tap and die set?

[Thrashsmith]

Hi folks, can anyone recommend me a decent tap and die manufacturer and where I can buy a set?
I guess I'd want up to M25 but if that means buying a two seperate size ranges than so be it.

I'm just a blacksmith/metal artist, I'm not a tool maker or precision engineer that needs the best of the best of the best...but I don't want to waste money on junk.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Dieselman 63]

Funny, I just bought an old Stronghold set today, BSW though.

 

[bricol]

Buy what you need when you need it - unless you pay decent money, you aren't going to get a decent set. And I bet you never need some of the ones in it.

I saw a set yesterday - in 37 years of playing and working in engineering, I can't say I've ever needed some of the sizes in it - M7x1 anyone?

 

[Hitch]

A comprehensive set of that range and of reasonable quality would cost a small fortune.

Starter, second and plug taps of all the sizes...when in a lot of general circumstances a second is adequate.
If you want to build a set slowly I'd be inclined to buy 6,8,10,12 second taps and a suitable tap wrench as a starting point, then add things like dies and bigger taps as and when you have the need.

 

[Ton-up]

Cromwell tools Sherwood stuff is pretty good for the price.

 

[steveo3002]

- M7x1 anyone?

reverse switch on a vw o2a gearbox ....try finding the bolts in stainless

 

[normspanners]

M7x1 anyone?

Getting VERY common in engines now, bmw VW fiat peugeot all using M7 in fact was doing one the other day vw water pump the three bolts are M7, I ran the thread lock clean with a tap, also a lot of head bolts are M9

 

[bogbushcricket]

I have had this set for years. Has done all that I have asked of it for farm use.

Think it was only half the price when I bought it, so shows how long ago it was purchased !!!!!!!!!!!

https://www.spaldings.co.uk/buildin...ecraft-97-piece-tap-die-set-(metric-imperial)

 

[normspanners]

vw o2a gearbox ....try finding the bolts in stainless

yeh funny enough was doing that a few mths ago, for some reason they get tight !! and speedo drive on early golf /montego

 

[bricol]

reverse switch on a vw o2a gearbox ....try finding the bolts in stainless

Think I'd be tapping out to M8 . .. or inserting for M6 . . ;-)

 

[Mr shiney]

Buy what you need when you need it - unless you pay decent money, you aren't going to get a decent set. And I bet you never need some of the ones in it.

I saw a set yesterday - in 37 years of playing and working in engineering, I can't say I've ever needed some of the sizes in it - M7x1 anyone?

Used a lot on Japanese motorcycles.

 

[optima21]

M7 x1.0mm is also use on brake bleed nipples too I think..... Ive got a M7 x 1.00mm die,but cant remember why I bought it, but I needed it for something

 

[V6BOY]

Will be watching this thread for recommendations also after half decent tap and die set.

 

[Migmac]

Think I got my last tap from cromwells, if I remember correctly they knocked a couple of quid off after I cheekily ask for discount

 

[slimjim]

This set is a useful set, they are all second taps though, but a good range, and they work ok,

You should really buy just the taps you use, and get the set of 3, but this set will cover most and you can add on from there,

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mannesman...230723?hash=item58f4072403:g:1-0AAOSwl8NVVxLj

 

[normspanners]

but I needed it for something

A 7mm bolt?

 

[Arclikeharrypotter]

The sherwood sets are decent, and reasonable price, but I've also used a senator tap and die set which didn't do a bad job to say the least. Think cromwell has just stopped there spring deals aswell as both sets would be even cheaper.

 

[V6BOY]

Slimjim that looks like a pretty decent set you've found there.

 

[normspanners]

I have one of those sets they arnt bad, but the tap wrench are not great for the bigger taps, they do them in unf-unc sets also.

 

[8ob]

There used to be a chap flogging Bergen/US pro gear from the back of a Transit, he showed me this cheapy £40 tap and die set and reckoned if I broke any of it he would replace it ( stupid boy ). Anyway I bought it to shove in the service truck and its done well, the only bits missing are what my lads have lost. Goes up to M18 , 5/8" unc and unf so handy for what it is. As Norm points out the cheap tap wrenches are pants

Bob