'Cheap' Tap and Die Sets

[s410man]

How much work will it create if one breaks?

Tapping a hole in a flat plate maybe a minor inconvenience if you've got to knock a broken tap out from the other side but if your tapping a blind hole in a restricted area a broken tap could cause hours of work

Id say maybe buy the main common sizes in good quality dormer, presto, hall etc then maybe a big set to get the uncommon sizes you'll only use once a year

 

[Robotstar5]

I picked up a cheap UNF/UNC US Pro set when I got my old tractor, only used them for cleaning dirty/rusty threads and they seem to work fine.

 

[Nomad]

The blue set above is very similar to my cheap fine / std / coarse set, it was bought for cleaning existing threads and it has done exactly what was needed from it.
For actually tapping hole I have a decent metric set of taps + a good mix of quality taps.
I'd also recommend a decent tap holder, I have a few older ones, much better feel and control than modern mid-spec ones.

 

[Farside]

I was looking for a metric fine set, but then realised I only ever encounter a few m.f. threads in the course of my life, so tracytools can easily supply me with a couple of sizes in good quality start, middle and plug taps for a reasonable sum.

 

[fizzy]

I have tried various cheap sets and they vary from ok to useless. Sometimes in the same set
I tend to buy specific taps/dies that I need off Ebay - new old stock mainly - British like Dormer, Presto or Osborne etc.
The new Presto mini sets are pretty good - 3 taps and a tapping drill in whichever size you want.

 

[dobbslc]

I would go to a local car boot or autojumble and see if you can find some decent quality used gear.
I got a massive box of taps and dies for a good price last year at a boot sale, Dormer Presto, and others of good quality.
This is just some of it.

 

[rtcosic]

I would go to a local car boot or autojumble and see if you can find some decent quality used gear.
I got a massive box of taps and dies for a good price last year at a boot sale, Dormer Presto, and others of good quality......

That was the conclusion I had reached reading all the advice.