Tap and die set

[MattF]

That said, I've bought a couple of sets lightly used off ebay for the HSS dies and while not fantastically finished, the dies do cut adequately

Those taps sets just are what they are. Fine for general stuff, & handy to have, but for more precision, buying specific taps comes into its own.

 

[Nomad]

i have a set of those there just all badged up /mine are machine mart along with a host of other names they hold up quite well . used mine a lot

I bought a set from Machine Mart to clean the threads on a motorbike I was restoring, took them back ASAP as one of the taps I needed most was defective (it had a burr before hardening so it chewed existing threads rather than cleaning them).
I got a refund and bought from Tracey - very happy with that set and it's still my go-to for quality work.

 

[Jelly_Sheffield]

I got a decent M3-M16 set in a metal case from Sherwood when I asked the same question about 2 years ago.

It's discounted to 130 quid currently on Cromwell.

Although if it had been available at the time I could have been swayed by a M3-M12 set of Gühring gold ring spiral flute taps for £87.

 

[Joe 90]

Their registered address is the LUX pot shop in Seattle.

Caveat emptor

Yes i know, thats why its in dollars. It still says free postage to the UK.

 

[keithski122]

The thing is a lot of those sets are incomplete, ie no m7, m9 or m11. They also don't have alternative pitch sizes. I also like how the irwin dies are hexagonal so you can use them in a socket. I know I can get the extras individually but it all adds up the cost , then you have to store them.
Thanks for everyones help but I think I'll bite the bullet and get the set that I previously had as I never regretted buying it last time.

 

[Kram]

M7, M9, M11 etc are odd sizes that should not be in general use. They are not part of the general metric standard.

You can make a part with M13.50 with a 1.4mm pitch, if obscurity is what you want, to prevent parts being interchangable with another manufacturer. Thats exactly what M7, M9 and M11 are. The odd sizes do see occasional automotive use, Honda like to use reducing exhaust studs, M8 to M7, to ensure they snap. In that sitation a lathe will let you screw cut nearly every possible combination, so get a lathe instead

 

[keithski122]

Ordered.
Both lambretta and vespa(which I might/do have) use m7, as do french cars(which I'd never have!).
As its a get me out of the poop set its best that I have all variations of metric thread that I may come across.
The money doesn't bother me too much as I've been paid out by insurance for stolen tools.

 

[Kram]

Fair enough tho my choice would be scrap the Lambretta/Vespas/all french cars, and get a proper bike

 

[keithski122]

I could kill myself as easily on my 300cc vespa as I could a "proper" bike. I did have a couple of rd350's in my youth though, fun bikes.

 

[Keithmac]

After having a huge amount of my tools stolen I'm in the need for a new metric tap and die set, I don't want individual pieces. Previously I had a mac tools set which is the same as snap on and really just a rebranded irwin hanson set. I'd like to get similar and could get the same set but its £25 more than I want to spend(£175ish), though if I have to I will. Does anyone know of comparable sets ?
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I use the Snap-on version of that kit at work and they are very good quality and handy being in the case.

I have a set of Goliath taps and dies at home, these are excellent but no case, means a bit of looking needed to find them.

I'd pay the extra £25 and go with your original set imho.

 

[Kram]

Anyway to add to my recommendation, arc euro currently have bigger taps and dies at a very good price and as I have a use for some, though I should get the ones I didnt have already... A set of M9 has snuck in there some how...

I also got these recently
M16 HSS die for £8

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003IHVDA8

M20 HSS die for £10

https://www.amazon.co.ukdp/B003IHVDB2

 

[keithski122]

I use the Snap-on version of that kit at work and they are very good quality and handy being in the case.

I have a set of Goliath taps and dies at home, these are excellent but no case, means a bit of looking needed to find them.

I'd pay the extra £25 and go with your original set imho.

I ordered the set saturday evening from amazon as thet were the cheapest though I'd only found one other uk supplier, they'd arrived by sunday lunch time!
The set is nice though I think the quality has gone down slightly in the twenty+ years since I bought the mac set, hopefully it'll just sit in my toolbox with ever getting used as if it does get used it because I've messed something up.