Tap and Dies

[NRS]

Hello
I'm new to the site (Great Site) I'm needing a Tap and Die set. I have looked at Hansen and Craftsman. I even looked at a one on the MAC truck.
What would you recommend?

[DuckRyder]

I have a Craftsman Metric kit, and a much Smaller "Vermont American" (Home Depot or Lowes) SAE set.

As mentioned by crazy larry the biggest and most obvious thing is the tap and die handles.

I'd look closely at the handles, then chose the best value out of the sets with nice tap and die handles.

BTW

[lobuck76]

I have a craftsman set that I bought used from my dad about 22 years ago. It's nice set. I wouldn't know about the quality of the sets they have now though.

[4x4ford1969]

Try J&L, MSC, or even Granger for taps and dies. The brands I would suggest are, Vermont (not Vermont American), Greenfield, or OSG. OSG may be a bit pricey though. I run a machine shop with CNC machines and use only OSG taps. We just hate to have to burn or drill out broken taps. As far as tap and die handles, I prefer Greenfield. I am assuming since you have been shopping on the Mac tool truck you will not get "sticker shock".

http://www.jlindustrial.com/index.jsp

[victimofwv]

I am also a machinist by trade and agree about the OSG taps. We aslo use Union Butterfield taps

[black70cs]

I'm kinda partial to the Greenfield taps. I tap stainless all the time at work and they work great.

[mrung0wa]

For what it's worth: I worked at a Caterpillar Dealer in the service dept. for 4 years. 2 of those years as the toolroom mgr. I used to buy only Cleveland Taps. The Field mechanics would attach them to their impact wrenches when rethreading bolt holes for the undercarriages on the dozers (Hell, they probably used them on everything they worked on, cause I bought a crap load of 'em!).
Sure they busted up after awhile. At high speeds and dry for that matter. They lasted 4 or 5 times longer than the others!
What a testimonial!

One thing that I do recall is the entire shop swore buy those Cleveland Taps!

You'd probaly be fine with a Craftsman set.

Lawrence

[Leadfoot]

you call me a madman.

I worked in a foundry for three years, The only time I used air tools with taps was on aluminum. boy I am impressed!

I get away with a cheeper set of taps and dies, but I crack my metal chips every 1/2 turn, & use the proper tap cutting fluid, I personally found If I mix the fluid wrong they doll, and brake off in the hole allot.

[mrung0wa]

you call me a madman.

I worked in a foundry for three years, The only time I used air tools with taps was on aluminum. boy I am impressed!

I get away with a cheeper set of taps and dies, but I crack my metal chips every 1/2 turn, & use the proper tap cutting fluid, I personally found If I mix the fluid wrong they doll, and brake off in the hole allot.

My Wife and my friends call me "Captain Anal" (because of the way I tackle most of my Projects) but that's the way that my Grandpa taught me how to cut threads. It's not so critical with wood but really a must on the harder stuff...
Most none machine shop people don't realize how important and much easier it makes the job using cutting fluid. Would I do'em dry, no F'n way!


Lawrence

[mrung0wa]

Jd was that you?

Lets see as I recall there was Me of course, God and I guess you were that other kid who sat at the desk with the built-in seat.
Yeah, now I remember you!

I guess that some of us didn't go onto bigger and better things, huh?

No, I don't have any Milk Money, Okay!!!



Lawrence