial set would be ideal.
It seems there are lots available on the net but the cheap prices are putting me off...they cant be any good or are they.
Are they all much the same or will the cheap ones cut one thread then be useless?
Its a tapping minefield out there!

This might help

https://www.theminif...l=imperial taps

[Gaz66]

Is it better to buy individually as I need them I wonder.
Theres a lot of bad reviews especially concerning the wrenches

[Spider]

Is it better to buy individually as I need them I wonder.
Theres a lot of bad reviews especially concerning the wrenches

 

It depends if you think you'll have other uses for them.

For a Mini, if you bought;-

 

1/4" UNF
5/16" UNF
5/16" UNC

3/8" UNF

 

That will cover probably 90% of the car.

[MatthewsDad]

Machine Mart do an affordable, reasonable quality imperial set that will cover most situations

[Gilles1000]

I bought this one:

BGS

 

Quite happy with it, although I can see it's not the best quality, but for cleaning some threads OK enough until now :). Let's see when I will have cut 10 new threads.

[mini13]

I tend to buy tap sets as I need them, then you can get the sets with three taps in, taper, plug and bottom.

[ac427]

I tend to buy tap sets as I need them, then you can get the sets with three taps in, taper, plug and bottom.

 

Did you mean taper, second and bottom?

[ac427]

Any recommendations for a decent tap and die set? A Metric and imperial set would be ideal.
It seems there are lots available on the net but the cheap prices are putting me off...they cant be any good or are they.
Are they all much the same or will the cheap ones cut one thread then be useless?
Its a tapping minefield out there!

 

Have a look at the link below, Tap and Die have been going for years, since 1978.

 

http://www.tapdie.com/ and http://www.tapdie.co...s_products.html

 

Probably best to give them a call since they are very helpful and stock every thread standard known to Man.

Edited by ac427, 15 August 2022 - 10:18 AM.

[GraemeC]

For cleaning threads I suggest using thread chasers rather than a tap or die.

A tap or die could cut more away (especially where the originally thread was rolled) and in some cases this can cause the threadform to be under/over size.

 

Thread chasers are far more forgiving and can generally be used much quicker and safer.

I would only use a tap or die to rescue a damaged thread, and even then I'd question whether a new fastener (or thread insert) would be a better repair.

[mini13]

 

I tend to buy tap sets as I need them, then you can get the sets with three taps in, taper, plug and bottom.

 

Did you mean taper, second and bottom?

 

Yep, second is better terminology,  generally in my experience plug refers to the second, but I have seen plug refering to the bottom tap, dunno if thats a UK/US thing or what.

[PoolGuy]

Is it better to buy individually as I need them I wonder.
Theres a lot of bad reviews especially concerning the wrenches

Personally I buy them separately, and use Starrett handles which I find superb. I've used Tracy Tools and occasionally ebay for the actual taps depending on how often I think they'll be used.

[ac427]

 

 

I tend to buy tap sets as I need them, then you can get the sets with three taps in, taper, plug and bottom.

 

Did you mean taper, second and bottom?

 

Yep, second is better terminology,  generally in my experience plug refers to the second, but I have seen plug refering to the bottom tap, dunno if thats a UK/US thing or what.

 

Ah yes it could be.  I have always known plug as the last tap in a set for finishing or blind holes.

 

Does the tool make "General" still exist in the States?

 

I always liked their tools.

Edited by ac427, 15 August 2022 - 01:16 PM.

[Spider]

I did also mean to include in my post above, but HSS - High Speed Steel - Taps and Dies, though are tougher are less likely to break. These are usually bight in appearance. The types that are Black are usually (a) Carbon Steel and often brittle, you'll end up with a $1 tap broken off in a $1000 part.

Agree too with Graeme's advice on buying thread chasers.