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What to look for in tap/die set

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drooartz

drooartz

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I'm far enough into this LBC thing to be at a point where a tap/die set would be handy. I'm working on Spridgets, which are all SAE threads. What do I look for in a tap/die set? Mostly I need to clean out threads in nuts and bolts, but I could see uses for cutting new threads in some places as needed. Any recommended sets or places to go?

I don't have an unlimited budget, but I also don't like buying cheap tools except for truly limited use items.
 
Drew - Youare going to have far more use for taps than dies. I would get a set of dies from Lows, Home Depot, Napa or Sears. It is not necessary to drop a big bundle on a set, but get the most common sizes first, like 1/4 - 28, 5/16 - 24 3/8 - 24 in a plug tap and a bottom tap for each size. I woul also suggest you pick up a 10-32 machine screw tap and a 2BA tap (you'll have to get that from British Tools & Fasteners at: https://www.britishfasteners.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc). Those are the most common sizes you will run into. You can then pick up other sizes and the dies as needed. I would suggest always going to the same place for the dies so that you can get a die stock (handle) that ll of them will fit.
Cheers,
 
Drew, as with most tools you get what you pay for.
If all you're doing is cleaning out threads then cheap ones will be fine; if you're actually cutting new threads into material then you will be sorry when the cheap ones snap off in the middle of the work.
When tapping new holes (blind ones in particular) you need 3 taps for a given size; taper, intermediate and bottoming.
You need to lubricate with cutting oil and keep backing the tap out after every turn or so to clear the cuttings out of the hole. Don't ever try and force it just take your time.
I used to work on the shop floor of a large UK turbine manufacturer 35 years ago so I've broken a few in my time.
 
Picked up a good set for less than $30 at harbor Freight. Had to buy it for broken motor mount bolts on a 7mgte motor we bought. It has really been useful when you need it, is a really good set and was quite reasonable.
 
AltaKnight said:
Drew, as with most tools you get what you pay for.
If all you're doing is cleaning out threads then cheap ones will be fine; if you're actually cutting new threads into material then you will be sorry when the cheap ones snap off in the middle of the work.
When tapping new holes (blind ones in particular) you need 3 taps for a given size; taper, intermediate and bottoming.
You need to lubricate with cutting oil and keep backing the tap out after every turn or so to clear the cuttings out of the hole. Don't ever try and force it just take your time.
I used to work on the shop floor of a large UK turbine manufacturer 35 years ago so I've broken a few in my time.
Click to expand...

Drew:
I second AltaKnight. Breaking a tap off really sucks! Nine times out of ten a tap extractor won`t remove a broken tap. And they are impossible to drill, so you can`t use an easy out on them either. Usualy you will have to resort to trying to weld something or other onto the broken piece of tap to get it out. I also have a set of thread chasers they have proven invaluable many many times. Especialy when cleaning up threads on a critical part where you don`t necessarily want to remove any material. {actually cut new threads} So I vote "Do yourself a favor, go the extra few bucks and get a good quality set". Take care of them use them properly and you will never regret buying good quality.
 
I bought this same set on eBay about a year ago. Far more than I need, but the price was right. Made in USA, high quality, sells at Grainger for about $270

8b59_1.JPG
 
If I'm really just interested in cleaning up threads, what do I need to find? Is it just a thread chaser, or should I get the other sorts of taps as well?
 
You'll need about a half dozen taps - 10, 1/4, 5/16, 7/16, 3/8 in fine and course should do it.

My theory on tools... I buy the best I can and keep them for a lifetime.
 
Thanks for the tips. I'll probably get a few that I need now, and look into a quality set later on.
 
A quick followup, I was down in the city today, and stopped by Sears. Bought one of their tap/die sets, what looks to be a good quality USA made one. Used it to clean up a screw and captive nut, worked beautifully. Thanks to all for the advice.
 

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I have two sets of Sears tap & die sets. I've had the metric set for nearly 10 years (mainly worked on modern cars and bicycles - all metric)and the SAE after we aquired a classic Volvo 1800ES a couple of years ago (mostly SAE).

I had H-F sets before these. Looked great... and Cheap. until I needed to cut new threads in a titanium bike frame. Fought with that tap for a 1/2 hour before heading to Sears... the new tap cut the threads in 30 seconds. In 6/4 Ti. The H-F sets went directly into the trash... maybe they're ok for chasing or cleaning threads, but I found them lacking when I needed to make new threads.
 
Hello Drooartz,

no one seems to have mentioned that taps and dies are generally made either in high carbon steel or high speed steel.

The latter, usually marked HSS are the ones to buy. High carbon steel ones wear out so much quicker. I hope you got the better ones?
Alec
 
Alec - I did get the high speed steel ones. Spent the extra money, and no regrets at all. I've used them now for a couple of projects, and have been happy with my choice.
 
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