Taps and Dies

[madjakmclaferty]

Hi,

I have decided to buy a set of taps and dies for general use, I'll be using them by hand but also may need to use them in my lathe as well. I have decided to buy HSS and would like to buy a set as you always seem to need things at 10pm on Sunday when you can't buy things.

My question is what to go for. I have Googled and found various sets available, do I go for the cheapest HSS set available or just buy once but good?

Are Lyndon any good and what do you think of these:

http://http://www.tap-die.com/contents/en-uk/p36.html

These seem pricey, can't afford them anyway but are they worth it:

http://www.mscjlindustrial.co.uk/LYN-20003J/SEARCH:CATEGORY/product.html

Also, is it best to go with first/second/bottoming or with second/bottoming do just as well?

Been meaning to buy something to replace my shocking hika set that have destroyed more than they have fixed.....


Has any one brought from these guys:

http://www.engineering-supplies.com/subcat.asp?id=180

 

[Shug]

Can't comment on above, but buy once but good.
I got a set of cheapish ones. Useful for cleaning threads, but not much cop at actually cutting new ones any number of times.

 

[busastars]

I was after the same thing ages ago, I searched ebay for ages and finaly landed a set of Hanson/Irwin tap & dye set, exactly the same as the Snap onn & Blue Point sets, they usuraly sell for around £200-230 ish. I got my set for about £50.

 

[madjakmclaferty]

Thanks for your comments guys, I'd rather buy a good set if I can.

Has anyone got experience of any of the sets in the links or buying from those suppliers?

 

[Mikey D]

hi i have used the last supplier (engineering supplies) for some rotabroach parts , had good service from them

cheers mike

 

[busastars]

Here was my post, just may help.

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=11101&highlight=tap+die

 

[Shox Dr]

www.tracytools.com

 

[NTwoO]

Mentioned a imo very good set in the "old faithful" tool thread. A similar set must be available in the UK. It looks like the Bruder-Mannesman set is the same as the one mentioned.

 

[madjakmclaferty]

There seems to be a lot of support for the Hanson style set and NTwoO, that set looks immense. Can't see anything like that in the UK though!

Shox Dr, whats the quality of the HSS Stuff like from Tracy Tools?

Thanks again for your replies.

 

[Welderpaul]

If your not in a rush to get a full set, why not buy them singularly on ebay? They are very regularly listed, and even the good makes - e.g Dormer, go for pennies.

 

[Shox Dr]

Shox Dr, whats the quality of the HSS Stuff like from Tracy Tools?

It's good, I asked them to make up a set of obscure metric and UNF taps and Dies I needed for the stuff I was working on. If you are not fussy on make they will supply what they find first. However if you are specific then they will accommodate whatever you want.

Best off giving them a call, I have always found them to be very helpful, and willing to go that bit extra.

I little example, I used to import Hand built MTB frames (Boulder Bikes)from the states, one came over with the threads ever so slightly damaged by welding where the damper threaded into the frame (7005 series Ali)

Problem was the tap I need was 1 7/8" x28

I gave them a call, expecting a "Ooooooooooooooh that'll cost you". Instead they offered to send me out the tap, so long as I removed the protective wax carefully, and return. Total cost for the use of 5quid

Oo Oo another one for you, I bought a set of adjustable reamers from them and they were ****e, gave them a call, and they agreed said they were in the process of calling all those that had bought them. I didn't require anything from them so sent me a Credit (I could of had my money back). about a yr passes and I'm ******ed if I can find this credit note, gives them a call and believe it or not. "No problem we remember them, they were ****e" came the reply, "what do you want," they sent me the Drill sets I asked for and sent them Postage free.

Now I call that customer service

 

[rory1]

make sure you get split dies, the cheap ones tend to not have a split in them making them (in my opinion) ok for cleaning threads but useless for cutting new threads.

 

[NTwoO]

make sure you get split dies, the cheap ones tend to not have a split in them making them (in my opinion) ok for cleaning threads but useless for cutting new threads.

Why is this?

My cheap set has no split, but cuts like a machine. I usually put the bit that needs cutting in the drill press and place the die in the chuck on the press table. This gives neat straight cuts that start properly.

 

[madjakmclaferty]

I thought that the split allows the cut to be adjusted to allow you to make a thread larger/smaller to adjust the fit. I was thought to start large and tighten on subsequent cuts. Don't know how true this is but seemed to work OK.

Thanks to everyone for your comments, really helpful. I'm going to give Tracy Tools a call.

 

[rory1]

the split allows the cut to be adjusted to allow you to make a thread larger/smaller to adjust the fit. I was thought to start large and tighten on subsequent cuts.

thats it. not so important on smaller diameters but very handy on larger ones.

 

[Litemoth]

Try Buck & Hickman or Cromwell ...Cheap industrial grade ...catalogues are online but there's always a bit of slack in the price if you go to the counter!

 

[NTwoO]

thats it. not so important on smaller diameters but very handy on larger ones.

Had a look, my dies are split from M10 up. M9 and smaller are not split.